Two businesses in Orewa are caught up in a nationwide police crackdown on the Comanchero Motorcycle Gang. Police allege the Comancheros are operating as an organised criminal group conducting a complex money laundering operation, drug importation and supply operations, and a ‘commission’ scheme to fund, among other things, military-style training for some of its members.
The businesses are Olivers cafe and the adjacent Coast bites and brews bar, on Hibiscus Coast Highway.
When their long-time owners sold them last year, the new owner became Viliami Semisi Havea. According to the NZ Companies Register, he was appointed sole shareholder and director of BNS Co Limited and sole
shareholder and director of BNS Group Limited on May 1, 2023. (BNS Co Limited trades as Oliver’s. BNS Group Limited trades as Coast bites and brews.)
In February this year, Havea was replaced as sole shareholder and director by Anh Thi Vo.
The following month, the Auckland High Court granted the Commissioner of Police a restraining order under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act, preventing 10 respondents from selling or disposing of property, including houses and Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Respondent number one was the imprisoned leader of the NZ Comancheros, Pasilika Naufahu. Respondent number three was Viliami Semisi Havea.
When Police Commissioner Andrew
Patched cafes
Coster last week announced progress in the multi-phased Comanchero investigation campaign, he said police alleged that the ‘commission’ processes raised funds to purchase a gang pad, two businesses and firearms. He did not name the businesses.
“Police will also allege that these funds were being used to carry out military-styled training of 15 of its members by a trainer brought into the country for this purpose,” Coster said.
Accumulatively, 137 charges have been laid against gang members and associates. Those charged included 17 office holders, 10 patched members and 14 prospects of the gang.
The phase of the police operation focusing on money laundering concluded in March.
Eleven people were charged, including “professional facilitators, who it will be alleged did the money laundering for the gang”, Coster said.
The Comancheros emerged in Sydney in the 1960s, became heavily involved in drug smuggling and were linked to more than a dozen gangland killings in Australia. In New Zealand, patched members have been accused of drug dealing, money laundering and the illicit firearms trade.
Minister of Police and Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell declined to comment, citing ongoing investigations.
The current owner of Oliver’s and Coast, Anh Thi Vo, denied any association with the Comancheros, but declined to comment further.
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Two Ōrewa residents facing criminal charges in connection with the discovery of a woman’s body in the sea in Gulf Harbour in March appeared again in the North Shore District Court last week.
Kaixiao Liu, 37, and Lanyue Xiao, 36, were remanded on bail until December 12, when their trial will move to the Auckland District Court.
The pair are not charged with the murder of the unidentified female victim, but are charged with “offering an indignity” to the body. Police investigations continue and no-one has been charged with the murder.
Bail conditions require Liu and Xiao to stay at an address in Harvest Avenue, Ōrewa, with a nightime curfew in place
They are also prohibited from making contact with three individuals, named as Hong Chen, Tao Zhang and Xiaohui Hu.
Court documents released to Hibiscus Matters say Liu and Xiao interfered with a body on March 8, four days before a fisherman fouund it wrapped in bags.
Police described the victim as a petite woman of Asian ethnicity and made public photos of distinctive clothing she was
wearing, including pyjama pants. An Ōrewa resident who saw the photos in the press recalled having seen a woman wearing pyjamas, walking with two other people in central Ōrewa in March. She notified police who studied CCTV footage (HM, July 15)
Police continue to appeal to the public for any information that could assist in identifying the victim. Phone 0800 755 021, 105 or visit www.police.govt.nz/ use-105, using Update My Report and reference file number 240312/9837.
Kaixiao Liu, left, and Lanyue Xiao in court last week.
Hot under the collar around uniform ‘refresh’
Out with hoodies and sandals, in with blazers and ties. Whangaparāoa College’s move to a more formal uniform continues to upset some in the community, but the principal says the changes came after a consultation process and maintains that they will reinforce “a sense of belonging and equality”.
In addition to a survey, Principal Steve McCracken says the college carried out “learner focus groups, with learners trying on a variety of uniform options from other schools”.
“On completion of the survey, and in response to the results and feedback from the learner focus groups, a design process was undertaken.”
“You gave feedback, and we listened,” the school said in an update last month.
Information released by the school showed levels of support for the various options, including blazers (for the whole school, or seniors) – 51.1 per cent • hoodie – 64 per cent • trousers – 62 per cent • knee-length skirt – 53.8 per cent • long skirt – 14.1 per cent • gender-neutral uniform option – 20.6 per cent
The school did not include in the information the level of support (or lack thereof) for the wearing of ties, but parents say it fell below one per cent.
A total of 1384 people responded to the survey. Of them, 685 were students, 644 were family members and 58 were members of staff.
McCracken said the school board supported the refresh and staff had been very positive, as the changes align with the school’s desire to raise expectations and standards.
Critics have pointed, among other things, to the cost – $180 for a blazer, $85 for a skirt, $75 for a shirt.
“It’s going from casual to the other extreme,” a parent who asked not to be named told the paper. “For me, the reason is optics – to look good. But we’re a beach
community, we’re not the inner city.”
For a school already grappling with behavioural issues, the policy could backfire, he said. Those students who generally follow the rules “will now start getting into trouble, because they don’t agree with buttoning up [shirts] all the way to their necks”.
The new uniform is being introduced from February 2025, compulsory for years 7 and 11, although any student can begin to wear it at any time during the implementation phase.
The full implementation phase is: 2025: New uniform compulsory for years 7 and 11 as well as for prefects.
2026: Year 7-12 students are required to wear the new uniform, although year 13s
may continue to wear the old uniform if they wish.
2027: New uniform compulsory for all students
As for the hoodie, in 2025 year 7s and prefects will no longer be allowed to wear them, and this will apply to all students except year 13 from 2026, when they may only be worn for extra-curricular school activities and outside school hours
McCracken said the purpose of the new uniform was to “raise the standards of our school and ensure our learners are proud of themselves and our school”.
“In response to direct community feedback, we have extended the new uniform implementation phase and this is one way we will ensure the cost is more manageable.”
Fee increases
The government is cracking down on people who misuse car parks for disabled people, ensuring towage fees do not leave tow-truck operators out of pocket, and adjusting parking fines for inflation. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says that parking in an area reserved for disabled people is the epitome of arrogance. “We need to get tough on this selfish behaviour. The current $150 penalty will increase to $750, reflecting the seriousness of this offence. This will send a very clear message that we are serious about addressing accessibility issues. The penalty for abusing mobility parking is far too low compared to other countries such as Australia.” Upston says regulated fees for towage and impoundment have not been updated since at least 2004 and are no longer covering operators’ costs. Transport Minister Simeon Brown says parking infringement fees have also not been updated in two decades. In Auckland, this means that paying a parking ticket is sometimes cheaper than paying for parking. The new fees will be implemented from October 1.
Fashion show approaches
Retailers are confirmed for the annual Destination Orewa fashion show on November 9. Participating stores are Berlin Clothing, Coconut Gallery, Main Street, Chances, VERGE, Underground Skate & Surf, Se Dae (the former Charisma). Pre-loved, upcycled and vintage outlets taking part are The Guru Knows, Harbour Hospice, Salt and the HBC Community House opshop. See Destination Orewa website for more.
Crowdfunding class
Online donation platform Givealittle has launched a free online short course that teaches the fundamentals of crowdfunding. A spokesperson says that while it is designed primarily for Kiwi charities, schools and community groups could benefit from it as well. Givealittle general manager Mel Steel says the Generosity Generator Masterclass enables charities to grow their crowdfunding skills, so they can fundraise more effectively and develop a new income stream to increase their financial sustainability. The Masterclass covers how to plan, create and promote a successful crowdfunding campaign. It takes about 2.5 hours to complete in one sitting and is self-paced, so people can learn at their own pace. Other than a reliable internet connection, no other materials are required. Info: https://ggm.givealittle.co.nz/courses/GGM
The rule change around hoodies will take effect in 2026.
Speed limit review
Motorway speed change proposed
Travellers are being asked for feedback on a proposal to increase the speed limit on two sections of State Highway 1, between Ōrewa and Warkworth, from 100km/h to 110 km/h.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency director for regional relationships Steve Mutton says sections of motorway were designed and constructed to a high safety standard, which meant they could be considered for increased speed limits.
“Safety features include two-lanes in each direction to provide safe passing opportunities, physical separation between opposing lanes to prevent head-on crashes, and a mostly straight, wide alignment,” Mutton says.
The two sections being considered are from the start of the toll road to the Johnstones Hill tunnels and from the tunnels north to Warkworth.
Mutton said the sections of the motorway where the speed won’t change include:
• Johnstones Hill Tunnels, where the enclosed environment of tunnels creates a different safety risk to that of the surrounding motorway. The speed limit on SH1 through the Johnstones Hill Tunnels is 80km/h and there are no plans to review and/or change this speed limit.
• SH1, south of the Northern Gateway Toll Road, currently operates with a permanent speed limit of 100km/h through to the Auckland Harbour Bridge and there are no plans to review that speed limit, either.
The current 90km/h speed limit for heavy vehicles and towing vehicles will still apply on any road with a 110km/h speed limit.
This means journey times for vehicles carrying freight will remain unchanged.
