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18 January 2012
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Puhoi • Warkworth • Snells • Matakana • Omaha • Leigh • Pakiri • Wellsford • Port Albert • Kaiwaka • Mangawhai
Event organisers take weather in their stride While the Mahurangi district escaped the sort of summer storms that lashed places such as Nelson, the windy and wet conditions over Christmas/New Year presented some real challenges for outdoor event organisers. According to NIWA figures, parts of the district received double their usual rainfall average last month. The wet weather forced the postponement of the Warkworth Rodeo and one or two smaller events were cancelled. But overall, event organisers say audiences were very understanding of the inconveniences and just got on with enjoying themselves. Mangawhai Tavern owner Gillian Houser says the dismal weather over the Christmas and New Year period didn’t put a halt to any of the action at the tavern. “We had one of our best Christmas/ New Year periods in my four years of being here,” she says. “Numbers were at their maximum almost every night. “Events were sold out. Our hot spit roast nights on the deck with early entertainment were full and proved to be a great success. Families, young adults, mature adults and seniors were all here and all had a great time. Nothing had to be cancelled as we have adequate shelter outside. In some ways, the weather worked in our favour as more people were socialising inside
crazy weather Campers bore the brunt of the wet weather, but these young holidaymakers at Whangateau tried to make the best of it. More weather photos at localmatters.co.nz
instead of being on the beaches.” Managers of the Riverside Holiday Park in Mangawhai, Ian and Maree Thompson, say guests made the most of the wet weather while staying at the park and there was only one cancellation. “A few kids took their body-boards into the puddles and splashed about,”
off the drawing board this month . . . .
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNERS NZ INC
Ian says. “While others simply went to our recreation room and played table tennis and board games. We had one family leave after two nights of rain, which was a shame because it cleared up the next day. Luckily, the park is surrounded by sand so water continued page 3
Inside this issue Lifelong learning
Education feature – pages 20 to 25
Not to be wasted
Water feature – pages 34 to 37
Back to the country
A&P Show feature – pages 42 to 45
New Home Kaipara Habourside
GRAHAM SAWELL • ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER “creating efficient, functional & delightful architecture”
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