Hibiscus Matters_Issue 386_2 December 2024 by Localmatters

Council shakeup raises eyebrows

December 2, 2024

Highest honour awarded to Coast cadets p3 Annual Christmas appeal ...

Three Hato Hone/St John Hibiscus Coast cadets were presented with Grand Prior awards last week – the organisation’s highest accolade for cadets.

Kaede Prescott, and Faybian and Mia Shore were recognised for their dedication, teamwork and camaraderie, personal growth, leadership, and service to the community.

In her first official duty as Commander of the Order of St John, Barbara Everiss said she was proud to be awarding three Grand Prior badges in the same youth division.

“It’s a rare honour. There is a lot of hard work involved in earning a Grand Prior as it takes three to four years to complete,” Everiss said.

All three cadets had to master skills in

drill, hauora, health care, life skills and the history of the St John order, as well as earning five badges, a level 2 first aid qualification and completing 100 hours of community service.

The cadet programme is a way for youth to experience social, adventure, competitive and travel opportunities. Though children can join the youth division as early as six years of age, they can only begin working towards the Grand Prior once they turn 14.

Divisional manager Helen Graham-Shore said the cadets illustrated remarkable commitment and passion for helping others, not only excelling in their personal development journeys but also making significant contributions through community service, first aid training

initiatives, and leadership in local events.

“Their commitment to the values of St John, service, excellence, and respect highlights the positive impact they have on their communities,” Helen said.

Faybian and Mia are third generation recipients of the Grand Prior following in the footsteps of their grandmother Margaret Graham and great aunt Eileen Mclean.

Margaret Graham confesses that Faybian joined at age six at her insistence, though she’s pleased he continued after discovering he loved the first aid badge work.

“It’s a family legacy. Other than sports, the only thing we knew was St Johns,” Margaret said.

Margaret’s granddaughter Mia joined a

year later and came to enjoy the discipline of the cadet programme and is now giving back by teaching drills to new cadets. Kaede joined the youth division three years ago as a gold cadet and will now join the leadership team. Next year she will also be studying paramedicine at AUT.

Like Kaede, Faybian and Mia have also been inspired to choose careers in the medical field. Faybian has joined St John’s adult operational space and will soon complete his qualifications to become a first responder volunteer. His ambition is to become an emergency medical technician and to work full time on the ambulance. Still in school, Mia also plans to follow a medical pathway.

It was an outstanding night for St John Hibiscus when three cadets received their Grand Prior awards. From left, Faybian and Mia Shore, and Kaede Prescott

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Protest in Ōrewa centre calls for accountability

As part of a nationwide campaign, 150 white crosses were placed outside Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell’s office in Ōrewa on Friday morning, November 22.

An Ōrewa resident, George [surname withheld], organised a group to stand in solidarity with those abused in state care. The group gathered behind the installation of crosses, with bright yellow signs to draw public attention.

Joining them was Paul Zentveld, survivor of the Lake Alice psychiatric facility, who entered state care aged 12. He is calling on kiwis to learn more about the stories of those abused in state care over the last 60 years.

OVEN

The Royal Commission of Inquiry Report on Abuse in Care included nearly 3000 experiences. The six-year inquiry looked into the abuse of a quarter of a million people in state and faith-based care. George said his concern was that once the report and state apology slipped from news headlines, it would slip from people’s minds.

“We have to remind the public, and help them connect the dots,” he said, stressing that this was about more than historical events.

Dubbed the white cross campaign, George said the pop-up installations started on November 9 and 10, and more installations

followed across the country, with a focus on Auckland and Wellington. One of these was on Parliament ground for the Prime Minister’s formal apology on November 12.

Zentveld said the group chose Ōrewa for one of their installations because they wanted Mark Mitchell, as the Minister for Police and Minister for Corrections, to instigate an investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“Previous government’s cabinets funded these government agencies and NGOs for children to be safe,” Zentveld said. “They were not safe. They should be accountable for what happened to the children under their care.

“We know that there will never be true justice with these heads of different departments going to court or going to jail. But there can at least be accountability for their bad actions.”

Mitchell’s office door remained closed throughout the protest, and he said he hadn’t had any contact with the group.

“The Government acknowledges the significance of the Royal Commission report, which took six years to complete, and that survivors would like to see action.

There are 138 recommendations made in the final report which was only tabled in

SCRAP METAL & DEMOLITION

July. This Government has started work on 28 recommendations. The Government will have more to say about our overall response in 2025, including on redress, which is a priority for this Government,” Mitchell said.

The long-awaited acknowledgement of torture, and the government apology that followed, was just the first step in the right direction for many survivors. Actively engaging with the Royal Commission of Inquiry, Zentveld recommended following the Australian model of redress, and detailed options that go beyond financial payouts.

“None of us were mentally ill when we went into Lake Alice, but we certainly came out damaged. A few of us have gone on to work and make a living, but a lot have not.

“So, once again, the needs of survivors will vary and the best way to accommodate this would be to give them a support system to address their needs without trying to generalise what those needs might be,” Zentfeld said.

He says the psychiatric stigma of Lake Alice followed him beyond the institution, where people were calling him a freak.

“They took away our mana,,” Zentveld said.

Mayor’s CCO shake-up draws strong reaction

Additional reporting by Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, funded by NZ On Air

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has stirred controversy by releasing his Draft Mayoral Proposal for the Council’s 2025-26 Annual Plan publicly before it was discussed with councillors and local boards.

Brown’s proposal outlines changes that include absorbing Auckland Transport’s back office duties such as communications, disestablishing Eke Panuku, and consolidating the economic development, destination marketing and major events of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited into the council. Notably, Watercare is not included in any planned changes.

Council was already working on increasing the number of shared services between it and its Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs), and chief executive Phil Wilson said he had specifically not included communications.

“I won’t play the card of ‘you stick to governance and I will stick to the operational design’ but there is a separation there and some of the detailed working through that needs to happen – is ultimately what I’m charged with,” Wilson said.

Councillors raised concerns about the lack of clarity in Brown’s proposal, as well as the public release of the proposal before it had been properly discussed with councillors.

The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board also raised issue with the short consultation window, noting that they were provided the draft proposal shortly before 10am on November 19, and required to digest it for feedback on the same day. The proposal appears to be just a 20-page document, but the staff advice that accompanies it runs to more than 300 pages.

Significantly, the board included a disclaimer in their official feedback stating, “the local board has not had sufficient time to analyse and consider the implications of the proposals”. They did provide feedback on the proposal though with key concerns noted about some of the CCO reform.

The board supported absorption of Auckland Transport back-office functions by Council but noted concern with the risks of having the Council hold all responsibility for transport policy and planning.

The board noted concerns about Council’s capability to deliver on major events at the same level as Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, especially given the proposal to cut most major events.

The board stated in its feedback that it did not see benefits in disestablishing Eke Panuku and expressed interest in seeing the CCO’s role expanded to further support local boards to make decisions around centre planning in their communities.

The proposal covered a wide range of topics from compliance wardens through to wider use of targeted rates. Board chair Alexis Poppelbaum said they reserved the right to provide further feedback on the rates. She also said that it was important to hold public consultation and ensure ratepayers had the opportunity to provide feedback.

Brown said that discussion about CCO reform had been ongoing for two years and the proposal should not come as a surprise. It comes on the back of Brown’s campaign promise to address issues with the CCO model. He said the changes were about putting the responsibility back onto elected people.

“The public sees us as responsible for everything and I am not all that happy to have to apologise for things over which I’ve had no input whatsoever. I am fed up with having to say it wasn’t us because the public think we are responsible. We might as well be responsible and accept that responsibility and live up to it,” Brown said.

Major restoration project planned for Okoromai Bay

Auckland Council will start work on an ecological project to restore the Waterfall Gully stream terminus at Okoromai Bay in Shakespear Regional Park in February.

Currently, the stream is channelled under the amenity lawn at the far end of the park, along the path of a World War II anti-tank ditch. The stream’s hidden route is exposed during floods when the grass depressions reveal its original course.

Before Shakespear Park was developed as a farm, much of Okoromai Bay’s low lying land was wetlands. This project will reconnect the wetland with the bay by uncovering the stream, restoring it to its former natural path and reinstating more normal tidal flow.

In turn, this is expected to improve the ecological health of the area, creating a more vibrant wetland habitat. Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society (SOSSI) chair Owen Johnston said SOSSI welcomed any change that improved the ecology of the park.

“The revegetation project brings forward what would have taken 10 years, into one season. SOSSI looks forward to the massive boost these projects will provide to

the ongoing conservation mahi by SOSSI volunteers, community, and regional park staff,” Johnston said.

In addition to the stream restoration, the project includes construction of a pedestrian bridge over the stream to improve accessibility for visitors while protecting the restored habitat. Fulton Hogan Land Development, in partnership with specialist consultants Woods and RMA Ecology, will spearhead the stream’s restoration, working onsite with Hicks

Council cautions against handling dead or sick birds

With the changing of seasons, the rise in people falling sick is par for the course, but Auckland Council is warning it might not be sickness as usual.

While there has not been a case of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Aotearoa, Council’s environmental services general manager Samantha Hill said it was likely to reach New Zealand because it was spreading in locations where migratory birds visit. Council has undertaken health and safety planning to prepare for the arrival of HPAI, and has distributed personal protective gear (PPE) to key sites.

“That PPE has also been placed on islands including Waiheke and Aotea to ensure that our kaimahi there have access to the gear when they need it. It will be impossible to eradicate once it arrives but we can reduce the impact by being prepared,” Hill said.

Councillor Wayne Walker raised concerns about the lack of information around the vectors for spread that was available to the public.

Council is asking the public to report sightings of an unusual number of dead or sick birds

“It is really important to be upfront and advise people. We do know that if you get it, there’s a high chance you are going to die – this is hugely significant and there is virtually no publicity about this anywhere,” Walker said.

Construction.

Extensive landscape planting will line the stream’s edges, helping to stabilise and naturalise the area. A Council spokesperson said this process was scheduled for completion by mid-May and would involve minor alterations to the amenity lawn area, including reconfigured car parking and minor adjustments to dog access. Some exotic trees will be removed, though the beloved pōhutukawa will remain, alongside new plantings.

Hill said the disease can affect some mammal species including humans but human infection has been rare and generally only in people who have high levels of contact with infected birds. She said there was a lot they didn’t know about HPAI because it hadn’t reached New Zealand yet, so it was unclear how it would move through avian species or humans.

The national response would be led by the Ministry for Primary Industries but Hill says Council would play a regional role, particularly in managing sick and dead birds in public spaces. Council is asking the public to report sightings of an unusual number of dead or sick birds (three or more) to Biosecurity New Zealand’s hotline, and warns public not to handle the birds.

To report groups of three or more sick or dead birds call 0800 809 966

Additional reporting by Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, funded by NZ On Air

Coast businesses leading the way on climate action

Eight Hibiscus Coast businesses have been recognised for taking climate action steps as part of the Green Scheme.

Scheme manager Sarah Carr said the idea was to recognise businesses who adopt sustainable and environmentally-friendly ways of operating by awarding them eco labels. She said the scheme was an important enabler for businesses who are called on to do their part in delivering on the targets set out by Auckland Council’s climate plan.

“Many small businesses on the Coast are already taking climate actions so it’s easy to get started with earning the first label. As businesses engage with us, we work with them over time to take more impactful actions.

“We understand that some actions are harder to achieve, such as going carbon neutral, and some are quite industryspecific such as dealing with food waste.”

Silverdale peanut butter manufacturer, Forty Thieves has earned 11 eco labels. Co-owner Shyr Godfrey said they are committed to manufacturing products that have a minimal impact on the environment. They used the Toitū Carbon Assess tool to calculate the carbon emitted within their supply chain, and are funding multiple tree planting initiatives to offset their carbon footprint.

“The Green Scheme offered us recognition for efforts our business was already making every day. It was really simple to do and we recommend that all businesses on the

Coast get involved,” Godfrey said.

To earn a label, businesses have to take actions ranging in complexity from waste audits and food scrap composting through to local procurement and diverting items from landfill. Acknowledging that it is a long-term change for most businesses, Carr said the series of eco labels allowed for stepped actions over time.

Carr works with businesses in the scheme to increase their actions to earn more labels. When they joined the scheme last year, NZ Sign Solutions earned four eco labels. This year they undertook a waste audit, which helped them start diverting some it away from landfill, to be reused or recycled.