An NZTA spokesperson says some heavy vehicles can weigh up to 60 tonne and take a lot longer to slow down and stop.
NZTA will consider all feedback received during the consultation process before recommending a new speed limit, which will be reviewed alongside technical and safety assessments. It will then provide a recommendation to the Director of Land Transport and this process could take six to 12 months.
Road and transport campaigner and Rodney Local Board member Geoff Upson says the motorway should have been 110km/h when it opened.
“I am disappointed in how hard the police have been working to make revenue from people who already drive 110km/h on the new motorway,” he says.
“The road is suitable for a speed limit of 130km/h one day. Internationally, lots of similar motorways are 130km/h,” he says.
“Hopefully, increasing the speed to 110km/h will encourage police to go and do something else with their day, like catch speeders outside schools.”
Upson says he is disappointed that the tunnels will remain 80km/h.
“I reckon we could at least raise it to 90km/h so it’s only a difference of 20km/h, but I think there are some rules about tunnel speed limits.”
Consultation on the proposed speed change closes on October 1.
To find out more and provide feedback, head to: nzta.govt.nz/sh1-northakl-110
Transport minister Simeon Brown made the speed limit announcement on Moirs Hill.
Variable speed limits (VSLs) - Northbound only
Variable speed limits (VSLs)
– Northbound only
This map is not to scale and for illustrative purposes only.
Speed limits
Proposed area to increase to 110km/h
No change to existing speed limit
Ara Tuhono – Puhoi to Warkworth motorway
Northern
Northern Gateway Toll Road
Variable speed limits (VSL)
VSL signs used for smart traffic management of northbound traffic to roundabout. No change to current VSL speeds of 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 100. Proposed increase of underlying speed limit to 110km/h.
Ferry passenger numbers up after resumption of full
Passenger numbers on the Gulf Harbour ferry picked up significantly in the days after Auckland Transport reinstated a full schedule of sailings on September 9. The ferry is back to sailing 24 return trips daily, including morning trips from Gulf Harbour at 6.30, 7.00, 7.30 and 8.30am. The move followed a long period of reduced timetables and frequent cancellations, usually attributed to crew shortages. AT last year proposed ending the service altogether, raising the ire of commuters already unimpressed with the level of service and slow replacement buses to the CBD. AT provided weekday passenger numbers
for the ferry for the period immediately before and the days after the reinstatement of the full service. Fridays are typically quieter but on the Thursday before the change, 273 passengers travelled. One week later, 458 people took the ferry.
“The Gulf Harbour ferry is much-loved by the community and we’re thankful for their patience while we’ve worked with Fullers360 to address ferry crew shortages,” AT’s public transport service operations manager Duncan McGrory said.
“We know that the temporary reduction in services has not been easy for our customers, so we’re thrilled to have the ferry back to
service
its regular timetable sooner than expected. We’re really pleased to welcome so many of our customers back on board.”
McGrory said AT had full confidence in
Fullers360’s abilty to operate a reliable service for the community. He noted that bad weather and other factors outside AT’s control could still occasionally cause disruption.
Pūhoi
Orewa
Johnstones Hill Tunnels
The map shows the two sections being considered for speed increases. Travel through the Johnstones Hill tunnels will remain at 80km/h.
Pūhoi
Ara Tūhono –Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway
Orewa
Johnstones Hill Tunnels
Gateway Toll Road Warkworth
This map for illustrative
PūhoiRoad
Viewpoint
Jake Law, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board jake.law@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Backbone of the community
Recently, we learned that there are no pest free plans happening on our local beaches and it has highlighted the importance of work being done by Pest Free Hibiscus Coast. Supported by the Local Board, and with the help of hundreds of local volunteers, Pest Free Hibiscus Coast maintains trap lines and pest management in 120 local parks, as well as 4000 backyard traps around the Hibiscus Coast. Without this community-led organisation we would be up for an environmental catastrophe. Auckland Council has no ongoing pest management plan in our local parks and reserves and would only step in for a oneoff ‘blitz’ following a verified complaint. It is vital that we ensure the coast is a safe haven for the native birds that are flying from Tiritiri Matangi Island to Shakespear Regional Park, and from there around the Hibiscus Coast. Recent sightings of kākā and kākāriki around the coast are exciting, but likely wouldn’t happen without the dedicated work of many to keep our local trees and forests pest free. Recently, funding for local environmental and pest focused organisations has been cut. Now more than ever, we need to ensure that members around the table are committed to supporting environmental outcomes.
Since the 2023 January floods and damaging last year’s cyclone, having a locally led civil and active defence network is indeed more vital than ever. What was revealed in 2023 was that Auckland Emergency Management was wholly unprepared for an emergency
GDP falls
event on that scale and had no local centres or communication plans. Auckland Council has admitted and apologised for their failings, but now is the time to ensure that the same mistakes cannot happen again. Practical measures are needed.
The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has officially recognised local civil defence organisations which have been named resilience groups. Excellent work is being done by those groups to identify local emergency ‘hubs’ and shelters, and make sure those facilities are equipped with the proper resources and equipment to assist people in situations of natural emergency. We need the community to not only be aware of these groups and their plans, but also to be engaged in their meetings and progress. We have a Whangaparāoa resilience group which looks after the peninsula, and a Hibiscus North Resilience group covering Red Beach, Ōrewa, Silverdale, Waiwera and Millwater. These groups are looking for more involvement from the community. I believe these resilience groups are key to ensuring community safety in any future weather or natural hazard event.
It is incredibly rewarding to be an elected representative of the most beautiful part of Auckland. Thank you to those who have engaged with me recently and I am always open to questions and feedback from residents. Please email me at jake.law@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Don’t forget sunblock as we come into the warmer months! Let’s hope we can enjoy our beaches and parks pest free.
NZ gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.2 per cent in the June 2024 quarter, following a 0.1 per cent increase in the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Retail trade and accommodation; agriculture, forestry, and fishing; and wholesale trade industries all fell. Forestry and logging drove the fall in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry. This is mirrored by a fall in exports of forestry primary products. Despite the overall fall in GDP, seven out of the 16 industries increased. The largest rise was in manufacturing.
Arts celebrated
Auckland’s city centre will radiate hues of happiness next month, with the return of Art Week, featuring a programme packed with more than 70 events, exhibitions, installations and activations. The festival will run from October 4 to 13.
OurOpinion
Be kind
Is it just me, or are drivers in Ōrewa a lot more thoughtful than those in Whangaparāoa?
Recently trying to enter the flow of traffic on Whangaparāoa Road from a parking lot near Karepiro Drive I found myself pondering this question. It’s probably no exaggeration to say that eight minutes passed before a gap opened up big enough for me to take, without putting my life or those of other road users into serious danger.
Later the same day I needed to turn right onto Hibiscus Coast Highway from the parking lot at the Estuary Arts Centre. The flow of traffic coming down the hill and across the bridge was as unceasing as it had been on Whangaparāoa Road just hours earlier, but in three seconds flat a driver flashed her lights and let me through. Now that I’ve probably offended thousands of readers living on the peninsula, my real point has less to do with driver courtesy than it has to do with government policy. Whangaparāoa Road is a mess. O Mahurangi Penlink is going to do little to change that, especially since the late 2026 due date has now been pushed back until early 2028 at the earliest. And even then, it will hold little improvement for those living east of the interchange, with only one road in and out.
Not long ago a prime minister urged the team of five million to ‘be kind’. Without relitigating all the controversy over vaccines and mandates, here’s an idea – for now and for the future: How about every driver reading this, wherever they live on the Coast, makes an effort to be thoughtful of other road users (and that includes pedestrians and cyclists), not just today, but every day.
Patrick Goodenough
Congratulations
The winner of two tickets to Star for a Star was Andrea Ruddy of Manly. The winner of the giveaway of the book I Asked and He Talked was Lucy of Stanmore Bay. (Surname withheld on request). The winners of two double passes to British Lion at Paraoa were Mark Lenton of Army Bay and Dean Coulthard of Whangaparāoa. Thanks to all who entered.
LocalOpinion
Contributions to this page are welcome but letters under 250 words are preferred. We reserve the right to abridge as necessary. Unabridged versions can be read at www. localmatters.co.nz/opinion Letters should be sent to hibiscusnews@localmatters.co.nz or 21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa 0931. Note: We do not publish abusive or unsigned letters.
Thank you
I would like to wish Terry all the best for her new adventures after editing and helping to build up Hibiscus Matters into a great little local paper for us on Hibiscus Coast after we lost Coaster and with Rodney Times now covering a wider area. Hibiscus Matters is where locals now look for local news and issues concerning our area. Thanks Terry Moore Arthur Amis, Red Beach
Saving Ōrewa Beach
A sea wall by its nature stops the waves and turns them back. In that process, it stirs up the sand from the base of the wall and it drifts away with the overall tide flow that is controlled by general wind and wave direction. This is demonstrated by the significant growth of the dune zone at the south end of the beach and the enormous amount spent on moving some of the sand back to where it came from. Naturalising the dune zone and removing the Norfolk and pōhutukawa trees and sloping the beach zone across the esplanade will greatly reduce the wind protection and there will be a wide area of dry sand exposed the wind which will carry very significant quantities onto and across the road forever. This will be very significant. An interesting observation of the Americas Cup competition at Barcelona beach showed the protection system they have built to save their beach. The beach front was shaped in a series of scallops. These were formed by rock groins built out from the beach that naturally caught the sand and retained it in the zone where it will gradually accumulate. This would save all the current infrastructure including the significant car park that so many locals use. A local pertinent example of the effectiveness of groins is at the exposed Omaha beach. Cyclone Bola demolished a sea wall and eroded 70 metres of beach front including a whole row of sections. After much debate, a Norwegian engineer and Auckland University modelling it was agreed to build three groins, one near the tip of the spit and two further along the beach. When one visits the beach now two of the groins are completely buried by sand and the one at the tip is partly built over and does a great job of protecting the beach.
This may be more expensive than the other proposals but will be less than half the costs of all the beach restorations needed by all the procrastination of councils, protesters, engineers and planning authorities ever since the rock bar was blasted open at the estuary outlet. Please pause and consider and then get on with it.
Don Sinclair, Silverdale
To the Editor
I remember when I first started to vote in elections my father reminded me to look at the goals and objectives of the said organisation and vote accordingly. In other words, try to elect the best person for the job. Today it seems that the country is gripped in some sort of mania within the local government sector, in wasting an enormous amount of time and money on political and ideological claptrap that has absolutely no benefit or value to the people of any district – and is definitely not core business of any council. I always understood that local councils were organisations that were obliged to maintain and provide services for the residents such as water supplies, parks, libraries and roads amongst others. In my opinion when a member of an organisation, such as local council, has to go public to explain their vote in a matter that has nothing to do with their elected purpose, resignation should be a consideration. After all, they are supposed to be delivering to the district benefits and basic services to be enjoyed by all and not be expounding their individual political bias. Then many councils turn around and have the audacity to raise the rates demands by unheard of per centages in recent times, with no obvious improvements to services And the roads are still potholed. Maybe it is time to dispense with the current elected person councils and to convert to a very strong business operation, with very strict guidelines and regular totally independent audits. Failure to comply with the strict guidelines means instant dismissal. Remembering that the right person for the job will normally succeed! Maybe this would help to alleviate the excessive governance this country experiences and we’ll end up with benefits to the country and to the people. After all, our population of five million cannot adequately support financially what exists today.
Peter Matheson, Maungaturoto
that Jazz’, while Coastie Liz Frost was placed second in the section.
The recent Designer of the Year competition, held at the Ōrewa Baptist Church, had ‘Putting on the Ritz’ as its theme. More than 60 designs were on display, with entries from across Auckland. Christine Richards from the Hibiscus Coast won the junior section, entitled ‘Extravagance’. Hibiscus Coast Floral Art Group president Gill Watt’s entry in the intermediate section, ‘Opulence’ was highly commended. Another Hibiscus Coast artist, Jenny Vicelich, won the senior section entitled ‘All
Gill Watt
Christine Richards
New ways to navigate Ōrewa
Monday (September 23) marks International Day of Sign Languages, raising awareness of inclusive communication. In a bid to better understand the challenges faced by people in our community with disabilities, a group of local tamariki explored Ōrewa last week with fresh eyes.
The seven to nine year olds were part of the Ōrewa Brownie Unit working towards their green Adventure badge. They were tasked with a mission to explore their community and find out how easily people with disabilities can access buildings and resources.
Ōrewa Brownie leader Kathleen Sunderland assigned each of the girls a “disability”. To make it more realistic, she used props and then had the girls swap so they each experienced a range of challenges.
“We must have looked like a motley crew but getting them to walk with crutches, eye patches, arm slings, walking sticks and even a walker frame, gave them a little taste of what it is like to be limited in function in some way.”
From entering buildings through to catching a bus, the girls navigated the town centre
making a note of barriers they encountered. Leading a discussion afterwards, Kathleen pointed out to the girls that not all disabilities are visible, encouraging empathy for all members of the community.
“The Hibiscus Coast is a growing area with young families, so we have lots of girls on the waiting list to join Brownies,” says Kathleen “We need more women to join us as volunteer leaders.” Part of GirlGuiding New Zealand, Brownies supports young girls with programmes and activities to help them learn how to look after themselves, others and the world we live in.
Kathleen came through Brownies and Guides herself and her mother was a Brownie leader. “Now it’s time for me to give back to the community.”
Precious rings come full circle
A family heirloom has been reunited with its rightful owner. In early May, two rings were handed in at the Ōrewa Police Station after Red Cross charity shop staff found them in the back of a donated clock. Waitematā North area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Roger Small said the wedding and engagement rings were inside what appeared to be the original ring box. “We posted on Facebook and other community pages in the hope of locating the owner, but without luck. We then sent them off to Gem Lab where the ring box was from, who found an identifying number as they had appraised them in 1996. Gem Lab provided us with the name of the owner and from there we did a bit of digging.”
Police managed to find the owner’s son, but there were no up-to-date contact details.
“After making a number of inquiries we ended up contacting the Royal New Zealand Navy as the owner’s son used to be a medic. They were able to provide his contact details.” Small said the owner had died last November, and her children had been searching high and low for the rings. “The family were so pleased with the news the rings had been found and they have since been bequeathed to the owner’s daughter,” he said, “It’s a great feeling for our team, knowing we have helped reunite this precious item back with family.”
It
seem strange to talk about coffee in light of something as personal and serious as a
but that’s just the point.
At Dil’s we take the smallest details very seriously, including the quality of our espresso. Because everything should be just the way you want it.
BAYLEYS OREWA
Welcomes Liz Lawson & Justine Williams to our Property Management Team
If you have a residential property to manage, then you need a team who can give you expert advice.
Business
Phil Pickford phil.pickford@thinkdifferently.kiwi.nz
Green shoots of recovery
Life can be confusing for small business right now. In this information age it can be difficult to decide on who to believe. In an August 12 New Zealand Herald article headlined “Small business hits reverse gear”, Cameron Smith wrote about how economic pressures continue to drive unprecedented stress and burnout for small business owners, while confidence declines. He cited “new research” by RFI Global showing that earlier post-Covid optimism was in reverse amid ongoing uncertainty in the NZ business climate. This research has found less than half (48%) of small to medium sized businesses feel confident about the future, with 70% of business owners feeling stressed and burnt out. For retailers the figure was 85 per cent.
On August 29 – just 17 days later – the ANZ Business Outlook Survey reported that business confidence was at its highest level in a decade! ANZ’s chief economist Sharon Zollner was quoted in the Herald as saying the survey had found “a flurry of optimism”. Forward-looking activity indicators had risen strongly, and this was already evident in the responses that had come in at the very beginning of the month, Zollner said “Things are looking up, albeit from a pretty dark place for many firms.”
So if you are struggling to makes ends meet on the Ōrewa strip, or looking for more customers for your products out of Silverdale, how do you rationalise all this? What actions do you need to take? Are you missing something, as you’re not seeing any
sales growth. When are new customers going to start knocking on your door?
We must take note of the ANZ survey. The data is more recent, though it can be skewed by bigger corporates. There is more business confidence – the survey respondents reflect that. But remember that this is about confidence in the future for suppliers of products and services, not those who purchase them. It is a window into the future minds of consumers.
Out actions as business owners need to be geared, initially, to consolidation. Business owners have come through a tough time, cashflows are tight and wallets are still closed, so we don’t have cash to invest in marketing splurges or product improvements.
Consolidate your current levels of sales and put effort into realistic growth. Your costs have been running tight for some time –they need to continue running tight. Your priority must be cash – keep any extra, don’t spend it yet! Make sure your customers are experiencing the best service and support you can give them (that doesn’t cost money, just effort), because you want them to keep coming back. Consolidation will ensure you are prepared for when those green shoots of recovery arrive in your market, so you can properly nurture and develop them. When demand for your products and services is showing those first signs of growth, market yourself so you take your share of that growth. If you don’t, your competitor will.
This column is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice and does not take your individual circumstances and financial situation into account.
New Coastie
Ed Amon edamonnz@gmail.com
Take the leap
Tēnā koutou e te whānau. At the time of writing this it is one day to go before the start of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week (you might read it after the week has passed). According to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) it is an annual celebration for all New Zealanders to show their support for the Māori language, an official language of this country. It is apt that I share my experience of learning te reo Māori.
The theme of this year’s Māori Language Week is ‘Ake Ake Ake – A Forever Language’, which is serendipitous because at the start of the year I had decided that my commitment to the language of this land will not be piecemeal with sporadic classes every couple of years but a long-term commitment to attain an intermediate to conversational level fluency within a few years. In short, for me it’s not Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, or Te Tau o Te Reo Māori (The year of te reo) anymore, but it’s now Te Koiora o Te Reo Māori (the life of te reo).
Peculiarly, this desire to commit to learning Māori has its roots in the birth of my daughter in November last year. When I became a father, I made sure that the first words my daughter heard were in my ancestral language: Urdu. My biggest fear is that my daughter will lose her language as she grows up in a predominantly Englishspeaking New Zealand so I only speak to her in Urdu. As she grows up she will learn Māori because it is the language of the land and obviously English will automatically
come as it is ever so prevalent. Through Urdu she will have a portal to her whakapapa and culture. Through Māori she will find roots to make Aotearoa her home. As a father it is my responsibility to teach her my ancestral language. As a Tangata Tiriti it is my responsibility to learn Māori and be a role model to her.