After a 2022 pilot with eight hospitality businesses, scheme co-founder Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste’s Betsy Kettle said they applied for funding under the Auckland Council climate grant. Standing out as one of the only climate applications that engaged businesses, the scheme received funding to expand their efforts.

“We started with food waste with the idea to modify soil in our area so we can grow more of our food locally, also reducing our carbon footprint,” Kettle said.

Last year, the Green Scheme partnered with Business Whangaparāoa to expand into new business categories. Carr said that broadening the scheme involved research to find solutions or alternative actions for the issues faced by a diverse range of businesses, from hairdressers to lawyers.

Special gift – He pounamu māna motuhake

After 34 years of service, Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure centre manager Lynda Luiten was farewelled by Auckland Council in a special ceremony – He pounamu māna motuhake, a very special gift.

It was a symbolic gesture with the leisure centre gifting Lynda back to her family, in an acknowledgement of the time Lynda spent away from her family in service of the community.

H“People ask me how I stayed here for 34 years but it’s easy, love what you do,” Lynda said.

aving been actively involved since its inception in 1988, Lynda has recently handed over stewardship of the community that she built around the leisure centre. In particular, Lynda’s legacy is the robust recreation programme she built in more than three decades at the centre.

It included programmes such as Sporty Kids, where Lynda involved parents in teaching under-fives how to catch a ball without getting hit in the face, and Rocket Rally which was an evening programme Lynda introduce for working adults when she realised the centre only catered to seniors in the mornings.

Lynda fought to keep prices low so people could visit the centre multiple times a week instead of just once a week. The social fabric of the centre is evident with one of Lynda’s first adult badminton students, now in her mid-nineties, still stopping by the centre to say hi.

“My job was to hit her racket with the shuttle, not for her to hit the shuttle. She had never played sport but wanted to get involved after her husband died. For a lot of people, it’s the only time they get to talk to others. That’s

what our centre is about,” Lynda says.

As she hands over to new manager, Rachel Halpin, Lynda says she knows the centre will be in good hands because Rachel shares the same philosophy and heart for the centre.

Rachel started her own journey with the centre as a member in her teens when the centre first opened. In the years since, Rachel has worked in different areas of the centre between stints off for family commitments allowing her to gain a strong customer understanding.

“You are the first person someone sees and you need to make them feel welcome. It can be make or break for somebody new to fitness. My passion is health and wellbeing. I love working with people who are beginning their journey and making them feel comfortable coming here. It doesn’t matter where you start,” Rachel says.

[photo] L-R Sandy Brown, Whangaparāoa Lodge; Aiyleh Bahmani, Queens Beauty; Sarah Carr, Business Whangaparāoa; Liselle Erasmus, Coast T’s Design; Karen Browne,

2024 Green Scheme Awards

From left, Sandy Brown, Whangaparāoa Lodge; Aiyleh Bahmani, Queens Beauty; Sarah Carr, Business Whangaparāoa; Liselle Erasmus, Coast T’s Design; and Karen Browne, NZ Sign Solutions.

Lynda Luiten

Viewpoint

Reflecting on past year

With the end of the year fast approaching I wish everyone all the best for Christmas and New Year. At Auckland Council, the last 12 months have been a mixed bag – uncertainty over the ferry, Gulf Harbour golf course, and development generally. There was also the nonsensical attempt to demolish and sell off North Harbour Stadium, ultimately thwarted by a strong public campaign.

There’s been plenty of good news for our area this year as well – over $10 million in flood relief works fixing roads and slips (largely finished) on the Coast, the $12.5 million Ōrewa seawall starting construction, the move to outsource pool and leisure centres like Stanmore Bay kicked for touch, and substantial investment into our sports fields and community facilities.

With the Coast’s largest infrastructure project, Penlink, it’s been a bit of both – disappointment over the delayed completion date due to bridge ‘design issues’, but the rest of the works along the seven-kilometre route proceeding at real pace, ironically enough.

Similarly with our endeavours to expose the extortionate payments to overseas consultants in the sale of Auckland Airport shares (the proceeds of which have long since disappeared into the debt ether) and a major success in preventing the privatisation of the Ports of Auckland, the council-owned asset which facilitates business across the region and returns substantial dividends to ratepayers.

In amongst all this there’s been a proposal floated just recently to undertake ‘CCO reform’ – in essence absorbing back into council obscurely named CCOs (councilcontrolled organisations) like Eke Panuku and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (with further discussions on the future of Auckland Transport).

Polling over the last decade has made it clear that this corporate structure hasn’t gained the trust or confidence of Aucklanders. These moves are promising but it must also be said in the same breath that the same CCO/Council establishment has become more entrenched and powerful under this mayoralty than any other previously, despite the apparent occasional utterance to the contrary.

Finally, a big thank you to all those individuals in our community who do so much to help people – local community groups, trusts and churches, organisations like KWGS and Hibiscus Coast Ferry – all who’ve taken up the mantle on behalf of others. The same goes for our sports clubs who contribute so much to the fabric of life on the Coast.

We live in a beautiful part of the world and in the scheme of things are indeed most fortunate to have the environment and facilities we have. We also have people prepared to stand up for what they value, not always the case elsewhere in Auckland. So as the Scots say, Lang may yer lum reek! Enjoy your holidays everyone.

LocalOpinion

‘Naturalisation’ a misnomer

The latest update from Auckland Council regarding Ōrewa Reserve (Hibiscus Matters, Nov 18) persists in using the term ‘naturalisation’, which is not aligned with the proposals presented to the local board. Naturalisation is defined as: A) the course of action undertaken to become a citizen of a country other than the country where one was born, or B) the process of a non-native plant or animal becoming, or the state of being, established in the wild so that growth and reproduction is possible without human intervention. Also, and of concern, this is from Global Environment Change 2002: “Naturalisation, in the context of Earth and Planetary Sciences, refers to a process of social control that maintains the existing order by keeping needs hidden and asserting that it is natural. This can be achieved through rituals, group work experiences, and socialisation, which suppress desires and prevent their expression.” Perhaps a better term would be ‘neutralisation’, as the potential outcome of the proposals according to the Civil Engineers Shoreline Hazard Report, is to return the environment to its base state, ocean and seabed.

Colin Selfe, Red Beach

Why leave the peninsula to shop?

“Buy local!” everyone cries, but are we remaining true to our ideals? It’s very clear to me that business is struggling on the Coast, especially in the retail sector. Even subliminally, we all realise this as we traipse down the hallway of sorrows to Countdown. It’s called Woolworths now, but the Australasian management can’t justify the cost of a new sign in this windswept part of their realm. The last bank disappeared without a whimper a few years ago, appealing, “We’re still in Ōrewa,” but the peninsula is the poorer for it. I know it’s unrealistic trying to recreate times past but most of us are now departing the Bay of Whales, perhaps forgetting the business health of our community. Even property values ultimately depend on the presence of a solid trading hub. Brave new ventures like Longevity & Wellness Centre offering

a vast array of well-priced health services must wonder where everyone has gone. At Friday drinks we recall the likes of Eddie Law and Great Northern Merchants once being the centre of DIY in the area. Mitre 10 now occupies the space where The Warehouse once was and must also lament the lack of custom. I’m not saying it’s an easy fix as there are often genuine reasons to shop elsewhere. But it’d be great to think we can nurture Whangaparāoa business by spending a good slice of what we earn here. Who knows, we may even attract a buyer for the burned-out golf course, instead of developers licking their lips at 400 more houses needing off-peninsula supplies.

Dr Paul Pickering, Matakatia

Ōrewa Reserve management plan

Ōrewa reserve management (Hibiscus Matters, November 18) is a topic with a history of proposals over a number of years. The latest update by Council, unanimously accepted by the Local Board in March, presented four proposals all recommending naturalisation – Letting nature take its course while developing sand dunes and plantings. The negatives of the naturalisation approach include: Removal/relocation of the basketball, volleyball courts and playground • Progressive removal of Norfolk and Pohutukawa trees • Loss of between a third to a half of grassed reserve • Relocating the car park with no certainty of retaining car park numbers. A group of concerned residents formed Ōrewa Reserve Community Association (ORCA) and submitted a report to the board in July, asking for a fifth option to be added –construction of a seawall (Hibiscus Matters, September 9). The positives of the ORCA seawall proposal significantly outweigh the naturalisation proposal: Stops erosion of the Ōrewa Reserve • Negates the costly need to relocate existing assets and car park • Negates the need for costly sand replenishment • Creates a dry sand beach and ramp access to the beach • Integrates north to south paths/cycleways along coastal boardwalk • Provides commercial benefits to local businesses • Cost-effective The board advised the ORCA proposal would be considered as public consultation. For information visit the ORCA Facebook page or 021 753178

Chris Carter, Ōrewa

BOOK HEAVEN

Dynamic lane time change

Motorists on Whangaparāoa Road may have noticed a slight change in the times that the dynamic lane system has been working.

On November 25, the operating times changed to 5.30am to 9.30am. Previously, they had operated between 5.45am and 9am. There has been no change to the afternoon times of 4pm to 7pm.

Auckland Transport (AT) says the slight extension in the morning times reflects traffic movements.

“We’ve noticed this road often gets busy

early in the morning, so they are maximising the existing road space to save commuters precious time” Hibiscus and Bays Local Board chair Alexis Poppelbaum says. Installed in 2018, the dynamic lane utilises the median strip as an additional lane during peak times. Albany Ward Councillor John Watson says dynamic laning has been a real success in reducing congestion on Whangaparāoa, and it is cost-effective and relatively quick to implement. AT will look at extending the afternoon times next year.

New alcohol rules kick in before Christmas

From December 9, there will be changes to the hours that alcohol can be sold under Auckland’s new local alcohol policy which was adopted unanimously by the mayor and councillors in August. Off-licences will not be able to sell alcohol after 9pm. This applies to bottle shops, supermarkets and other shops that sell alcohol to take away. Licensed bars, restaurants and clubs will be able to sell alcohol up until 3am (4am in the city centre), as long as their licence currently permits them to do this. Sports clubs and RSAs will be able to sell alcohol until 1am if they are licensed to do so. The policy will not impact trading hours for special licences for festivals and events which will continue to be assessed by the District Licensing Committee.

Ōrewa Library is taking shape

In business

Michael Goudie michael@teandem.co.nz

Reflect, Review, and Reset

I’ve come to value the Christmas break as a time to take stock of what’s working, what could be better, and where we’re heading as a team. It’s not just about reviewing the numbers or setting goals – it’s also a chance to check in and make sure everyone in the business is on the same page. Does the team understand the bigger picture? Are we aligned on the direction we’re heading? This approach isn’t just for business owners, though. Whether you’re building your career, exploring new opportunities, or working out your next steps, taking time to reflect and reset can be hugely valuable. Reflect on the year

The first step is looking back on the year that’s been. For my business, that means diving into sales, cash flow, customer feedback, and team performance. Beyond the numbers, it’s about asking the important questions: Are we working well together? Do we have clarity on our goals? Have we made progress towards the vision we set out at the start of the year? If you’re in a different role, this might mean reviewing your own year. What went well? What challenges did you face, and how did you handle them? Did you grow in the ways you wanted to? This isn’t about focusing on what went wrong— it’s about understanding the big picture of your journey and learning from it. Reaffirm the vision

Once you’ve reflected, the next step is making sure everyone is aligned. For my team, this is a chance to step back from the day-to-day

and reaffirm the bigger picture. Are we still clear on what success looks like? Are our priorities aligned? This helps ensure we’re rowing in the same direction as we move into the new year. If you’re in a different context –whether you’re part of a team or leading one – it’s still a great time to check in on your goals. Are they still relevant? Do they need tweaking based on what you’ve learned this year? Clarity now makes it easier to move forward with confidence.

Plan for what’s next

Finally, take the opportunity to think strategically about the year ahead. For my business, this means setting clear objectives – not just growth targets, but also focusing on how we’ll work together more effectively as a team and what we’ll prioritise. For anyone else, this could mean plotting out your next career step, deciding to upskill, or simply figuring out how to create a better balance between work and life.

A simple habit

Taking time over Christmas to reflect, review, and reset has become an essential habit for me. It gives me clarity, helps me refocus, and ensures my team and I are all heading in the same direction. Whether you’re running a business, building a career, or rethinking your path, I’d encourage you to give it a try. This isn’t about writing a million resolutions you’ll forget by February. It’s about taking the time to understand where you’re at and setting yourself up for a strong start to the new year.