Language is not just a tool for communication but a foundation of our identity. I believe as an immigrant that foundation will be stronger through Māori. I strongly believe that I am a citizen of Aotearoa because of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and hence it is my responsibility to nurture, support, and respect te reo Māori. The best way to do that is to learn it.
Now I am going through level 4 full immersion at Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa Marae through Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. I can say things like Ākuanei, ka kai ahau i te parakuihi, kātahi ka haere atu ahau ki te takutai ki te hīkoi (soon I will eat breakfast and then go to the coast for a walk).
Of course, I might have gotten something wrong in the above sentence or the above paragraphs, but then again, I can also say this; Aroha mai, e ako tonu ana ahau i Te Reo Māori (apologies, I am still learning te reo). What a show off am I?
So go ahead, take the step this Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and make this week a year and then a lifetime. If the week has passed by the time you read this. Kei te pai, you can start anytime.
Ko tōku reo tōku ohooho, Ko tōku reo tōku māpihi maurea.
Local board wants cleaner water and faster trips
There’s something in the water - and Hibiscus and Bays residents want it removed.
Calls during consultation on the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan have seen moves to reduce contamination and improve water quality included in the board’s plans for the coming financial year.
Every year, local boards and the Governing Body reach a local board agreement that sets out activities to be provided in the area and the local board’s budget.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Alexis Poppelbaum says residents sent a clear message that they wanted more done to combat contamination and sedimentation in the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve and the area’s beaches and rivers.
Advocacy for better protection of our seas, soil and freshwater from contamination and sedimentation, environmental restoration groups and other environmental initiatives will receive $460,000 in support as part of the agreement.
This financial year, $23.1 million has been allocated to Hibiscus and Bays facilities, and community services, with $13.7 million going into capital investments in the area.
Key initiatives include:
• supporting youth networks that help young people thrive and have a voice
• promoting vibrancy, diversity, and creativity, including through events and festivals
• moves to ensure everyone is welcome and that diversity is celebrated
• developing community-led resilience networks to respond in emergencies
• working with others on future uses of undeveloped and established parks
• investigating cost-effective informal recreation and play options in some reserves
• funding to mitigate and adapt our public spaces and assets affected by climate change.
“With 2,082 submissions received, we thank everyone for their feedback. It was encouraging to find 77 per cent of submitters and 82 per cent of local organisations supported all or most of our priorities,” Poppelbaum says.
Upgrade underway at Ōrewa Library
The good news is the $5.5 million upgrade of Ōrewa Library will be completed by next June.
Visitor numbers have increased to more than 235,000 a year, and the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board approved an extensive library upgrade to reconfigure the building’s existing footprint, increase functionality and replace the old leaking roof.
Auckland Council General Manager Parks and Community Facilities
Taryn Crewe says about two thirds of the existing library is being deconstructed, will be rebuilt and a new mezzanine floor added.
“Progress has been steady and while the foundation work took slightly longer than anticipated, it won’t delay the timeline by much. The highwater table and sandy ground conditions required deeper foundations than originally planned for.
“Fortunately, the extra foundation work has only added about a week to the timeline. Many materials are manufactured offsite, then brought to site to be installed, and that includes steel frames which will soon be hoisted into place to support the building.”
Board Chair Alexis Poppelbaum says the library upgrade tackles the everincreasing demand for library services and the building’s maintenance requirements.
“The library is a popular community hub for our residents. A huge thanks to our library staff who are doing everything they can to reduce the impact on everyone during construction.
“The new library will be fantastic and well worth the wait for residents.”
The comprehensive upgrade uses the building’s existing footprint and includes:
• freeing up space downstairs by moving some collections upstairs to create new and relaxing spaces.
• a large downstairs children’s library with room for collections and programmes.
• a lift that meets accessibility requirements and has access to the mezzanine floor.
• an open downstairs area with better sightlines, lower shelves and better spacing of fixtures and fittings.
• a new mezzanine floor with flexible space for study, programmes, meetings, and can be adapted easily for different requirements.
• an improved interior layout, better sightlines, safe room, and controlled access to staff areas.
• a new mono pitch roof to replace the old leaking curved roof.
While renovations are underway, library staff are running a mini-library and council services from the Ōrewa Community Centre with several well-loved programmes taking place on Wednesdays during term-times. For more details, visit facebook.com/OrewaLibrary
up for your Hibiscus and Bays Local Board E-news and stay up to date with all the latest news from your area.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board: Seated: Alexis Poppelbaum (Chair), Julia Parfitt, Victoria Short. Standing from left: Sam Mills, Gary Brown (Deputy chair), Jake Law, Gregg Walden and Leanne Willis.
Ōrewa Beach
Installing the new concrete panels at Ōrewa Library.
Muriwai’s ancient lava flows recognised
Unique formations of megapillow lava flows at Muriwai, that are millions of years old, are now listed among the world’s most significant geological sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences
Only 200 features around the world are recognised as Geological Heritage Sites by this scientific group, for their value and significance to early geological history – including the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and the Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, United States.
West Auckland’s megapillows, located in Muriwai Regional Park were added to the prestigious list in August 2024 and fall under the care of Auckland Council.
Policy and planning committee chair Richard Hills says having an Auckland attraction recognised as one of the best in the world, by one of the largest scientific organisations, is huge validation for the work council is doing.
“This special site at Muriwai is one of many taonga natural features that we care for in the regional parks network, to ensure
that visitors can enjoy them for generations to come. It’s also one of around 250 important geological sites in the region that are recognised and scheduled for protection in the Auckland Unitary Plan.”
Council’s geologist and natural features specialist, Kate Lewis, says Muriwai is considered by far one of best locations to see lava pillows, with three connected sites showing spectacular examples of this rare volcanic pattern at Maukatia Bay.
From the beach, visitors can see giant fans of lava pillows stretching 20 metres high and 30 metres wide, across the main cliff face.
Each fan provides a cross-sectional view of the pillows themselves and also the vent or feeder tube that once supplied fresh lava to the pillows that surround it, says Kate.
“These shapes emerged after a massive underwater volcano erupted close to Waitākere 17 million years ago. When flowing lava is cooled quickly by the ocean, it forms a surface crust over bulbous folds that look like pillows. The liquid inside the lava flow pushes forward, and pressure from behind the crust cracks it, so more lava pushes out to form adjacent folds,” she explains.
“Muriwai’s examples have earned the title of megapillows, due to their impressive size - up to three metres in diameter. They are extremely rare,” Kate adds.
Megapillow lava flows can also be found in Iceland, Sardinia, Spain, and Tasmania, but none match the size and complexity of the Muriwai megapillow flow – nor are they as accessible.
Council parks manager Scott De Silva says that while Muriwai Regional Park is often admired for its natural beauty, not all visitors are aware of the geological significance of this remarkable landscape.
“We are thrilled to see these features receive such widespread recognition. It will enable more people to learn about the history of this area and continue to help us protect it.”
Four other New Zealand attractions have been selected by world renowned geologists to join the IUGS celebrated list of 200 Geological Heritage Sites. Those sites are the fjords and towering seacliffs of Fjordland, Ruapehu volcano, Rotorua’s geothermal fields (Ahi-Tupua), and the impressive Maruia Falls.
Auckland Council to consult on pest management plan
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
Auckland Council will begin early consultation for its regional pest management plan, as new pest issues emerge.
At council’s policy and planning committee on September 12, members approved early public consultation materials for the Regional Pest Management Plan 20302040.
Head of natural environment specialist services Imogen Bassett said there were five key topics the early consultation process would focus on – caulerpa, freshwater gold clam, cat management for wildlife protection, predator free islands and climate resilience.
“We have over 300 species of pests in our existing plan already so it’s very broad. We are not asking about all of them at the moment but just a few key issues where we know there are some emerging big ticket problems – we don’t know necessarily how the public feel about them,” she said. The new plan does not need to be in place until 2030 and Bassett said while it may seem like a long time away it was a lengthy and cumbersome process.
She said the consultation would be aimed at key stakeholders and people who were already in touch with these issues.
“This is quite a niche topic from our previous consultations. We don’t think it’s worth spending lots of money on talking into the ether to the general public because a lot of people aren’t really that engaged.”
The early public consultation period opens on October 25.
Just an hour’s drive from the Hibiscus Coast, these wonders would make a great weekend outing. Photo: Alastair Jamieson
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Coasties rubbing shoulders with the Commonwealth
Ōrewa College students Hannah Babiera and Reya Rawat represented their school at the recent annual Student Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (SCHOGM) in Wellington.
Accompanied by teacher and year 13 dean Mary Reihana, the two served as Commonwealth delegates for Mauritius at the two-day event.
Joined at parliament by students from across the country, Hannah and Reya said they took part in “heated debates and thoughtful discussions to form resolutions on the issues of plastic in the Pacific, climate change, governance, and international developments”.
“This experience highlighted the significant role the Commonwealth plays, and
Club ladies excel in Spring Show
The St John’s Catholic Church Hall was transformed into a wonderland of flowers, pot plants, foliage and miniature and basket arrangements as the Ōrewa Garden Club held its annual Spring Show on September 12.
Competition was so fierce that the judges had to eliminate entries with imperfections, despite them being few and far between, said club president Linda Mellor.
Judges Murray Silverstone and Jannene Stermi from Bunnings Warehouse Silverdale said they were “blown away” by the high standard among the 136 entries.
Christine Muir was awarded the Best Exhibit Trophy for her brilliant blue/purple Spraxia, while the coveted Ellen Boyce Memorial Cup, given to the club member earning the most overall points from categories entered, was taken out by Valerie Julius.
Linda described the event as “a great day and a credit to all Ōrewa Garden Club members who continue to produce some amazing flora. May it always continue!”
the complexities involved in reaching agreements, as each resolution must be accepted by all member nations with respect to the values and interests as a country.”
Speakers included British High Commissioner Iona Thomas, NZ diplomats, members of parliament and a senior military official.
“We had the privilege of talking with these
remarkable leaders, which was a truly inspiring and motivating experience that we will never forget,” Hannah and Rena said.
“We were also able to sit in the debating chambers in the House of Representatives on the last day of the event during question time and listen to the tribute speeches about the passing of the Kiingitanga, followed by the singing of a closing waiata.”
Christine Muir receives the Best Exhibit Trophy for her Spraxia bulbus exhibit, from Jannene Stermi from Bunnings Silverdale.
Pumpkin is such a delicious and versatile vegetable, and while generally popular for soups or roasting, there are lots of interesting ways to cook this sweet, nutritious filling vegetable. There are several varieties of the squash family, including the most commonly sold butternuts and crown pumpkins, but also many heirloom and hybrid squash that come in all sizes.
Peeling their skins is not only a waste of time, but is also a waste of good roughage. Make sure you wash the pumpkin or squash well before cutting it up. Roasting the butternut or buttercup with the skin on results in a lovely crisp texture and also holds the pieces of squash together rather than letting them collapse when cooked. The less water you use while cooking pumpkin, the better, as it quickly becomes mushy and watery. Roasting is the preferred way to cook, as the flavour develops lots of sweetness and the texture is maintained.
Pumpkin is also a perfect vegetable to pair with spices. In the recipe this week I have used ginger, but other spices that are equally great are cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, coriander, black pepper and nutmeg.
Roasted Pumpkin Wedges with tahini and yogurt dressing
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
For the dressing:
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 tbsp tahini
I love pomegranate syrup (found in speciality food stores) which pairs beautifully with the pumpkin, but if that’s a stretch too far, you can always substitute runny honey or a good quality balsamic. Those pretty fresh pomegranate arils have become very popular and certainly give the dish a great look, with their jewel-like appearance. But equally, some chopped nuts and seeds or a spice mix like dukkah would be a great alternative. And at this time of the year, when the herbs in the garden are only just starting to perk up, use perennially popular mint or parsley to bring a lovely fresh look to your dish. ½ crown pumpkin
2 cloves garlic, crushed I lemon, finely grated rind and juice
Pinch salt
3 tbsp balsamic syrup or pomegranate syrup
To finish:
A handful fresh mint leaves
2 tbsp pomegranate arils (seeds) or 2 tbsp dukkah (chopped nuts and spices)
Preheat the oven to 180C and line a baking pan with baking paper.
Cut the pumpkin into even wedges, about 6cm thick, with a sharp knife. Discard all the seeds but leave the skin on, as it helps to keep the shape of the pumpkin as it softens in the cooking process. Mix the oil with the salt and pepper and ginger and smear this over the wedges on all sides. Place into the baking dish and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until the pumpkin is soft when pierced with a sharp knife. Let the pumpkin cool a little. Meanwhile, put the yogurt, tahini, garlic, lemon rind and juice in a bowl and whip everything together until well mixed. Taste,
and add a teaspoon or two of the syrup or some honey to make it slightly sweet.
To serve, pile the wedges onto a serving plate and spoon the yogurt mix over, then place the mint leaves around the pumpkin. Finally drizzle over the rest of the pomegranate syrup (or balsamic) with the pomegranate arils.
(If you can’t find fresh pomegranate arils, you could dice a little red pepper or firm tomato to decorate and add that lovely colour.)
Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Great to accompany lamb chops, chicken or steak, or simply served as a first course with crusty bread. Serves 4.
EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 24 represents T, so fill in T every time the figure 24 appears. You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it in the appropriate squares in the main grid, and solve the starter word. Fill in other squares in the main and control grids with the found letters and look for the next word. Follow the word trail through the puzzle to its completion. www.codecracker.co.nz
Why saunas are hot right now
Cameron Mackinnon
Twenty years ago, I had a serious accident. I fell ten metres from a tree and broke my neck.
The doctors’ initial diagnosis was that I would never walk again – not something easy to digest as a 21-year-old skydiver. But instead of succumbing to despair, the crisis marked the beginning of a new journey – one that gave me the time, space and motivation to explore every healing technique imaginable. I dived into clinical research, trying everything I could to rebuild my mind, body, and spirit –meditation, nutrition, physiotherapy ... you name it.
I won’t go into all the details, but let’s just say I discovered things that worked well for me. Today I can walk – not run – and am living a relatively “normal” life. I face daily challenges, but I’ve come to accept and live with them. If you know, you know. Along the way, I stumbled upon the ageold practice of sauna. Like many Kiwis, I first experienced it as part of a postworkout routine at the gym, and was almost instantly hooked. Soon, I found myself going to the gym just to use the sauna – forget the workout! This sparked my curiosity: was there more to this than just a post-exercise detox?
Turns out I had barely scratched the surface. What I discovered was profound. Mountains of peer-reviewed studies, staggering anecdotal evidence, and my own personal experience all pointed to one conclusion: sauna was more than just a
detox tool. It was a game-changer. I knew then that sauna would become a permanent part of my life. I also made it my mission to get my friends and loved ones aboard the “sauna train”.
experience all pointed to one conclusion: sauna was more than just a detox tool. It was
The list of benefits is incredible. Did you know that regular sauna use can reduce your risk of all-cause mortality by 16 per cent, with just one session per week? If you use it three to four times a week, that figure jumps to 40 per cent! Sauna therapy has been shown to offer powerful protection against neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, improve cardiovascular health, and trigger the release of heat shock proteins that help repair and regenerate cells. Over time, I connected even more dots. I’d learned that many diseases begin with inflammation, which then spreads and transforms. And sauna? It provides a systemic anti-inflammatory effect like nothing else.
But wait, there’s more!
feature. health&wellbeing
I’m a firm believer in the saying, “physiology affects psychology”. What I noticed was that I felt mentally sharper and emotionally lighter after using the sauna.
Not too long ago, I went through a really rough patch. Let’s just say I wasn’t exactly winning at life, and it weighed heavily on me. I can say with absolute certainty that without the sauna and its soothing heat during those 18 months, I wouldn’t have come out the other side as well as I did.
Since then, I’ve realised that while many people start using saunas for the physical benefits, it’s often the mental and emotional gains that keep them coming back. Right now, one in eight people in New Zealand are on antidepressants. Shocking, right? Many others are self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, food – whatever gets them through. I believe that if we as a country embraced sauna culture and normalized it as part of our wellness toolbox, it could make a huge difference.
Sauna is easy, it’s accessible, and it can be done solo or with friends and loved ones. So why not give it a try? Your body – and your mind – will thank you.
Cameron Mackinnon, Founder of Sauna Collective
Dinner to drive positive change for local youth
Following the success of its inaugural charity fundraiser event last year, Coast Community Trust is looking forward to hosting another evening of food, fun, and philanthropy.
Dining for a Difference: Coast Community Dinner and Auction, is an opportunity to make a difference while enjoying a fantastic dining experience, live entertainment, and an exciting auction. The event takes place on October 19 at the Ōrewa College Arts and Events Centre.
Community programmes coordinator
Caitlin Watson says the event aims to support the various ways the trust helps to improve wellbeing for young and old on the Coast.
“Not only will we offer a delicious dinner by local chef Mark Lane but we also have more than 30 donated items and services to auction,” she says. They range from a luxurious chartered boat trip to a signed Blues jersey and vouchers from local eateries.
Watson says the trust’s work revolves around whanaungatanga, building relationships that empower positive change in people’s
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lives, and creating a sense of belonging and community. The programmes offered include drivers licence mentoring, weekend night youth programmes, community meals and morning teas to build connection, budgeting and compassion assistance. “The needs in our community are very real, even if they’re not always obvious. Furthermore, our Drivers Licence Mentoring programme has helped open up employment opportunities and taught life skills for people who don’t have the support, however we need more funding to continue to deliver this service.”
The trust is supported by a team of volunteers. “We rely on some wonderful teams to help deliver our services. But we want not only to sustain what we do but also to grow it,” Watson says. “That’s why Dining for a Difference is so important. We would love to invite our community to join us for a special night out, for the purpose of helping to respond to local needs in our community.” So gather friends, family or colleagues together to host a table, or buy individual tickets, online at www. coastcommunity.org.nz/diningforadifference
The inaugural Dining for a Difference at Ōrewa College Arts and Events Centre in 2023
We all know the typical symptoms of hayfever such as sneezing, blocked nose and itchy eyes. However, here is a list of surprising symptoms that might mean you have hayfever this spring. Along with a general toolbox to help fight your allergies, read on to find out the one thing that you can do at night to help alleviate your symptoms.