Dennis Oliver • David Joe • Aimee Parangi

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Tis’ the season for giving

Hibiscus Matters is inviting readers to help spread the spirit of Christmas by supporting those who need a little extra cheer this festive season. Donations can be left at the Hibiscus Matters office, 21 Florence Avenue, Ōrewa on weekdays, 9am-4pm, until December 12.

Meet

the

three charities we’re collecting for this year.

Hibiscus Coast Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren Inc

Some of the donations will benefit grandparents who have made the difficult decision to care of their grandchildren, or great grandchildren, full-time and on a permanent basis, as well as the children they are caring for.

Support coordinator Donna Taylor says they run a gift drive each year so the grandparents can ‘shop for free’. The Grans Free Shopping Spree was started after covid to help with the angst of Christmas, particularly the cost.

“Most grandparents are on a pension or have had to give up work to accommodate the children at home,” Taylor says.

“Even the idea of shopping itself can be stressful – some grandparents have mobility issues and they often don’t have babysitters they can call on.

“Just knowing what to buy can be challenging as well.”

Taylor says the Shopping Spree helps ease the load for grandparents.

“It also means they don’t have to go into debt to give the children what they feel is a much-deserved Christmas. With some children coming from family violence and fractured families, the grandparents want to give their all in every way they can.”

Taylor says the support for these grandparents filters down to other members of their immediate families as

well. She says it can mean more food on the table at Christmas time, or more fuel in the car to visit family or friends or to do activities with the children after Christmas.

Saving Hope Foundation

Donations will benefit rescued puppies and dogs, many of whom come into care with worms or fleas. Clean blankets and towels will also help keep young pups clean and are used to aid mother dogs in the community to keep their pups off the cold ground.

Co-founder Janine Hinton says the Christmas and post-Christmas season is hard on the organisation as many of their supporters take a much-needed break over the holidays but †he rescue work doesn’t stop. Through no fault of their own, the animals that come to the shelter have been abused, abandoned, tortured, hurt, traumatised or neglected.

“We frequently have dogs and litters of puppies brought in on Christmas Day and, heartbreakingly, we do see a big increase in families wanting to re-home puppies given as gifts during the holiday period, which further stretches our limited resources,” Hinton says.

The network of volunteers work to rescue, clean, medically recover, rehabilitate, feed, love and re-home the abandoned animals.

Hinton says that ‘rescue dog’ does not mean damaged dog, but it means these dogs have been badly let down by humans. The ultimate goal is to place all their rescue dogs with loving forever homes and owners who will make them part of their family.

Woven Earth

Family violence survivors and their children will be among the collection beneficiaries. Often, they flee a violent relationship with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Though they are alive and physically safe, they have lost everything they own.

Woven Earth founder and chief executive Kerryn Thrupp says Christmas can be a really tough time for many, particularly for those impacted by family violence. When a family finally secures a place to live, they face the harsh reality of moving into an empty house without any way to furnish it to begin rebuilding their lives.

“I still find Christmas difficult. It was so confronting for years after my children and I escaped my abusive marriage. No money or friends, scared every day for our safety, and then having to find a way to make Christmas magical for my children,” Thrupp says.

“But what does stand out is the year a charity gave me a huge box of new toys and wrapping paper. I remember the feeling of tears and relief at having new beautiful things that my children would love unwrapping,” Thrupp says.

Facing homelessness with no money, survivors have to balance caring for traumatised children, managing their own mental and physical health struggles, and navigating a legal system while at their most vulnerable. Thrupp says that some of these barriers prevent people from leaving their abusers, perpetuating an ongoing cycle of violence and, in some cases, death. With support from Woven Earth, a mum of five says they are now on a new journey and can look forward to the future and never look back.

“I’ve had such a rough, violent road in the past and seeing my place set up was such a blessing. This is a place we can finally call home,” she says.

Tracey for a no-obligation chat about your end-of-life planning. With " no-fuss " cremation service starting at just $2995, there are options to suit any budget.

Tracey Brown

Woven Earth founder and chief executive Kerryn Thrupp

Co-founder Janine Hinton

Budget-friendly Christmas festivities for Coast

Fri 6, 5pm: Ōrewa Square and Moana Reserve – Christmas twilight market with live entertainment, food trucks, and Santa

Sat 7, 11am: Silverdale Pioneer Village –Devonshire tea and Christmas favourites with the Hibiscus Coast Concert Band

Sat 7, 2pm: Red Beach Methodist Church – Christmas concert and afternoon tea with Gotta Sing

Sun 8, 10am: Silverdale Tennis Club – Free photos with Santa, childrens’ activities, tennis, and a sausage sizzle

Sun 8, 11am: Coast Plaza – A Very Coastie Christmas artisan market, entertainment, clown and face painting

Sun 8, Noon: Whangaparāoa Library –Christmas Kapa Waiata live Christmas choir with Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa

Wed 11, 11am: Ōrewa Library – Christmas storytime with songs, rhymes, bubbles and a special guest

Fri 13, 7pm: Gulf Rise Retirement Village – Festive Christmas displays, illuminated grounds, live carollers, food trucks and mulled wine

Sat 14, 3pm: Hibiscus Coast RSA –Children’s Christmas party, all welcome

Sat 14, 6pm: Hibiscus Coast RSA – Adults’ Christmas party, all welcome

Sat 14, 10am: Gulf Harbour Village –Carols at the canal, with free sausage sizzle, bouncy castles, food trucks and market stalls

Fri 20, 7pm: Centrestage Theatre –Christmas carols on the lawn, bring a picnic and the family

Wed 25, Noon: Bowls Ōrewa – Christmas lunch, all welcome.

Dec 1-24, 10am: Whangaparāoa Baptist Church – Christmas trees for sale in the carpark, 10am-6pm daily

Don your favourite Christmas sweater and jump in the car after dark, for a tour of the Coast’s Christmas light displays: Whangaparāoa peninsula: Vista Motu, Red Beach • Bella Vista Drive, Red Beach • Gulf Rise retirement village, Symes Drive • Barwick place, off Rishworth Avenue, Stanmore Bay • Clea View, Tindalls Bay • In the Matakatia dip, on the corner of Zita Avenue • Waterside Crescent town houses, Gulf Harbour • Laurie Southwick Parade, Gulf Harbour • Ōrewa: Holiday house, beside Moana Reserve • Town centre businesses • West Hoe Heights • Millwater & Milldale • Kotiti Drive • Bonair Crescent • Arran Point Parade • Bridal Place. Follow the pinned post on facebook.com/ Hibiscusmatters for updates on Coastie’s Christmas lights displays.

A world of research, knowledge

Santa steals the show in biggest ever parade

One of the largest Ōrewa Beach Santa Parades in the event’s history took place on Saturday, November 23.

A record number of 57 floats – almost 100 vehicles and groups – took part in the procession from Alice Avenue along the highway to the Ōrewa Beach Reserve carpark. Ten thousand onlookers lined the route to watch the parade pass. The parade has been a feature of Christmas on the Coast for more than two decades.

Floats were put together by local businesses, clubs and community organisations in an

annual effort that brings the whole Coast together to create a fun start to Christmas.

An anonymous judge with a bird’s-eye view evaluated the floats for crowd engagement, enthusiasm volume, vibrancy and overall look.

Along with old favourite cartoon characters, the children were excited to see the popular purple Grimace (from McDonalds). Vintage, classic and hot rod cars, motorbikes, skaters, stilt walkers and cheerleaders, as well as anyone handing out lollies, were also a hit with the young ones.

As always Santa was the star of the show, arriving on his new sleigh built by Silverdale resident Christine Granger (HM November 18).

Destination Ōrewa Beach manager Hellen Wilkins said they had record-breaking numbers for the parade and float numbers for next year’s event would have to be managed.

“Events like this are one of the most rewarding parts of our job. We work in an amazing town centre and participants travel from across Auckland to be in our parade.

“It was incredible to see the turnout – at

some points the crowd was 10-12 people deep. Every year, Gayle [Hill] and I look at the smiles on their faces and it makes it all worthwhile.”

Wilkins said the only disappointment was the safety concerns with children encroaching on the parade route and some even sitting in the centre of the road.

“We had 40 road marshals along the parade route, but we need parents’ to support us by keeping their children safe and off the road,” Wilkins said.

continued p13

Photos, Terry Moore

group

An African-themed fundraiser by Rotary ŌrewaMillwater, Eats and Beats on Moana Reserve, provided a colourful market to browse through before the start of the parade. It included African clothing, food and music from stallholders who had travelled from around Auckland to take part. For variety, Mexican, Turkish and Mr Whippy food trucks were also in the mix!

Behind the scenes

As always, the preparation that goes on ahead of the Santa Parade is immense for the businesses and community organisations that take part. The public gets a glimpse of that as participants prepare. This year DaeHan TaeKwondo’s warm-up was particularly impressive, drawing a crowd as the young people went through their paces.

from the Cook Islands joined the parade for the first time, adding Pasifika flair, colour, dance and drums.

The Glow Space

The owner of The Glow Space in Manly knows first-hand how a person’s appearance can significantly influence their psychological well-being, self-esteem and social interactions.

In the months after her son Oscar’s birth, Annabel Birch-Patel says she felt like her identity had changed and she lacked her pre-motherhood confidence.

“I had a wrinkle reduction treatment and couldn’t believe how it made me feel,” she says. “It had a huge impact on my selfconfidence and it motivated me to give other people the same experience.”

With 13 years nursing experience behind her, Annabel did a postgraduate course in facial aesthetics and, in July, opened a treatment room beside her home – a private and quiet retreat where new clients, both women and men, begin with a free consultation to determine the best treatment for their skin type, routine,

lifestyle and likely sun exposure.

“Once I know what they want to achieve, I can recommend a treatment that will give them a natural result that can’t be detected.

“Everything I do is overseen by a doctor who audits my notes every month.”

Annabel and husband Dino moved from Avondale to the Coast in 2020.

“Covid shifted out priorities and we wanted to raise our two boys in a community. It was an awesome decision that we’ve never regretted.”

Although they are new to the Coast, they both have connections here – Annabel spent a lot of time visiting her grandparents, Barbara and the late Barry Lereculey, at Army Bay, and Dino’s parents once owned the Hilltop Indian Restaurant on Hibiscus Coast Highway.

“I loved nursing, but I think I’ve now found my passion. It’s priceless to see the transformation that a carefully structured cosmetic treatment can deliver.”

New $18.5m helicopter for north

Auckland and Northland emergency air ambulance provider Northern Rescue Helicopter has bought another Leonardo AW169 helicopter as part of its fleet modernisation programme.

The near-new helicopter has just 70 hours’ flying on the clock and cost more than $18.5 million, funded by Te Whatu Ora Health NZ and ACC. The purchase follows Northern Rescue’s agreement in May to lease another two AW169s from Dublin-based aircraft leasing group Milestone Aviation.

Northern Rescue chief executive Ian MacPherson said the latest purchase from the US marked a significant milestone in its plans to upgrade to a fleet of five AW169 helicopters in future.

With the three latest acquisitions due to arrive over the next few months, he said the plan was to have four AW169s and one Sikorsky S76 in service across both Northland and Auckland bases by next September.

“At that time, the BK117 at Ardmore and one of the S76s in Whangārei will be retired. The last remaining S76 in Whangārei will be retired once we’ve sourced another AW169,” he said.

Northern Rescue Helicopter is a joint venture between the Auckland Rescue Helicopter

Trust and the Northland Emergency Services Trust established in 2021, providing medical assistance and emergency air ambulance transport to 1.85 million people living from the Coromandel to Cape Reinga.

MacPherson said the AW169s were the emergency helicopter of choice going forward as they had state of the art capabilities and avionics systems, plus large, easy-toreconfigure cabins, which allowed the latest medical equipment to be fitted and clinical teams to deliver lifesaving care to patients.

“We acknowledge that this deal would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the Crown funders, together with our two trusts, and not to mention the public of Auckland and Northland for their unwavering support over three decades.”

The new AW169 and two leased models are part of a government investment programme to supply eight new emergency helicopters to upgrade and replace the ageing air ambulance fleet across New Zealand.

In the last three years, air ambulance use has increased nationally by 21 per cent, with the total fleet flying 13,026 hours in the year to October 2023, an average of more than 35 hours every day.