Did you know that exhaustion is a symptom of uncontrolled hayfever? Allergies can keep you up at night and decrease your quality of sleep. There is also a phenomenon called “allergy fatigue syndrome” causing tiredness due to your body fighting off allergies all day long. A foggy brain can also be caused by hayfever leading to difficulties with concentration. It is thought this might be due to blocked sinuses restricting the flow of oxygen to the brain.
Other surprising symptoms include an itchy tongue, unexplained headaches, loss of smell, a sore throat, achy joints, ear ringing, dizziness, rashes, snoring and dark circles under the eyes.
So what can you do if hayfever is affecting you this spring?
Corticosteriod nasal sprays are the gold standard of treatment for congestion caused by allergies. Start taking this early in the season (for example, one week prior) so that it has time to build up in your system. When the allergy season hits, consider also using a nasal irrigation product prior to using the nasal spray. Other treatments worth considering are non-sedating antihistamines. Itchy eyes can be relieved
Be vigilant with mail
with eye drops. However, be sure to ask the pharmacist which, as there are many different choices which may or may not suit. The one thing you can do at night to help alleviate your hayfever symptoms is to take a shower before bed. This removes the pollen from your body as well as keeping your sheets clean by decreasing pollen transferred to your bed. It helps with nighttime congestion thereby improving sleep quality. Hot showers can also help to loosen up mucous. Consider washing your hair more frequently as well as cleaning your bedding regularly.
It’s World Pharmacist Day on September 25. Remember a good pharmacist is there to dispense your medication correctly. A great pharmacist will help you take care of your health, provide you with advice, assist you with management of your medication and a whole lot more. So join me in a big shout out to all the great pharmacists out there.
Police are warning of a recent rise overseas in scams involving an unexpected package being sent to addresses with a gift and a QR code inside. Police believe this scamming method could find its way to New Zealand and we are urging people to be vigilant. The gift will have the recipient’s address, but not include the sender’s information or be from a known retailer. When the curious recipient opens the package there is a QR code to scan to find out who sent the gift. The code allows the offender to then access data on your phone or device, including financial information and personal data. Police urge anyone who receives such a gift not to scan the QR code. Keep or discard the gift, but do not scan the QR code. Please report information at www.police.govt.nz or on 105.
Triage in Skin Cancer Management
Most folk have heard of triage from shows like ER and Greys Anatomy and some even know what it means!
Triage is defined as the sorting of patients according to the urgency of their need for care. It makes most sense in the context of emergency departments; which patients need to be seen immediately as needing resuscitation vs which patients can wait all night and all those in between. However, it occurs across all medicine including skin cancer medicine.
With skin cancer surgery there are generally 4 recognised triage categories
Category 1: The surgery should be completed within 2 weeks. These are for high-risk lesions such as those that are likely to be melanoma or fast growing and spreading skin cancers
Category 2: The surgery should be completed within 8 weeks. Most other skin cancers fall into this category such as nodular Basal Cell Carcinomas or BCCs.
Category 3: The surgery should be completed within 3-6 months. Some low-grade skin cancers fall into this category such as Bowen’s disease. These types can generally be left for many months without a concern.
Category 4: The surgery should be completed if the surgeon has time and/or availability. Non-cancerous and non-symptomatic growths would fall into this category like a benign cyst.
These triage categories are interesting when you consider the context of the pressure in the current NZ health system.
The wait times to be seen let alone booked for surgery in many public and private institutions are well over three months. Waiting this long falls outside recommended triage category timeframes. It is a risk waiting this long to start treatment for a skin cancer like a melanoma as we know that the earlier that it is picked up and treated the better for long term survival.
I am happy to say that at SkinSafe this is not currently the case. As we are new to the Coast and have invested in our clinical team, our access to qualified doctors is great. You can almost always get in within a week and have surgery within a month (or earlier if it was something urgent)
With many skin lesions – they are better out and in the pathology pot rather than waiting. Our team is glad that we can perform this function for our local community.
An eclectic group of talented musicians coming together at the Ōrewa Arts and Events Centre on September 28, to present an evening of much-loved gospel sounds, for a cause that goes beyond entertainment.
Violinist and music director Nick Jones says
The New Horizon 2024 precious memories variety gospel show will be a fabulous collaboration of local musicians coming together to put on a show – not just for great entertainment, but to raise awareness and funds for the Hibiscus youth Hub. New Horizon shows have long supported the hub which helps troubled youth.
Nick says think Whitney Houston, Elvis, Kenny Rogers, Aretha Frankin, the Gaither Group and more.
Other musicians involved in the charity event include headliners Gray Bartlett and Dennis Marsh, and American pedal steel player Bill Bassett.
“As musical director I have been preparing the band over the past few months and collectively we have put together a diverse programme representing the range of gospel
music. I perform around the country, both in bands and as a soloist, playing many different styles. I always enjoy a challenge like this one – bringing together a large group of musicians to perform a great community show.
“Music has been a part of me since I was a child and I couldn’t be more proud to have the opportunity to lead the band in our upcoming show. Nick studied Jazz performance and graduated from the New Zealand School of Music. While primarily a violinst he is also a classically-trained pianist since childhood.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to play in string quartets for candle-lit shows, at ANZAC dawn services, wedding ceremonies, and in bands offering many styles of music,” he says. “But my real love is recording and contributing to original music as a session musician. Music is my life.”
The variety show is on at the Ōrewa Arts and Events Centre on September 28, with shows at 2pm and 7pm. Buy tickets online at www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/newhorizon-precious-memories-variety-show/ auckland/orewa
10am-4pm
From left, Maude McDonald, Jim Morrogh, Kathi Collins and Mark Harris.
Minister reflects on youth suicide rates
World Suicide Prevention Day this month was a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said.
“Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do better as a country to address this,” he said.
“I am particularly concerned at the increasing levels of distress among our young people, and New Zealand’s youth suicide rate remains unacceptably high. While we have made some progress in strengthening our suicide prevention and postvention system, there are still gaps that need addressing.
“While I was speaking in parliament at an event to mark World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, surrounded by many people who are making a difference for families and communities across New Zealand, I launched consultation for the government’s draft suicide prevention action plan 2025-2029.”
With the current action plan coming to an end later this year, it was appropriate to refresh the focus of New Zealand’s suicide prevention efforts to best meet the current
challenges, Doocey said.
“This draft action plan responds to feedback shared with us by the communities, families and people affected. The actions in the draft plan reflect the government’s mental health priorities to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention support, grow a workforce able to support those at risk of or impacted by suicide, strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention across the range of factors that can influence suicide and improve effectiveness of support through improved research and data collection.
“The small set of focused actions – with clear milestones and lead agencies – will help ensure we can hold agencies to account for delivery.”
Doocey said he looked forward to hearing from people affected by suicide and those working to support them. Feedback was crucial to ensure the government had a strong approach to preventing suicide.
“Achieving our overarching vision of a future where there is no suicide in New Zealand will not happen overnight, but I am confident this next action plan will move us closer to our overarching goal.”
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75k for 75 years
At 8pm on a recent rainy Saturday night, Barb Lambert set out on a long walk home. The almost 75-year-old, from Mangawhai challenged herself to walk 75 kilometres in 24 hours, to celebrate her milestone birthday.
A runner in her youth, Lambert took up race-walking in her forties and has competed in marathons across the country, the most recent being in Hamilton last June. That was the start of her rigorous training programme for the 75km walk. The walk was rigorous of her own making – as Barb follows a conscious approach to walking, allowing her body to dictate pace and duration.
Lambert had a sound plan for her birthday challenge. She chose the weekend for its full moon to light her path, but the weather didn’t come to the party. She eventually embarked in the rain, under grey skies, breaking up the walk into four hour shifts with rests in between. The only thing she didn’t plan was her route.
“I just wandered in any direction I fancied,” Lambert laughs, making it sound like a stroll along the beach rather than a 75-kilometre endurance walk. Her only criteria were to start and end at home, using it as a pit stop to grab a bite, a hot shower and to put her feet up in between shifts. Despite chillier
and
than expected Spring weather, Lambert maintained a steady pace of 5km/h even through to the last shift when the wind picked up and her body was tiring.
Friends and family joined Lambert at different points of her walkathon, swapping shifts in-between to make sure she was never alone. In the truest test of friendship, she even had a close friend wake up and join the 3am shift. That was Lambert’s highlight, “I had the most wonderful support from friends and my husband,” she said.
At 6pm on the Sunday, around twenty friends joined Lambert to walk the last two kilometres to the finish line, before celebrating together at her home. Hard work and dedication to keeping fit has paid off but Lambert doesn’t just do it for the exercise, “I love it.” The day after her walkathon, she was feeling so good that she even headed out on a gentle walk.
Despite their camaraderie and support, Lambert confesses it hasn’t inspired a trend with her friends, “Funny enough, nobody seemed interested in doing it themselves!”