Annabel Birch-Patel

Northern Rescue plans to expand to fleet of five AW169s in future.

Tiritiri Matangi

John Stewart secretary@tiritirimatangi.org.nz

Warm welcome for little penguin families

Tiritiri Matangi is home to some hundreds of nesting kororā, little penguins. They have been living on the island for decades, perhaps much longer.

On the mainland, they are vulnerable to attacks from dogs and sometimes to competition from humans for their preferred nesting sites. But on the island, they are relatively safe. There are plenty of available nesting sites in holes under flax bushes and other vegetation, under buildings and boardwalks, in drainage pipes, and even in wooden nest boxes (where we can easily follow their progress through the season).

The nesting season begins around July and can end as late as February, if they make two attempts. On a typical evening, just as it’s getting dark, the kororā assemble in small groups a few tens of metres offshore, where we can hear their donkey-like braying calls. Once they consider it sufficiently dark for a safe landing, the kororā arrive at the waters’ edge and quickly cross the beach and into the cover of the vegetation. Once ashore they head for their chosen nest location which can be anywhere from a few metres to over a kilometre inland.

Each female lays two eggs which the parents take turns to incubate, until the eggs hatch about five weeks later. One parent will then stay with the young chicks until they are about three to five weeks old. The chicks fledge once they are seven or eight weeks’ old.

During chick rearing the parents need to find enough food for themselves and their chicks. As the kororā cannot fly, and need to return to the nest about 24 hours after leaving, they can only feed within about 20 kilometres of their nest site. They feed on small fish, crustaceans and squid.

A year ago, around early October, all of

the chicks on Tiritiri Matangi Island, Motuora Island, and at other sites around the Hauraki Gulf died, probably from starvation. It’s likely that the parents couldn’t find enough food to bring back to the chicks so abandoned them. Penguins are long-lived, perhaps 15-20 years, and it works out better for them if the adults abandon their chicks so that they can survive to try again in future years. Of course, if it’s really bad then the adults will die as well.

We didn’t know whether this had happened until this June when lots of adults returned safely with their mates and reclaimed their nest boxes. This year the kororā have been much more successful with most pairs raising two big healthy chicks, many of which have already fledged. A few parents seem to be about to try for a second family.

Episodes like this provide useful information about the state of the gulf at a local level. These ups and downs have occurred over many years and no clear pattern has yet emerged. We are watching carefully, hoping that kororā have a longterm future in the gulf.

Location, Location, Location!

Diamond jubilee for community service club

In a time when traditional service clubs are struggling to survive, the Ōrewa Lions Club is defying expectations with its active membership.

Last month, the service club marked 60 years of community involvement on the Hibiscus Coast. Club president Wendy Miller said m any of their 49 members are actively involved attending business meetings, social events or service activities. There is still some concern about the club’s future with few applications for membership. Wendy attributes this in part to awareness of the club and what it does and in part to people being more time-poor now than in the past. So she suggests people start by joining the club for a dinner or service activity first, before attending a business meeting to see how the club operates.

“That way people can engage with us and understand what we’re about, before deciding to join the club officially.

People have the perception that we are fundraisers but Lions are a not-for-profit service organisation and everything we do is for the community. Any money raised is a bonus and is ultimately returned to various community groups,” Wendy said.

Club life member Stuart Flexman has notched up sixty years of service, having started the club in 1964 with 51 other Coast businessmen. At the time it was indeed exclusively open for men to join though things have since changed, and today the club has an almost equal number of women and men.

“Back in those days, the men who joined were for the most part young men, and men who were willing to put a lot of effort into their local community. Most of us were plumbers, builders, electricians, drain layers, working men who were willing to spend some of our free time working in the community,” Flexman said.

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Over the last six decades, the club has been involved in many projects on the Coast. Even before the club was made official, members banded together in 1960 to build pathways through Alice Eaves Bush to make it accessible for the wider community. Other significant projects include painting the Silverdale Historic Village buildings, construction of the Ōrewa Lookout, painting the inside of Centrestage Theatre, and the popular annual Big Dig held every summer in Ōrewa.

Wendy said that there is also an important social aspect to the club where people can build lasting friendships.

“I’ve been a part of Lions for 44 years and people often ask me why. It keeps me busy, it keeps me young. I like doing what I do with the club. But most importantly, there is a pride in belonging to the Ōrewa Lions Club, a club that has contributed in so many ways to the local community,” Wendy said.

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| ocial occasions

From left, Cake Cutting with Life Members Peter McKinney, Stuart Flexman, Tom Mutch. Guest Speaker Maria WalkerKinnell, Orewa College with President Wendy Miller. From left, standing Tom Mutch Life Member, Stuart Flexman Charter & Life Member, Peter McKinney Life Member. Sitting Harry Cammish Life Member. Photos, Little Doves Photography

From top, eter Henderson presented a Melvin Jones Fellowship to Daryl Crosby, the highest honour a club can bestow on its members. Lion Audrey Metcalfe, Life Member Harry Wills, Past International Director Eric Carter

New Coastie

Ed Amon edamonnz@gmail.com

An endless summer across cultures

Ah, summer! The season where we realise our bodies are not ready for display at the beach, go camping, and have lots of barbecues. However, taihoa koutou ka kite, soon you will see summer isn’t just about beach days and barbecues.

Around the world, the warmest months are filled with unique traditions, peculiar festivals, and a whole lot of dancing. Let’s take a cheeky look at some of these celebrations and maybe I can entice you to have a double summer once ours ends.

In Sweden, on a day between 19 and 25 June every year, Swedes gather around the midsummer pole also called the maypole. It’s time for some serious dancing and singing! These folks twirl around the pole like they’ve had too many potatoes, pickled herring, aquavit (schnapps), and strawberries. Because nothing says celebration like drinking shots of something that smells like the ocean. It is a medieval tradition not to be missed.

In Spain, summer isn’t complete without La Tomatina – the festival where you can throw tomatoes at anyone and everyone without facing criminal charges. Held in Buñol, this food fight has people hurling squishy tomatoes at each other for an hour. There are theories about how it all started but do we really need to know? After an hour of the tomato war, you might want to take a dip in the river or get hosed down by a kind local.

Over in Japan, summer brings the Obon Festival, where spirits of ancestors return to visit their families. It is a traditional family reunion, but with paper lanterns, dancing, and less awkward small talk. Families gather to celebrate the spirits with food, visiting graves, and Bon Odori – a traditional dance. The festival is a real opportunity to understand Japanese culture. You never know, your ancestors might visit you as well.

Holi, now celebrated around the world, is the festival of colours and is the biggest party in the world. In psychedelic joyous battle people throw coloured powder at each other. Everybody is a friend, there are no foes, and the only weapon is a fistful of colour. The best place to celebrate Holi is India. Born in Pakistan, it is difficult for me to visit India (ahem, there’s a 77-yearold grudge between Pakistan and India) but if I do visit, it will be during Holi. Who needs fireworks when you’ve got kites? Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the start of spring and honour the sun god Surya. During the festival, the skies of India are filled with colourful kites. There are kite battles where the goal is to cut the string of the opponent’s kite with your kite.

So, whether you’re throwing tomatoes in Spain, dancing around poles in Sweden,

or engaging in a kite battle in India, every culture has found its own way to squeeze the most fun out of the summer season. Being in the southern hemisphere we will enjoy our summer with the quintessential beach trips, camping, barbecues, and ice cream. Then, as soon as March arrives, plan a trip to continue your summer around the world. Grab your sunglasses, pack your sunscreen (and maybe a few tomatoes), and celebrate summer in a different culture as the season hits the northern hemisphere.

Coastal Christmas Lights

Join us in the festive spirit as Gulf Rise Retirement Village lights up with stunning Christmas displays. Stroll through the illuminated grounds and enjoy live carolers. Food trucks will be on-site and we’ll have a sausage sizzle for all. Our café will be serving refreshing drinks including a festive mulled wine.

Friday 13 December, from 7pm 89 Symes Drive, Red Beach

• Monthly and end of year accounts and tax returns.

• Business planning and advice

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• Cashbooks, Xero & MYOB

• GST, PAYE, FBT

• Agent with IRD PO Box 308 001, Manly Whangaparaoa 0952

Phone: 09 424 4684 Mobile: 021 912 184 Fax: 09 424 4688 greg@douglasconsulting.co.nz www.douglasconsulting.co.nz

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New Lifestyle Opportunity at Hudson Grounds – Warkworth’s Latest Premium Development

Nine years ago, land acquisition began to bring the vision of a unique and special community to life. A project of passion, Hudson Warkworth has been designed and built by locals, and aims to combine the best of rural living with the enjoyment of urban life.

Hudson Grounds, the latest local development at the site, is now offering an exclusive opportunity for early movers to build architecturally designed homes within a picturesque, natural bush environment.

Hudson Grounds – The First Stage of an Exciting New Development

As the opening phase of the larger Hudson Warkworth project, Hudson Grounds sets the tone for what is shaping up to be one of our region’s most desirable communities. With its impressive location and deeply considered design, this development is aimed at families, empty nesters, and active individuals who value both style and lifestyle.

It’s a rare opportunity for locals and those looking to move from Auckland to secure a slice of paradise with all the benefits unseen from a premium residential development to date.

A Commitment to Quality and Space

The first release of 12 freehold lots, sized between 600 to 780 square metres, is now available. With generous sections that offer stunning views of mature native bush and rural countryside, Hudson Grounds homeowners have an opportunity to create outdoor living spaces that embrace the peaceful surroundings and natural environment.

Each lot is part of a meticulously landscaped 19-hectare site, showcasing crafted stone walls, emerald lawns, and thoughtfully designed gardens. The care taken in the presentation of the grounds sets the standard for the quality that can be expected in the broader Hudson Warkworth development. Buyers can choose to work with their own architects and builders or select from trusted Build Partners, ensuring design flexibility while maintaining the high standards expected of the community.

Resort-style living planned for Hudson Warkworth

A key drawcard for Hudson Grounds is the extensive range of resort-style amenities planned for the additional development, which will be called Hudson Villages. At the heart of the community will be the future Clubhouse, set to open in 2026. The Clubhouse will include a bar, cafe/restaurant, serving chef-prepared dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re dining out, want home catering, or need a meal delivered, residents will have a range of convenient, top-quality options at their fingertips.

Strong Interest and Early Opportunities

A key drawcard for Hudson Grounds is the extensive range of resort-style amenities planned for the additional development, which will be called Hudson Villages. At the heart of the community will be the future Clubhouse, set to open in 2026. The Clubhouse will include a bar, cafe/restaurant, serving chef-prepared dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re dining out, want home catering, or a meal delivered, residents will have a range of convenient, top-quality options at their fingertips.

Those looking for personalised wellness routines will appreciate the planned world-class Health Club, which will feature a heated 20-metre swimming pool, sauna, spa pool, ice baths, Pilates studio and a fully equipped gym.

Strong Interest and Early Opportunities

For those who act early, there’s a significant first-mover advantage in terms of choice and timing.” In fact, the appeal is so enticing, that Clementson, a Warkworth local, is moving into the development herself.

Hudson Grounds is designed to provide a lifestyle that combines the best of nature with the comfort and convenience of modern living.

Discover Hudson Grounds for Yourself

For those who are curious, a visit to the site at 223 Falls Road and the Sales Suite at 12 Queen Street, Warkworth, is the best way to understand the vision behind Hudson Grounds. It’s a development designed to make the most of Warkworth’ s natural beauty, and the wider Matakana Coast lifestyle while offering the benefits of a well-planned, resort-style community. To learn more, visit hudsonwarkworth.nz or contact Kim on 027 496 4363 to book an appointment.

Kim Clementson, Head of Sales at Hudson Warkworth, notes that the first stage of Hudson Grounds is already generating strong interest from prospective buyers. “There’s something special about Hudson Grounds,” she says. “It offers a sanctuary for those looking to escape the busy city life or high maintenance acreage, but still be within easy reach of Auckland. This development isn’t just about owning a piece of land; it’s about embracing a once-in-a-lifetime lifestyle. For those who act early, there’s a significant first-mover advantage in terms of choice and timing.” In fact, the appeal is so enticing, that Clementson, a Warkworth local, is moving into the development herself.

Clementson encourages those interested to visit the site and see for themselves what makes Hudson Grounds unique.

“With construction of the Clubhouse scheduled to begin in early 2025 and completion in 2026, now is the perfect time to get involved. Building a new home takes time, and starting now means your dream home could be ready just as the new amenities are ready.”

Clementson encourages those interested to visit the site and see for themselves what makes Hudson Grounds unique. “With construction of the Clubhouse scheduled to begin in early 2025 and completion in 2026, now is the perfect time to get involved. Building a new home takes time, and starting now means your dream home could be ready just as the new amenities are ready.”

To learn more, visit hudsonwarkworth.nz or contact Kim on 027 496 4363 to book an appointment.

The Hibiscus Coast lost one of its champions with the passing of Margaret Christie, late of Ōrewa, on October 21. For nearly 70 years, Margaret contributed to life on the Coast in many diverse ways, from her involvement with Centrestage Theatre to St Chad’s Church, Plunket and, particularly, Hato Hone St John. She served the Hibiscus Coast St John for 31 years and was awarded a Service Medal in 1995 and admitted to the Order of St John by Queen Elizabeth II. At the time of her death, aged 101 years, she was the organisation’s oldest Order Member in New Zealand and one of four generations of her family in St John. In a tribute to Margaret’s contribution, St John Chancellor John Whitehead conveyed his gratitude for her “service and selfless dedication and commitment to the Hibiscus Coast community”.

Born in Auckland, Margaret grew up in Warkworth where her father George Robertson was the sole charge police officer. His territory stretched from the southern bridge in Ōrewa to Warkworth, an area which he policed on horseback.

Vale

Margaret Christie

As one of seven children including five brothers, it was a noisy and boisterous household, where tennis and football were regularly played in the long hallway.

After finishing school, Margaret went to work in McDowall’s, the local drapery store. While New Zealand servicemen were overseas fighting in World War II, Warkworth was over-run with 10,000 American soldiers on R&R. Many great stories were told around her kitchen table about these times and she particularly remembered the novelty of being given ice cream in the middle of winter, as it was normally just a summer treat.

When Margaret’s father died in 1949, her mother moved to a holiday home they had owned in Ōrewa, opposite the camp ground. Margaret worked in a cake shop in Auckland and it was during this time she met Max Christie, also from Warkworth. The couple were married in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Silverdale in 1953 and set up house in Riverside Road. This was where Max based his electrical business, at the front of the property, which is now a flower shop.

As a young mother, Margaret was a member of Plunket and the St Chads Mothers Union. She was actively involved in church life and even at 99, was still helping at the Op Shop, sorting and pricing items. Around 1950, when St Chads services were held in the old Ōrewa Hall, Margaret was instrumental in helping to fundraise for the first church built in 1953 and recently demolished to make way for a new building. One of her events was the much-anticipated annual Church Ball. She was also sexton for the church cemetery in Silverdale, a position she inherited from Max, and which has now passed to her daughter Barbara. Margaret worked at the IGA in Ōrewa for many years before joining Max in the family electrical business, which by then had relocated to the main road in Ōrewa. She was also the volunteer booking officer for the Ōrewa Hall and Centrestage Theatre during these years. Originally called the United Players, her contribution to Centrestage was enormous, from catering for dinner shows to ushering and prop making, and she has been the company’s patron for the past 20 years.

Mum always loved flowers and although she wasn’t a trained florist, she could create the most amazing bouquets for people.

Margaret’s tireless and outstanding work in the community was recognised with a Community Service Award in 1992, presented by Rodney District Council. In 2010 she was awarded a New Zealander of the Year – Local Hero Award for her services to the theatre and in 2000, she received the Queens Service Medal, travelling to Wellington with her family to be invested by the then Governor General, Sir Michael Hardie-Boyes. Daughter Barbara Everiss remembers how supportive her mother had been when she set-up her florist business, still helping out until the business was sold six years ago. “Mum always loved flowers and although she wasn’t a trained florist, she could create the most amazing bouquets for people. She assisted me a great deal in my business and it took a lot of the pressure off me – I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Margaret adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, with Great Grandma’s treat box a special favourite. She passed away peacefully at Maygrove Village surrounded by family.

Health

David Cooper, physiotherapist david@kineticsrehab.co.nz

Humble honeybee knows all

Over the last few weeks, we have been graced with warmer temperatures, more sunlight and a welcome reprieve from a rather wet winter. A long held pastime of mine also increases in frequency, with beehive inspections now becoming a weekly activity.

In summer, the warmer temperatures prompt the hive to steadily become more busier. The queen becomes more active and starts to lay eggs at a peak of 3000+ per day while foraging bees go to work. Pretty soon the hive population is exploding, sometimes leading a portion of them to ‘swarm’. This occurs either because the bees lack space, or because they have staged a coup and decided that the queen needs to be replaced. Even the smallest citizens live in a democratic society!

Unfortunately, honeybees cannot survive for long outside of a managed hive, so unless a local bee enthusiast collects the swarm, they will likely perish. The ball of bees often seen hanging from a branch are usually docile, in part because they gorge themselves with honey to the point of intoxication before leaving the hive. I collected a large swarm from Gulf Harbour and they have quite happily taken to their new hive box at home.

So how does one draw a philosophical connection between honeybees, humans, and life in 2024? Here are five tips that these humble, busy little creatures can teach us:

Get outside and enjoy the sunshine Getting outdoors is good for our physical and mental wellbeing in so many ways. Our Vitamin D levels, typically low due to the long winter, need to be boosted so our immune system can cope with any ailments or illnesses.

Teamwork. The end of the year tends to create a bit of chaos with busy work, and

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social, calendars. A job shared is a job halved. Look to support others, as you ask for support yourself!

Consensus. When a hive swarms, the scout bees go out looking for a new location. On returning, they perform a ‘waggle dance’ to tell the other bees all about the new spot. The more enthusiastic the dance, the more that other bees start to replicate it until there is enough consensus that they agree on their new home. Nature’s own democratic process!

Be agreeable. Unlike the wasp (a truly grumpy, angry insect), a honeybee will only ever sting if it is feeling threatened. Before this they will literally tell you to ‘buzz off’ with a loud buzzing, or bump into you to encourage the threat to move on. A honeybee dies after stinging, so being conflict-averse is critical to survival. At times perhaps we too should learn to let things go. Maybe acknowledge that people have different points of view, and then respectfully agree to disagree. It’s far more pleasant to live in harmony than to either seek out or approach life in a combative way.

Responsibility. Each bee in the hive has a role to play that changes dependant on the type or even age of the bee. Given worker bees only live around 6 weeks throughout the summer period, the younger bees will forage while older worker bees are more likely to be put to task within the hive. Taking responsibility for our own wellbeing, for the communities we live in, and for nature itself as we get outside this summer is a lesson we can all learn from the honeybee.

So this summer, moving forward into the holiday period and then into 2025, think like the honeybee. I wish everyone the best over the Christmas and New Year period to come back refreshed and ready to tackle 2025 with enthusiasm and vigour.

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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.

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83 Intestine part (5)

84 Grown-ups (6)

85 Become familiar with customs and procedures of an organisation (5,3,5) DOWN

2 Lawlessness (7)

3 Wish granter (5)

4 Unwell (3)

5 Horned animal (4)

6 Fish dressing (7,5)

7 Heavy spiral seashell (5)

8 Depict (7)

9 Heavy metal (4)

10 Climbed (6)

11 Fry quickly (5)

12 Green vegetable (7)

13 Speaking only one language (11)

14 Shortfall (7)

20 Added wing (9)

23 Light fur (anag)(8)

24 Angled (7)

26 Difficulty (7)

27 Dryness (6)

29 Short pithy saying (7)

30 Race sections (6)

32 Excessively fat (5)

34 Hardy fabric (5)

36 Turning machine (5)

38 Military flute (4)

43 Close-fitting (5)

44 Strategic withdrawal (7)

45 Hankering (4)

46 Legendary race of female warriors (6)

47 Trail followed (5)

48 Mixed-up word puzzles (8)

49 Soaring firework (9)

50 Afternoon performance (7)

51 Restrict (5)

52 Ancient two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle (7)

53 Irresistible impulse to steal (11)

54 Eat hungrily, quickly (6)

55 Extremely ill (2,6,4)

64 Repeated decorative design (7)

65 Sovereign (7)

67 Perceives (7)

© The Puzzle Company

69 Put to death (7)

Debated (6)

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Educator draws on first-hand experience

First-hand experience with the water safety slogan ‘Anyone can drown, but no one should’ drove Madison Chang to turn his traumatic experience into an educational service.

A community team leader at Drowning Prevention Auckland (DPA), Chang wasn’t always an expert in water safety. Fifteen years ago he nearly drowned while on a boating trip with his father in the Coromandel.

“It was our first time in a boat and we had no knowledge at all. We went with my father’s friend who was relatively more experienced, but we all got into trouble in the water.

“Also, the skipper didn’t offer us life jackets, his compass wasn’t working, and he took us out at sunset, which is the wrong time to go boating.” Chang said.

At the time, Chang wasn’t aware of just how dangerous his boat trip was, which makes him even more thankful to Surf

Lifesaving New Zealand (SLSNZ) for the rescue.

“Someone came and picked us up. It was very traumatic and the memory stayed with me,” Chang said.

The experience spurred Chang on a journey to gain skills and education on how to stay safe when engaging in water activities. He says the danger is when people panic as they realise that they are in trouble.

Working for DPA, a charitable organisation that collaborates with SLSNZ, Coastguard, and Auckland Council, Chang provides community education talks on how to stay safe in and around the water. The next one is this Tuesday, December 3, at Whangaparāoa Library.

“People understand the importance but often underestimate the risk in the water. On the other hand people also tend to overestimate their ability.

“New settlers, international students, and

migrants are quite dependent on libraries as a community information hub. So we engage extensively with library network across Auckland,” Chang said. Tuesdays talk will include a cold-water challenge, advice for bystander rescues, tips on the float first response and guidance on choosing a lifejacket.

Chang said his talk communicates safety messages in plain English without the typical jargon, and the interactive presentation helps people understand how to translate the skills they learn at the library into behaviour around water.

Madison Chan’s talk at Whangaparāoa Library is on Tuesday, December 3, from 10.30am to 11.30am.

Drowning Prevention Auckland offers free two-week lifejacket loans at hubs across Auckland. If you’re starting out on the water and unsure which life jacket to invest in, borrow one from Stanmore Bay Coastguard.

Water Safety NZ: Lifejackets save lives

Water Safety New Zealand is again stressing the importance of the use of lifejackets on boats.

Chief executive Daniel Gerrard said the importance of wearing a lifejacket cannot be overstated.

“So far this year, there have been 14 craftrelated fatalities in New Zealand,” he said.

“Tragically, in 13 of these incidents, lifejackets were not worn.

“These are preventable deaths. Wearing a lifejacket significantly increases your chances of survival, and it is a simple step to put one on.”

Gerrard said the Bay of Plenty Regional

Council was to be commended for its recent update to navigational bylaws, particularly the enhanced requirements around lifejacket use. The new bylaws, which mandate the wearing of lifejackets at all times on vessels six metres or under, are a vital step toward reducing preventable drowning incidents in the region, he said. This change aligns with best practices already seen in other parts of the country including Northland.

“It’s a critical measure that will undoubtedly contribute to reducing drowning fatalities.”

Gerrard said that the water safety community had long been lobbying

Milky Way Glow Worm Cave

@ WAIPU CAVES FARM PARK

A destination like no other, hosting a diverse range of nature-based activities and environments including the Milky Way Glow Worm Cave and the Jurassic Walks. See NZ’s world-famous glow worms, pristine cave formations, stalactites, stalagmites and flow stones. Learn about the glow worms and geology of the recently opened Milky Way Glow Worm Cave. This is one of only a few caves in NZ where you can take photographs.

successive Governments and Ministers of Transport to amend Rule 91 of the Maritime Transport Act to make lifejackets mandatory on all vessels under six metres.

The numerous and varied interpretations of Rule 91 have resulted in a patchwork of regional variations, creating confusion for the public regarding lifejacket requirements and water safety rules across different areas. “Despite our continuous efforts, no significant changes have been made at the national level.”

Auckland Council is one of the outliers, with a bylaw that states that lifejackets must be worn on any vessel six metres or smaller, unless the skipper allows their removal.