Though she has given thought to her next challenge, “I did think about doing another 25km and banking them to celebrate my 100th birthday.”
Funding for Ōrewa marae
Auckland Council has allocated $33,000 to Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa as part of an effort to ensure that marae infrastructure, capability and support systems across Auckland are robust, efficient and resilient.
It was one of seven marae development projects to receive a total of $588,000 from council’s planning, environment and parks committee’s 2024/2025 Cultural Initiatives Fund.
“Safe, healthy and warm marae, and papakāinga housing are two of the 10 mana outcomes identified by Māori as key priorities in Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, our Māori Outcomes Performance Framework,”
said committee chair Richard Hills. He said the grants would support mana whenua and mataawaka marae to manage costs associated with their growth and connections into their communities.
Te reo: A forever language
The theme of Māori Language Week last week was Ake Ake Ake – a forever language.
From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka says.
“At the recent Olympics, te reo Māori featured as part of our national bid in front of the world. Let’s take that pride in nationhood and keep it going into Te Wiki and beyond.”
The minister described re reo Māori as “the beating heart of Aotearoa New Zealand”.
“The language is pumping with life and the many new terms also enable Māori speakers to express the everchanging world around them and continue to use Māori as a normal means of communication,” he said.
“It’s especially great to see so many Māori and New Zealand businesses celebrating te reo Māori. Welcoming te reo into the private sector brings the language to new audiences and spaces whether it’s retail, architectural, tourism, engineering or shearing industries.”
Over more than 30 years, Te Wiki has developed from a single Māori Language
Day to a week of celebration for all New Zealanders.
“As announced on the ātea of Tūrangawaewae, this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori was dedicated to the memory and contribution of beloved Kīngi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.
“We also acknowledge his daughter, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po Pootatau Te Wherowhero VIII as the new leader of the Kīngitanga movement.
“Thanks to the efforts of many who have gone before us, and champions of te reo today, te reo Māori is becoming more and more a part of everyday life in New Zealand.
“As part of my commitment, I speak te reo in Te Whare Pāremata (Parliament), and in our office we have regular tikanga, waiata and reo sessions.
“Whether you have an ancestral connection to the language or not, te reo Māori connects us all to this place.
“I encourage everyone to give te reo Māori a go, whether you know a little or a lot,” Potaka said.
Exhibitions in September
• Bronwen Finn, Marg Graydon & Jill Turley
• “Holding on” by Jacqueline Letham
• HBC Printmakers
• “Tripple Dip” Adrienne Matthews, Shana Southcombe and Helen Flashman
Independent Māori Statutory Board member Glenn Wilcox emphasised the value of the Cultural Initiatives Fund for communities. “It’s great to see Auckland Council addressing a previously forgotten group of buildings and institutions that are particularly Aotearoa New Zealand and unique to our landscapes and communities. Marae are not just buildings – they’re about people and our relationships with those people.” 214B Hibiscus Coast
Above: Shana Southcombe, Marg Graydon, Helen Flashman
Barb
friends
Tiritiri Matangi
John Stewart secretary@tiritirimatangi.org.nz
Changes are a coming
Climate change is coming and maybe faster than you think. The predicted changes could have big impacts on the future biodiversity on islands like Tiritiri Matangi.
In recent news it was reported that NIWA have just completed a year-long highresolution modelling run which predicts the expected climate change over various future time periods for a range of emission scenarios. The results are available on the Ministry for the Environment’s website, and they intend to allow users to generate and view the data superimposed on maps. Until those are available, we have the results from NIWAs Auckland Region Climate Change Projections and Impacts published in 2018.
For an emissions as usual model (no reductions in CO2 emissions) this report suggests that (compared to 1995 values) by 2040 we can expect the mean annual temperature to increase by 0.8oc an extra 15 to 20 days each year when the temperature is above 25oc, increases in evapotranspiration (leading to dryer soils), three to nine more dry days, increases in severe rainfall events and about 30 cm of sea level rise.
These figures should be considered worst case as we are expecting some reductions in CO2 emissions. But they are certainly possible and could have a significant impact on Tiritiri Matangi and everywhere else of course, and 2040 is just 16 years away. A hotter, drier climate with less soil moisture is likely to change which trees and other plants will continue to thrive on the
island and which may not survive. Mahoe/ whiteywood, one of our commonest trees and a great food source for birds, reptiles and invertebrates, already suffers in dry summers with some dying in prolonged dry spells. We have seven reptile species on the island, and most will only do well while the range of temperature, soil moisture and plant species remain suitable. Year-round supplies of nectar are important for some of our birds and changing climate may impact on the timing and quantities of food available. We can also expect new weeds to continue to appear.
We probably need to change our goals for the forest and for future animal translocations.
So, climate change presents a risk to the future of the island and its plants and animals. We need to consider those risks and to plan for them. One way to do this is to identify coastal areas in New Zealand which currently experience the predicted changed conditions and to compare which plants and animals are present there. We can also use our experience of which plants and animals seem to be able to withstand hot, dry summers and which cannot. Planning for the future has become more complex. We probably need to change our goals for the forest and for future animal translocations.
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Gulf Rise Open Day Friday 11 October, 10am–2pm 89 Symes Drive, Red Beach
Call Andy to supply, install, service and repair all major Heat Pump brands and for all your Electrical needs phone 021 819 733 or email andy@airpower.net.nz
AN INSIGHT TO RURAL SUBDIVISION
Do you own a property in the Countryside Living Zone?
You may be able to subdivide your property with or without a transferable title right.
Come join us to find out more.
Speakers:
Joe Fletcher – Horizon
Mike Dance – Horizon
Kyle Ross – The Land Vault
Sam Bradford – Solicitor
Wednesday October 2
Stillwater Boating Club
70 Duck Creek Road
Doors open 6.30pm
To register for this free event
email horizon@hsld.nz or call 09 869 4585
A free drink on arrival for the first 25 ticket holders Nibbles will be provided
Japanese artefacts on display
More than 80 high-fired unglazed ceramic wares, some dating as far back as the 14 century, will be on display at the Estuary Arts Centre in October.
Organised by The Japan Foundation, the exhibition has traveled to museums and other venues around the world, and general manager Kim Boyd says the Estuary Arts Centre is the only gallery in New Zealand to host it.
Yakishime, firing unglazed wares at high temperatures, is among the most basic
means of producing ceramics. A tradition that began in the late 12th century continues unbroken to this day. Yakishime wares are produced in a variety of forms and include some works with natural glazes due to ash falling on them during firing. The exhibition presents their history, from the earliest examples to the present, through tea and food vessels along with non-utilitarian objets d’art. The exhibition runs from October 2-28.
ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of
THE scor EBoArD
SUPPORTING LOCALSPORTFORFIVE YEARS AND RUNNING
Raiders U16 girls Jorjah-Lee Thompson and Chilli Edwards in a recent game against the Manurewa Marlins. Photo,
Raiders seek women’s facilities
Hibiscus Coast Raiders Rugby League Club chair Seth Gleeson’s presentation to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board meeting last month focused on strong growth in the club, and the need to improve its facilities to cope.
That growth includes a rise in the number of female players, and Gleeson says the club’s toilets need refurbishing and the changing sheds on its Stanmore Bay grounds are old and not really suitable for mixed genders.
Gleeson says fixing those things is a priority for the club, it has facilities that can be used by everyone.
“We are also approaching groups such as Plunket who may be interested in hiring our facility, to bring in more income,” “Again, women’s facilities are key.”
Two of the club’s 12 teams (U16 and U18) are women's teams. The club also has young girls and women, aged from four years to adults, in mixed teams. In a couple of years, Raiders hopes to have a women’s senior team, as well as growing participation through all age groups.
Auckland Rugby League’s (ARL) Duane Mann, who presented alongside Gleeson, said that Raiders is a significant club for Auckland, and had a strong community focus.
Board member Jake Law suggested the club apply for a facilities grant to help update its toilets and changing rooms and member Julia Parfitt said she hoped the local board could meet with ARL representatives to discuss the matter, noting that the ARL
“has fairly deep pockets”.
“There is growth in the game, but players are having to go further afield,” she said. “Raiders needs to provide for growth in its own catchment.”
Mann said ARL would welcome those discussions with the local board, however he said money alone won’t solve the issue.
“We are not looking for a handout,” he said. “These things need to be solved collaboratively. People want to play locally, so barriers such as travel are important factors. We want to also work with the colleges, and are keen to look at the whole picture alongside the local board.”
The Pretty Tough Sheila Challenge is on Saturday, November 9 at Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Stanmore Bay. Teams of four. Register at: raiderssheilacomp@gmail.com Badminton
A new session of social badminton is held at The Stanmore Bay Pool & Leisure Centre, on Mondays 11.30am-1pm. Cost is $5 per session. Bring your own racquet.