The Jurassic Walks, spread over 320 acres, has multiple tracks through the karst limestone and biodiverse native bush. Rock climbers can climb one of 3 climbing crags with many routes. Bike on the farm roads and meet the friendly farm animals.

Visit for the day or stay for several at one of our three tent or motorhome camping areas with cooking, toilet and shower facilities.

The bylaw is not set to be reviewed until around 2027.

Gerrard added that with the summer season approaching, the timing of the changes in the Bay of Plenty was perfect.

“It sends a strong message to boaties and water users that safety should always come first. Every life lost to drowning is a tragedy, and wearing a lifejacket is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect yourself on the water.”

Water Safety New Zealand continues to work alongside councils, communities, and water safety partners to promote safe practices in and around water.

Madison demonstrates how to wear a lifejacket

Lauraine Jacobs www.laurainejacobs.co.nz/blog/

Smoked fish dip & market tips

There have been great celebrations in Matakana as the Village Farmers’ Market marked its 20th year last Saturday, November 23. From Day One, I have been there most weekends, along with a core of loyal locals, who often stay to chat around one of the market tables with their coffee after they’ve done their purchasing early.

I remember a speaking engagement in the South Island in 2005 (one year later), when I extolled the possibilities for the future for growers, food producers and, as a consumer, the important and valuable connections that would be made as the farmers’ market movement grew. When I sat down, a belligerent farmer come over and told me in no uncertain terms that within three or four years these “markets” would fail and completely disappear. Wouldn’t it be good to meet this gentleman again, and talk about their forever popularity and the extent of the food connections that have been established through markets like this.

Too many of us are still not properly connected with food and its provenance. While this is understandable for those truly struggling with getting food on the table night after night, a trip to the market and the opportunity to engage with growers and farmers is worthwhile on every count. The genuine passion that these people share for food is admirable and one of the best spinoffs is when they become so successful they simply have to move on to manage the large businesses they have grown.

It is a real commitment for the stallholders who must rise before dawn to travel and get their stall ready before 8am. But that’s the time when you get the bargains and the pick of the crops. It is also less busy and that makes it easier to spot the seasonal fruit and veges that make their brief appearance. Right now, the strawberries are spectacular.

Another favourite stop I rush to is the Matakana Smokehouse (also open at the tiny store at the junction of Sharp and Matakana Roads, from Tuesday to Friday) for fresh and smoked fish. This week, Michael had smoked some fat whole mullet, which inspired me. I took one home and we warmed one side in tin foil, stripping it bare for a lovely lunch with salad. The remaining side was quickly made into a gorgeous smoked fish dip/spread. If there’s no mullet available, smoked snapper, kingfish, kahawai or salmon will work beautifully, too.

2 tbsp olive oil or butter

2 tbsp mayonnaise

2 tbsp Greek yogurt

1 lemon, juice and rind

2 oranges

Salt and plenty of freshly ground pepper

Bunch of fresh coriander leaves

Remove all the bones and skin from the fish, and break the flesh into small pieces.

Dice the onion or fennel into tiny fine pieces. The smaller the better as you want them to flavour, not dominate the fish. Take a very small frying pan or heavy little saucepan and let the butter or oil warm over gentle heat. Add the chopped onion/fennel and cook very slowly and gently until it is soft and translucent.

In a bowl, mix the yogurt and mayonnaise together with the lemon juice and the cooked onion/fennel and taste this. Add a little salt, if needed and plenty of pepper.

mayonnaise mixture with the chopped orange and coriander and mix very gently so you don’t turn it mushy. You can now serve it on crackers, in a bowl for dipping with carrot and celery sticks, or make a fabulous smoked fish sandwich with sourdough bread.

Decorate with extra orange pieces and coriander leaves.

Makes enough for about 30 crackers.

300g freshly smoked fish

small onion (or fennel bulb)

Smoked fish spread

Coastguard

Zane Bryhn, Coastguard Hibiscus crew chief www.coastguardhibiscus.org.nz

Gearing up for summer

The weather is starting to play ball for us boaties which means our Coastguard unit is starting to get busier and busier. Murphy’s law is in play where the weekdays are sunny and calm, which increases the activity on the Hauraki Gulf during the week. We have had five call outs in the last week where our volunteers have dropped what they are doing to ensure that these people get home safely.

The activity in our unit is not only on the water but also off the water as we attend community events like the Ōrewa Santa Parade and with the launch of the Coastguard Lottery. We are out there selling tickets, fundraising to keep our rescue vessels on the water.

On Saturday November 16, at 9pm we were paged to a vessel at Little Barrier Island. A smallish open type of vessel had left Omaha at approximately 7am for some diving and fishing. The wind was peaking at 40+ knots south-westerly and the seas were rough. It took us an hour to reach the vessel, which had tried to get back to Omaha but turned around because of the rough sea and wind.

Two of the three people on board did not have life jackets and did not have the correct clothing, so were wet and cold and feeling extremely sick. We proceeded to get those two people onboard our vessel and turn the heating up as mild hyperthermia had kicked in. The skipper of the vessel was happy to proceed back to Omaha while we shadowed him into the bay.

It is about 13 nautical miles from Omaha to Little Barrier, and the sea in a rough state meant our speed was limited to around 10 knots, which makes it a long hour until they hit the shelter of land. The two crew were sufficiently warmed up and transferred back onto their own vessel to make their way into Omaha for a hot shower. This incident highlights the need to be prepared for every eventuality – this

could have ended in disaster but lucky enough it had the ending we strive for.

It’s time for your annual life jacket check The benefits of inflatable life jackets are clear – lightweight, comfortable and compact. Therefore, more and more of these jackets are finding their way into the market as boaties and fisherman are realising they can happily wear one all day. However, what a lot of these people do not realise is that the mechanisms that trigger these jackets to inflate need to be checked each year to ensure everything is operational. All it involves is a couple of simple steps to make sure your inflatable is up to scratch and will work when you need it to most.

Before you get on the water this summer, check all zips, buckles, waist belts and all other fastening mechanisms and devices for excessive wear, cracking, fraying corrosion or anything to indicate possible loss of strength.

Check that the lifejacket has not been previously activated as the cylinder can only be used once, so check that the green or red clip is in place and that the cylinder does not have a hole pierced in the top and if it does – replace the cylinder. Replacement cylinders can be purchased from most marine supply shops.

It is the skipper’s responsibility to carry enough lifejackets of the right size and type for everyone on board. We recommend that life jackets are worn at all times when underway, especially by children and nonswimmers. Life jackets must also be worn in any situation where there is an increased risk to safety. You will notice our volunteers wear the Hutchwilco 170N inflatables all day, every day we are onboard either of our vessels.

Your inflatable lifejacket is a life saving device. Care for it as though your life depended on it. One day, it just might. Safe boating!

Common misconceptions about skin cancer

Skin cancer is a significant health concern in New Zealand. In my day-to-day practice I come across common misconceptions that can confuse people about prevention and risk. Here are a few to clarify; “You can’t get melanoma on covered or non-sun-exposed skin” Many people think melanoma only affects areas exposed to the sun, but this is simply not true. Skin cancers, including melanoma, can develop anywhere on the body— even on areas like the soles of your feet, under your nails, or scalp.

“People with dark or tanned skin can’t get skin cancer” It is true that people with paler skin tones are more at risk than those with darker skin tones, but everyone —regardless of skin colour—can develop skin cancer and should practice sun safety to reduce the risk.

“I don’t need sunscreen or sun protection because I never go out in the sun” Even if you avoid direct sunlight, UV rays can still affect your skin through windows or while driving. Daily sunscreen use is important for protecting your skin from UV radiation, even when you are indoors or in the car.

“Skin cancer is always sore. If it isn’t sore, then it isn’t cancer” This is a dangerous myth. Skin cancer doesn’t always cause pain. Many skin cancers, especially in their early stages, may not be painful at all.

“You need to tan your skin to ‘toughen it up’” Tanning to “toughen up” your skin is not only unnecessary but harmful. The more you tan, the more damage you are doing to your skin, increasing your risk of skin cancer. Instead of tanning, take care of your skin by protecting it from the sun and use safer alternatives like self-tanning lotions.

“You need exposure to the sun for Vitamin D, regardless of your skin cancer risk” While sunlight helps the body produce Vitamin D, short periods of sun exposure, when the sun is at its lowest intensity, are sufficient to maintain healthy levels. You can also get Vitamin D from foods or supplements without the need for excessive sun exposure.

Prevention and early detection are key in reducing the possible devastating effects of skin cancer. Practice proper skin protection by knowing these common misconceptions!

Dr. Rianda De Roe BSLP MBChB FRNZCGP ACCSCMS DipCM

Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm | 18 Florence Ave, Ōrewa Clinic: 09 242 7546 | support@skinsafe.co.nz skinsafe.co.nz

Adventure park showcases underworld beauty

Located in the outback of Waipū, a natural adventure playground offers visitors a chance to discover an ancient world both above and below the ground, from beautiful limestone forest to the quiet depths of local middleearth.

Since opening in February last year, Waipū Caves Farm Park has taken many intrepid explorers and the cave-wary on an immersive experience into a world millions of years in the making, a place of stalactites, cave-dwelling creatures and fossilised old bones.

Owned by Ian and Cindy Fox since 2018, the 130 hectare park sits alongside the Waipū Caves Scenic Preserve, which is managed by Whangarei District Council. The privately-owned park offers people a safe and secure way to explore the underground atmosphere with guided tours along concrete paths and handrails. Experienced caver and member of Northland Search and Rescue, Ian is

one of 10 guides who take tourists and school groups on a wander through lush forest and craggy limestone formations before equipping visitors with lights and descending into the Milky Way Glow Worm Cave. Although the caves are large and spacious with plenty of headroom, he says the team is aware of the conflicting emotions some people have about going underground.

“We support each person. Each guide’s got a different sort of strength and personality so if we know someone might be anxious, we’ll put them with the right guide,” he says. “Since we’ve been open, we’ve only had about three people who want to go in but have backed out.”

The guides also give a fascinating narrative about the natural formation of cave systems and lifestyle of glow worms to trace fossils such as belly prints of sea cucumbers and slugs. Numerous caves of different sizes have been found within the parks boundaries which have to meet

certain specifications – be a large natural space, deep enough for no light infiltration and fit an average sized human -- to be classed as a cave.

“Once upon a time our entire valley would have been a cave system and over time eventually the natural chemical process of weathering and dissolving of the roof and walls broke it all down.”

Passionate about nature, Ian says he has always had an interest in getting underground and as an older teenager would often go off exploring to find caves.

“Just like any activity, you learn progressively, you push yourself a little bit more each time and advance your skills and tolerance to things, which for other people, might seem very scary. Some holes I’ve gone into I have to effectively deflate and relax my entire body so I can collapse through holes,” he says.

Besides the star attraction of the glow worm’s habitat, the off-grid, solar powered

sanctuary includes 10 kilometres of walking tracks and bike trails, the Jurassic Crags – three limestones with 75 climbing routes and abseiling – as well as camping and campervan sites.

The focus of the park is on outdoor education and conservation, a natural playground where visitors can immerse themselves in adventure and relaxation, where children and adults can connect within nature.

“I love everything natural. There is no constructed playground, no TV room or wifi and minimal cell phone coverage. There are trees with rope swings, a river to explore and rocks everywhere to climb,” Ian says.

“We have over 80 hectares of diverse native bush, two kilometres of rocky bottom stream and lots of fluted limestone rocks and caves. Conservation and management of the natural environment also means there are many rare creatures and birds. Visitors will appreciate this masterpiece of nature.”

7:53am3.3 1:52pm0.6 8:13pm3.2 2:16am0.4 8:45am3.4 2:45pm0.6 9:07pm3.2 3:07am0.4 9:35am3.4 3:37pm0.6 9:59pm3.2 3:55am0.4 10:24am3.4 4:28pm0.7 10:49pm3.2 4:42am0.5 11:11am3.3 5:17pm0.7 11:36pm3.1 5:27am0.6 11:58am3.2 6:05pm0.8 12:23am3.0 6:12am0.7 12:44pm3.1 6:53pm0.8 1:08am2.9 6:59am0.9 1:30pm3.0 7:39pm0.9 5:56am 8:29pm 5:56am 8:30pm 5:56am 8:30pm 5:56am 8:31pm 5:56am 8:32pm 5:56am

Our best shot

I tried panning around central Melbourne at various intersections with the idea of getting two imposing trams. To get a good sharp pan you need to be at 90 degrees to your subject thus I was standing on the road so had to watch for cars coming and time the two trams meeting. There were many failed attempts. The trams become very interesting at night with the interiors lit showing all the passengers. In the end, the selected image was the better one as there was no distractions from other cars or people.

Want to see your photo in print? Join the Hibiscus Coast Photography Club. Founded 20 years ago on the Coast, the club aims to develop an appreciation of photography as an art. It is a space to learn to improve your photography with support from some very experienced photographers covering all aspects from composition to development. For photography enthusiasts, we have speakers at our meetings on the first Thursday of each month. Open to beginners and experienced photographers in a friendly and relaxed manner The club runs a monthly competition with a new subject each month. On the third Thursday of each month, judges assess the images. Members can submit two images each month, to learn how to grow their hobby. We meet at Ōrewa Community Church and also organise field trips and workshops. Visitors are most welcome to attend a couple of meetings before deciding to join. Everyone welcome, from teenagers to pensioners www.hcpc.org.nz/photoclub

Top sailing talent lands on Coast

Elite rockstars of the foiling world start arriving on the Hibiscus Coast this week in the lead up to the Moth World Championships.

It’s a major coup for Manly Sailing Club (MSC) who began their campaign to host the international competition a few years ago when Manly sailor Russell Coutts pitched to the international association. MSC vice commodore Harold Benett has a long history running sailing events at the highest level, joining his first Americas Cup in 1986. He said Hibiscus Coast sailors Jake Pye, Mattias Coutts, and Seb Menzies are the ones to watch with all three performing strongly in last year’s event in Weymouth before it was abandoned due to weather conditions.

Harold said the club is proud to attract international talent to New Zealand for the race. In addition to INEOS wing trimmer Iain Jensen; American Magic crew Luca Calabrese, Riley Gibbs, Ben Rosenberg; and SailGP Spanish sailor Diego Botin, it has also drawn an impressive calibre of women sailors such as Hattie Rogers, Helena Scutt and Wakako Kajimoto. The event kicks off on January 1 with the Oceania Championships serving as a dry

Melbourne street scene, Tram pan, photo, John Lambert

Jake Pye

EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 7 represents J so ﬁll in J every time the ﬁgure 7 appears. You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it in the appropriate

We’re bringing a smarter approach to 70+ retirement living.

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14 Tiromoana Drive Red Beach

Gulf Harbour sailor pipped at the post

a toy boat, GHRCYC Commodore Peter

Strathdee said the miniature version of a real yacht is suitable for beginners to sail, as well as producing exciting and challenging racing for the most experienced yachtsman.

Competitors came from across NZ, as well as Rarotonga.

Operating Electron radio-controlled yachts, each sailor navigated an Electron course marked out by buoys on the lake. The fleet was divided into four heats, which enabled all the entrants to sail against each other.

The closely contested race was ultimately won by Warkworth’s Gary Caldwell with Gulf Harbour’s Brett May finishing second, and Auckland’s Greg Stenbeck taking third place. Townson’s wife, Sue, awarded the trophy and medals, followed by a dinner celebration at the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club.

The one-metre Electron is an authentic sailing model yacht, hand crafted in fibreglass from one mould with almost 100 individual pieces. Not to be mistaken for

A family legacy

Self-taught yacht designer Des Townson MNZM began his career building model boats. Having designed large yachts,as well as small racing and cruising yachts, Townson designed the small radio controlled Electron class in 1985.

Since 1988, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club (BBYC) has run an Electron regatta in November, re-naming it in 2009 after Townson’s passing. Club member Lindsay Graves said they wanted to honour the renowned yacht designer and longstanding club member.

“Des really enjoyed sailing in [the regattas], not so much the repairs he attended to willingly for fellow sailors.”

Graves said Townson’s close friend and

fellow sailor, Noel May, crafted a scale model of an Electron as the regatta trophy after the inaugural Des Townson Memorial Regatta in 2009. Last year, Graves passed custodianship of the trophy to Noel’s son Brett May.

“I wanted it to be held as a family heirloom in respect of his father who built the trophy,” Graves said.

Sadly, Noel passed away in 2020.

Brett says the trophy his father crafted was part of his legacy and testament to his patience and skill as a builder of many beautiful Townson boats.

“We do consider it a May family heirloom and a piece of history representing a close relationship between Noel and Des,” May said.

Another famous Townson design, the 32foot keeler Starling, has kic started many a young sailor’s career including that of Manly’s Russell Coutts.

Coast cricketer snapped up

Barely into his debut onto the Auckland cricket scene, batter Bevon-John (BJ) Jacobs has been selected by the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.

BJ was capped by Matt McEwan for his start with Auckland Cricket last month, after representing Canterbury in T20 and List A cricket in his professional debut last year. It’s a rare move for a kiwi cricketer to make the jump to IPL before having represented New Zealand on the world stage. BJ’s only international cricket experience so far was a short stint in the Queensland Premier T20 earlier this year.

Hibiscus Coast Cricket club manager Gair Mcskimming said the club always believed BJ was destined to be a superstar.

“But getting an IPL contract this early in his career is a testament to his hard work and dediction. At a young age, he is already a true professional,”McSkimming said.

Electron model yacht racing returned to Regency Lake at Gulf Harbour on November 16 with 30 skippers vying for line honours in the Des Townson Memorial event.

Bevon-John (BJ) Jacobs in action. Photo,

Photosport

Your Journey to Recovery Starts Here. Let’s Get You Back on Track

If your injury is accident-related, we can help with your ACC application. Simply inform us when booking your appointment or upon arrival.

Whether you’re aiming to stay at work, return to work, get back into sport, or optimise your fitness and wellbeing, our team of skilled physiotherapists is here to help. At Coast Physio, we tailor our care to your individual needs, ensuring you receive the right support every step of the way.

• Comprehensive Assessments: Understand your condition and create a personalised treatment plan.

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Scan the QR code to book your appointment online

09 426 6619

Silverdale

Whangaparaoa

Orewa

Growing demand for women’s league team

The

popular, Coasties have lobbied the Raiders Rugby League club for a third muster before Christmas.

Club chair Seth Gleeson said they had been working towards fielding a senior women’s team for a few years but this year the push has come from the women themselves.

“The last time we put the word out we didn’t get enough interest to but this year we had the women approach us to put a team together,” Gleeson said.

Senior mens league player and club coach Takangaroa (TK) Davison said that was what piqued his interest. He has coached all levels of league at the club.

“I’ve been around the club a long time. I’m the one that gets shunted forward when a team needs a coach. But this time it was something I was really keen on being a part of because it’s making history on the Coast.

“We have had a really awesome core group of women at the club for a long time. They created a really cool environment and my job is to nurture that and create something that is enjoyable with this team,” Davison said.

With the first muster in October, Gleeson and Davison hoped to gauge how real the interest was after the announcement drove enough buzz to attract more than 150 women to the Facebook group. They were not disappointed with 25 women turning up and sharing positive feedback at the end.

“We had a bit less turn up to the second muster last month but we had women travelling from Wellsford and Massey. And there’s some really awesome talent among the new faces that are turning up,” Davidson said.

He said that a number of the women got involved for the fitness and social aspect but

there’s likely to be enough depth for the club to enter a team into the Auckland Women’s Championship competition next year. The club will hold pre-season training in the new year. Davidson said it was likely to start at the end of January to give the coaching team and the new players enough time to find their strengths, areas for improvement and more importantly to get to know each other and gel as a team.

“Fitness is a big part of that. It’s about more than building your individual stamina. It’s about building a bond and culture. When you are absolutely smashed and the person next to you is feeling the same, there’s solidarity in suffering. No success comes before there’s a culture that everyone buys in to,” Davidson said.

He shared that the most rewarding thing for him isn’t a team’s success, but rather the individual players growth. That’s what drives Davison. His plate is already full coaching and playing for the men’s reserves team as well as being an assistant coach for the men’s premier team. But he said that if no one else steps up to coach the new women’s team, he will make it work.

“A group of us put our hands up to make this happen. Taylor Raj and Sez, Sarah Ngere, will also be a part of the coaching team. We’re determined to support this team.

We would like to have about 25 to 30 women sign up because the league season can be long and gruelling. It’s doable with what I’ve seen at the musters so far and we decided to have another one this week. Anyone can come along and have a go. It’s nothing too strenuous, just a chance to get the ball in your hands and to meet people,” Davidson said.

The Raiders will hold a third muster at the club on Sunday, December 8, at 2pm.

first two rugby league musters for women were so

Photo, Roger Reid

COLLECTING NEWSPAPERS. Rather than placing your newspapers into the recycle bin, could you keep them for us at Ōrewa Lions Club, and we are only too pleased to collect these from you. They are used in various ways, and we want as many as we can get. All funds raised from this venture go into the local community. Please call Harry on 426 6629 and he will arrange a regular pick up of the papers on a weekly or a monthly basis.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OLD CAR OR BOAT BATTERIES SITTING IN YOUR GARAGE, THAT YOU NO LONGER WANT? We can pick these up and dispose of them. The Ōrewa Lions collect old batteries and ALL the money received for them goes into the Child Mobility Foundation fund. This is certainly a fabulous cause to support. So, if you want to get rid of those old car or boat batteries or any batteries (excluding the small AAA batteries) then just call and we will dispose of them for you. If you would like more information regarding this, (you may well be staggered by what you see at just what a difference can be made). www.lionsclubs.org.nz/Clubs/ Activities/Child-Mobility So come on, if

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

Community Notices

you have some batteries you do not want anymore, Contact Martin 09 410 2363. (If no answer, please leave a message and I will get back to you.

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.

HIBISCUS COAST SENIOR CITIZEN ASSN

Meet every Tuesday for cards (500) and indoor bowls 12pm-4pm. New members welcome. $2 entry fee Subs $5. Ōrewa Community Centre Ōrewa Square Contact Val 09 963 8242 or Kathy 426 8770.

MONDAY MORNING SOCIAL GROUP

meets weekly, 9am-12pm, Red Beach Methodist Church, 76 Red Beach Road, seeking new members to play 500, 9am start or Scrabble, 9.30am start and share coffee, tea & snack. $3pp. Ph Ann 426 5874

ŌREWA LADIES CLUB 1st Thursday of month, 9.30am, St Johns Catholic Church Hall. Guest speakers and outings. All welcome.

OVER 60S GROUP 10am-11.30am, 2nd Monday of the month. Over 60s group. Morning tea and singalongs. Gold coin donation. Terry & Noelene Bradley 027 477 5014. All welcome.

RED BEACH COMBINED FRIENDSHIP

CLUB Meet every 3rd Wednesday of month, 9.30am. Presbyterian Church, 107 Centreway Rd, Ōrewa. Enjoy meeting friendly people for morning tea, interesting speakers, dinners and outings. Please call Colleen Murray at 021 112 3409.

WHANGAPARĀOA LADIES FRIENDSHIP

GROUP meets 2nd Tuesday of month, Manly Bridge Club, 10am-12pm. All welcome for morning tea & friendship. Raewyn 09 424 1414.

HOUSIE AT BOWLS ŌREWA every Friday, 1pm-4pm. Lots of fun and great prizes. Ph 09 426 5937. All welcome.

HIBISCUS COAST HIGHLAND PIPES AND DRUMS No previous experience needed to learn. All levels of playing and supporters welcome. Wednesday 7:00pm practices at St Johns Ambulance Hall 36 Silverdale Road Silverdale. Drop in to

check us out Contact Leslee 027 426 7170 or Bob 09 424 1838.

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

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN – Hibiscus Coast, $2,000 TERTIARY STUDENT AWARD – 2025 Applications are now open to a past or present female Hibiscus Coast resident. Application Forms & Criteria available by email to: davenjen@xtra.co.nz Applications close December 31.