Park Run Millwater
Free, fun, friendly 5km community activity. What a way to start your weekend! Every Saturday, 8am-9am, meeting at Metro Park sportsfields, Millwater. Walk, run, jog, volunteer or spectate! All welcome. Info: https://www.parkrun.co.nz/millwater/ Ōrewa Croquet Club
Come and see if croquet is for you. Golf croquet is played Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Association on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Coaching programme and mallets available. If interested phone the club 09 426 3506, Pixie 021 0249 5910 or visit 43 Hatton Road, Ōrewa. Hockey
Summer Social Hockey - Friday nights. Focus is on a fun, social end to the week. Chance for families to play together, those returning to hockey, and those just wanting to give it a go. Friday nights from 7pm (1 hr games). 18th October to 28th Feb 2025, with four weeks off over Xmas/New Year. Full turf, 11 aside, goalies optional (variants to this will depend on numbers registered and/or on the night). Register now https://forms.gle/ qgzmwUppC2WaGW4u5
List your sports here FREE email: terry@localmatters.co.nz
A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/Simpson dryers. Prompt service ph 021 168 7349.
CAN’T MAKE IT TO A HAIR SALON? No problem I can come to you. Qualified Hairstylist providing cutting and blow wave services. Please phone Julie 021 112 8015
DRAFTSMAN
Evans Architecture.co.nz Ph: 021 202 2845
FURNITURE REMOVALS
exp Owner Operator 30 years. Single Items to Flat/House lots. Silverdale Based. Ph Gavin 0274 973 867
WATER PUMP & FILTER SERVICES. New installs for all your water pump requirements. Ph 0274 430 654.
ARKLES BAY PAINTERS/DECORATORS In the area for the area. Shane 021 0813 8481.
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
WANTED TO BUY
TO BUY, RECORDS/LP’S
VIDEOS TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Ph/txt Te Totara Video 021 777 385.
GUITAR/PIANO/BASS GUITAR TUITION
Phone Ross 021 703 146.
ESTUARY ARTS CHARITABLE TRUST AGM. Thursday September 26, 2.30pm. HIBISCUS COAST RAIDERS Rugby League & Sports Club (Inc.) AGM, Clubrooms, Brightside Rd, Stanmore Bay. 6.30pm, Tuesday November 12. Nomination forms for Executive Committee positions can be obtained from the secretary hbcraidersrlsc@ gmail.com Notices of motion and nominations close 5pm, November 4.
HIBISCUS COAST CLOTHES SWAP
Saturday 9th November 2pm, Paraoa Brewing – 713 Whangaparaoa Road. Register and find out more detail - www. hibiscuscoastzerowaste.co.nz
HIBISCUS COAST FRIENDSHIP CLUB, Meet at the Bridge Club, Edith Hopper Park, Manly, 4th Wednesday of the month, 10am for talks and coffee. We enjoy meetings, movies, outings and luncheons. Join us phone Peter or Jeanne 426 8675.
HOUSIE AT BOWLS OREWA every Friday, 1pm-4pm. Lots of fun and great prizes. Ph 09 426 5937. All welcome.
25 Bad Jelly the Witch Glow Show, Centrestage Theatre, Ōrewa, 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets from Centrestage.
25 Uke Can Do It – Community Ukulele Band, Whangaparāoa Library, 7pm-8pm. All welcome, no experience needed. Gold coin donation.
26 O Mahurangi Penlink NZTA Community Update, Manly Bowling Club, 56 Laurence Street, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Free event for anyone interested in understanding the latest developments. Run by NZTA O Mahurangi – Penlink team. A half hour presentation followed by a half hour Q & A session.
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 Band and Singers, plus Dennis Marsh, Gray Bartlett and Nick Jones, Ōrewa College Arts & Events Centre, 76 Riverside Road, Ōrewa, 2pm and 7pm. (see story and ad p20)
5 Talk by mental health speaker and educator Julia Grace, Ōrewa Baptist Church, 2 Loop Road, Ōrewa, 3pm-5pm. Hosted by Ōrewa Elevate Trust. Tickets $15 adult, $10 student. Tickets and information: www.elevateorewa.org.nz
5 & 6 School Holiday Family Days, Silverdale Pioneer Village, 15 Wainui Road, Silverdale, 10am-3pm. Devonshire teas all day (Only $8). Enjoy our beautiful gardens. Visit our pioneer displays. Treats & treasures gift shop. Children’s games. Entry by donation. www. silverdalepioneervillage.com Email: pioneervillage1968@gmail.com
6 Gulf Harbour Yacht Club Boat Bits & Car Boot all-sorts sale, Gulf Harbour Marina, 9am. Bring ‘n’ Buy, a chance to sell any unwanted belongings, not just boat related. $10 per car boot. Info and bookings, 09 424 2118 or email admin@ghyc.co.nz
15 Food Scraps Collection Service, Whangaparāoa Library, 11am. How and why to use your food scraps collection bin. Free event.
15 Baby Loss Awareness – Wave of Light Ceremony, The Settlers Cottage at Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery, Stillwater, 6.30pm. For people affected by baby loss - parents, grandparents, family and friends. Candle lighting followed by refreshments. RSVP: kellytownsend.celebrant@gmail.com
16 A Superyacht Cruise Through the Mediterranean with Mike Pignéguy, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Come along on a virtual cruise of the coasts of Italy and Greece with Maritime adventurer, Mike Pignéguy. Free event.
16 Hibiscus Coast Forest and Bird presents a talk by DOC senior ranger Adeline Bosman about the essential role of dogs in biosecurity. Estuary Arts Centre, Western Reserve, Ōrewa, 7pm. Info and updates: www.facebook.com/hbcforestandbird
19 Dining for a Difference, hosted by Coast Community Trust, Ōrewa College Arts & Events Centre, Florence Ave, Ōrewa, 6pm to 10pm. Community dinner and auction for charity – food, fun, and philanthropy. Guests will enjoy culinary delights, live entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/dining-for-a-difference2024-tickets-952409501457 Info: coastcommunity.org.nz (see story p18)
19 Silverdale School Country Show Day, Longmore Lane, Millwater, 10am-2pm. Entertainment, stalls, silent auction, raffles and more. Fun for the whole family.
19 Dairy Flat School Ag Day, 1220 Dairy Flat Highway, 8.30am-1pm. Farm animals, games, pony rides, market, raffles, food court, cake stall, art displays and more
20 Death Café, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Conversations about grief, death and dying over cake and coffee – final event of the year. Entry free.
27 Stay Safe this Summer, Whangaparāoa Library, 1pm. Essential water safety tips. Free event.
His real-world sailing experience came in handy as he experimented with different setups for his virtual boat
Local teen sails through inaugural America’s Cup ESeries
While most of us are still in our pyjamas struggling to brew our Sunday morning cuppa, Silverdale teen Liam Dimock has been waking up at 6am to sail his way to a spot in the America’s Cup ESeries Grand Final.
Fourteen-year-old Liam, a year 10 student at Wentworth College, was raised on the ocean. Growing up boating with his parents, he began his competitive sailing career on the O’pen Skiff at Manly Sailing Club and worked his way up to the ILCA 6. As he was about to start his pre-season training, Liam received the devastating news that the aftereffects of covid benched him for the winter.
Not one to be easily deterred from his passion, Liam immersed himself in online forums and videos to keep up with the sailing world and his peers. A chance discovery on
YouTube led Liam to download ‘AC Sailing’, a new simulation videogame launched by the 37th America’s Cup and developed from the same physics engine as the simulators used by top America’s Cup teams.
From open waters to close quarters, Liam had to change tack and learn to steer a virtual AC40 yacht from his bedroom. With Liam’s raw talent winning him 90 per cent of his online races, it wasn’t hard to convince his parents to let him enter the official competition – a new series for the world of e-sports, culminating in the 2024 America’s Cup Sailing ESeries Grand Final in Barcelona on September 28. The only promise Liam had to make was to keep up with his homework.
It wasn’t all plain sailing. Liam put in the hard work, logging 240 hours playing the game, reviewing earlier races, and
comparing notes with fellow ESailors. His real-world sailing experience came in handy as he experimented with different setups for his virtual boat and strategised for various in-race scenarios.
Cutting it fine, Liam used his own savings to upgrade to a gaming laptop just days before the competition kicked off. He needed to ensure his gaming system would keep pace with him for the all-important qualifying series as he competed against 700 gamers around the world, from Canada to Albania.
Adopting the moniker eSailingCentral, Liam navigated the challenges deftly. Outmanoeuvring his Danish competitor by four points, Liam scored a flight to Barcelona to compete for a slice of the 50,000 Euro (NZD $90,000) prize pool. Money aside, Liam is laser-focused on winning the glory of being crowned the first ever champion,
and nabbing one of two spots in a real-world live sailing showdown against the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup team.
Liam says it’s only fair that dad, aka support crew, accompanies him to Spain given he’s the regular chauffeur for sailing training. But mum, Rachel, and sister, Kiera, will be with him in spirit, cheering from their Silverdale living room.
In true Kiwi fashion, Aotearoa is punching above its weight with two of the six race qualifiers. Local University student Robbie Wooldridge, competing as Booshify, joins Liam in the Barcelona final. Gettting to know each other after meeting in the ESailing world, spoke highly of Liam to the America's Cup website, “I would say Liam, eSailingCentral, is probably who I would say is the favourite. He’s always just so fast. He taught me everything with this game.”
Kiwi boys sail towards the finish line in America’s Cup ESeries. Right, Liam Dimock earned the nickname Helmet Boy wearing his sailing helmet for a laugh. Photo supplied