TREATS & TREASURES CRAFT SHOP 10am-3pm Every Saturday & Sunday Unique Handcrafted Gifts Both New And Upcycled Using Vintage Material. Beautiful Hand Crafted Gifts For Christmas. Toys, Jams And Preserves. Cash Or Bank Transfer Only. For More Details Contact Pioneervillage1968@Gmail.com Village Closed 28th & 29th December

Crossword solution #47

ACROSS: 1 Laughing stock, 8 Polish, 14 Drake, 15 Magnolia, 16 Rancour, 17 Agape, 18 Tot, 19 Schemes, 21 Dashboard, 22 Revise, 25 Sympathise, 27 Tricycle, 28 Ripple, 31 Cocoon, 33 Heading, 34 Deputy, 35 Foal, 37 Use, 39 Deal, 40 In focus, 41 Negligent, 42 Talking, 43 Terminal, 48 Assemble, 52 Clocked, 56 Gatecrash, 57 Estuary, 58 Tamp, 59 Tie, 60 Twee, 61 Coerce, 62 Pioneer, 63 Ornate, 65 Mutual, 66 Downpour, 68 Timekeeper, 71 Saturn, 72 Steamiest, 74 Stumped, 76 Aim, 79 Rouge, 80 Chicago, 81 Harangue, 83 Colon, 84 Adults, 85 Learn the ropes. DOWN: 2 Anarchy, 3 Genie, 4 Ill, 5 Goat, 6 Tartare sauce, 7 Conch, 8 Portray, 9 Lead, 10 Scaled, 11 Sauté, 12 Lettuce, 13 Monolingual, 14 Deficit, 20 Extension, 23 Rightful, 24 Sloping, 26 Problem, 27 Thirst, 29 Proverb, 30 Stages, 32 Obese, 34 Denim, 36 Lathe, 38 Fife, 43 Tight, 44 Retreat, 45 Itch, 46 Amazon, 47 Route, 48 Anagrams, 49 Skyrocket, 50 Matinee, 51 Limit, 52 Chariot, 53 Kleptomania, 54 Devour, 55 At death’s door, 64 Pattern, 65 Monarch, 67 Notices, 69 Execute, 70 Argued, 71 Smell, 73 Inane, 75 Mango, 77 Tell, 78 Shut, 82 Rye.

& MAINTENANCE

ALARMS SECURITY AND FIRE, MONITORING, CCTV, servicing & installation, all brands 027 553 3032 www.tdssecurity.co.nz

CARPET LAYING, CARPET RE-STRETCH, VINYL LAYING, CARPET REPAIRS Over 30 years’ experience. Contact Dexter 027 4956 436

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, green waste /rubbish removal, 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.lawnsandoutdoor. maintenance@gmail.com

PUMP DOCTOR

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

problem I can come to you. Qualified Hairstylist providing cutting and blow wave services. Please phone Julie 021 112 8015

NEED A VISA OR IMMIGRATION ADVICE? Competitive rates. Ph/txt

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

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

SELLING YOUR PINES?

Logging firm wishes to purchase your trees. Call Bob@Austin Logging on 0210 299 1618.

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

REBUS CLUB OF HIBISCUS COAST Club for retired men, meets the first Tuesday of every month, 9.30am, at Manly Bridge Club, Edith Hopper Park, Ladies Mile, speakers and outings. Ph Phil 027 497 0024. www.rebus-hibiscuscoast.co.nz

REBUS CLUB ŌREWA Retired or semiretired people. Guest speakers. Second Tuesday of each month, 10am-noon, at St John Evangelist Church Hall, 180 Centreway Rd, Ōrewa. For more information, contact Norma Parker 09 427 5216 or normaparker01@gmail.com

ROTARY SATELLITE CLUB Orewa/ Millwater meet 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 7pm, The Wade Tavern, Silverdale.

SILVERDALE NAVAL CLUB, Meet HBC RSA, Vipond Rd, 3rd Sunday of each month, 15.00 sharp. Alex Watson 021 953 891.

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

4 Mike Pignéguy’s Superyacht Cruise through the Seychelles, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Come and enjoy a virtual cruise of the stunning Seychelles aboard the 50m superyacht, Shandor. RSVP WhangaparaoaLibraryEvents@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

5 DFL Friends Jam Night, Dairy Flat Community Hall, 7.30-11pm. $2pp, cash only.

6 Blame the Cats, Dairy Flat Community Hall, 7.30-11pm. $12.50pp. Licensed bar. Cash only. BYO snacks.

6 Motel California Eagles Experience, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 8pm-11pm. Tickets:www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/motelcalifornia-eagles-experience/auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsula

7 Hibiscus Coast Concert Band, 11am. Playing all your Christmas favourites under the Old Oak Tree in the Silverdale Pioneer Village. Devonshire Teas will be available all day in the Old Parsonage for only $8 and our Treats and Treasures Craft Shop will be open for those unique Christmas gifts. Enjoy our beautiful gardens, relax and enjoy the music. All Welcome, entry by donation. 15 Wainui Road Silverdale. www.silverdalepioneervillage.com

7 Christmas Outdoor Movie Night, Puhoi Sports Club, 4pm. Food trucks, bar, raffles, bouncy castle, bubble soccer & more.

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

7 Salsa Dance Party with Acústica Latina, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, From 7.30pm. Tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/ salsa-dance-party-with-acustica-latina/auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsula

8 Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa’s Christmas Kapa Waiata, Whangaparāoa Library, midday. A cultural and festive live Christmas choir performance of traditional carols in te reo Māori by Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa. All welcome.

8 Hawaiian Night with DJ Going Bananas, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 4pm-7pm. Free

8 Free Gratitude Journaling Workshop, Ōrewa Convention Centre, SDA Hall, 123 Centreway Road, 3pm-4pm. Tools to help you cope with the pressures/ distresses of the Christmas/New Year period. Includes journal & light refreshments. To book: 021 223 5491.

10 Northhaven Care Home’s Verses of Life Poetry Reading, Whangaparāoa Library, 11am. A heartfelt poetry reading performance by the residents of Northhaven Care Home. Tea and coffee provided. Everyone is welcome.

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

12 Free Gratitude Journaling Workshop, Whangaparāoa Library, 2.30pm-4 pm. Tools to help you cope with the pressures/distresses of the Christmas/New Year period. Includes journal & handouts. To book: 021 223 5491.

13 Stetson Club with Shane & Shazam Band Xmas Party, Dairy Flat Hall, 7.30pm-11pm. Members $10, non-members $12.50. Licensed cash bar. BYO nibbles. All Welcome.

13 Hibiscus Coast Comedy Night – Paul Ego and Friends, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay, 7.30pm-9.30pm. $39 pp.

14 Children’s Christmas Party, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 3pm-5.30pm. Free

14 Adult’s Christmas Party, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6pm-9pm. Free

20 Dairy Flat Live Boogie Night, Dairy Flat Community Hall, 7.30pm-11pm. $7.50pp cash only. Licensed bar. BYO nibbles.

21 Tribute to Kevin Greaves with Midnite Special, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm. $10 members, $15 non-members.

21 Paraoa Brewing Christmas Party with Dire Straits Tribute, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 8pm-11pm. Tickets: www.eventfinda. co.nz/2024/paraoa-brewing-christmas-party-with-dire-straits-tribute/ auckland/whangaparaoa-penins

22 Carols and readings at Manly Methodist Church, 9.30am and Whangaparāoa Methodist Parish, Red Beach 10am. 1 Walbrook Road, Manly, 76 Red Beach Road, Red Beach.

24 Christmas Eve service, Manly Methodist Church, 1 Walbrook Road, Manly, 7pm, service by Rev Sione Tesimale.

25 Christmas Morning, Whangaparāoa Methodist Parish, 76 Red Beach Road, Red Beach, 10am, service by Rev Sione Tesimale.

31 Rock the Coast NYE 2024, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 7pm-12.30am. Tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/rock-the-coast-nye-2024/ auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsula

31 New Years Eve Party with the Brendon Ham Band, Dairy Flat Community Hall, 8pm-12.15am. $20pp cash only. Licensed bar. BYO nibbles.

Pharmacy Talk with Tania Adams

Christmas Stress

Christmas is my favourite time of the year! Yes, I am one of those people that loves Christmas carols. But it is not everyone’s favourite time. Whether it be financial, straight up busyness or those family clashes on Christmas Day, all of us can feel a bit stressed at Christmas.

Here are just some of many tips available for mental health and well being. Find out what combination of tools works best for you:

Try Magnesium - Studies show that magnesium levels are highly associated with stress levels. Make sure you are getting enough for your body. Find the right type of magnesium (they are not all the same), and advice regarding the right dose for you, as this will influence whether or not it actually helps.

Aromatherapy - it’s been around a long time, but does it actually work? Research indicates that aromatherapy may help to reduce stress and improve anxiety. Oils that may boost mental well being include lavender, bergamot, clary sage and the citrus oils. Oils need to be pure but may be diluted with almond oil for massage or used in a diffuser.

Limit caffeine - did you know that “caffeine induced anxiety disorder” is actually a thing? Caffeine is not your friend! Try reducing your caffeine intake to ease anxiety. However you will need to do this slowly to avoid withdrawal effects.

Sleep is very important - make sure you are getting enough. If you are having trouble with getting to sleep, staying asleep or sleep quality, book in to our Sleep Clinic with Rebecca or Danni and get individualised expert help.

Exercise - a 2021 study found that people with physically active lives had a 60% lower risk of developing anxiety. Almost any type of exercise will help. Even a simple 20-minute stroll can reduce stress.

Be kind to yourself- sometimes we have hard discussions with ourselves. But negative talk is definately not good for the soul. You wouldn’t speak to a friend like that, so why do it to yourself?!

Other natural therapies - there are many natural health remedies advertising that they help with stress, anxiety or depression. But do they? Yes, some can certainly help. We are lucky to carry the Metagenics practitioner only range at Unichem Manly Pharmacy which you can be prescribed in one of our clinics. Book in to see our pharmacist and practitioner, Danni, for some “one on one” help.

Talk to your friends - a new study shows what we all know to be true. Reaching out to your friends and family is important. Ensuring you have at least one conversation a day can improve your mental health. Whether it is a simple catch up, a deep and meaningful discussion or simply joking around, it all positively impacts your mental well being.

Have a Merry Christmas Coasties! Be kind to everyone and don’t forget to be kind to yourself.

Book into our Health Clinic

Just call us on 424-7708 to book your appointment or visit our website on www.unichemmanly.co.nz

Fresh faces dominate Pretty Tough Sheila comp

Four fast friends teamed up to take on the Raiders’ annual Pretty Tough Sheila challenge last month and came out with an unexpected win.

Competing under the moniker ‘Bitches be crazy’, Chevania Johnson, Esther Marsters, Joey Hayward and Heather Haenga navigated the challenge course for four hours in the sun. The team knew each other well from playing tag together at the club so their teamwork led them to a solid victory. Club chair Seth Gleeson says the competition is not just physical. The 10 challenges range from a tyre push to cooking a steak, and every year there’s a mystery challenge thrown in. This year it was to skull a beer before a three-legged race followed closely by a piggy-back challenge.

“With just a ‘can do’ attitude, you can get through all of the challenges. A few people

were daunted by the heavy lifting until they saw the first challenge. Really it was just laughs all round in the end,” Gleeson said.

Most of the competitors were tag players, club supporters, or partners of players, although a couple of teams were new to the club, hearing about the competition online.

Johnson said the team of women had missed out on the inaugural competition and hearing everyone talk about how much fun it was, they decided to enter this year. Haenga had competed before, but she joined the team at the last-minute when circumstances meant fourth team member Sezzy Tawheta was unable to participate. Tawheta joined in to cheer her team on from the sidelines though.

“Being sports ladies, we were quite

competitive. We planned to train for the competition but all of us being busy mums, it was hard to get together. So we just strategised over a group chat. That’s where the team name came from,” Johnson said.

Though Johnson admits most of the strategy had to be done on the day when they could see the course and the challenges. The key was that every team member had to participate.

“The hardest one for us was building the picnic table because it was the first challenge so we couldn’t strategise beforehand. All the pieces were piled up and we couldn’t see what went where.

“But later, when we had to back up a boat trailer, we knew there were points when we had to switch out drivers. So we strategised based on what we could do. Joey and I could back a trailer, but Esther

and Heather couldn’t, so we did the harder parts and gave them the easy parts.

“None of us knew how to operate a digger but we smashed that one. We worked together. When one person was on the digger, the rest of us were on both sides just communicating and making sure they had help,” Johnson said.

Throughout the competition it wasn’t clear which team was leading and in the end it came down to a one-point difference. Johnson says the team is determined to come back to defend their title next year.

Announcing the winners on Facebook, the club tagged other rugby league clubs on the North Shore. Gleeson said it was a bit of friendly banter and hoped other clubs would join in next year when the competition returned with the same format, but fresh challenges.

Photos, Roger Reid