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18 December 2013
Inside this issue What next for Ascension? We reveal new owners’ plans
Mahurangi Matters (and Santa) wishes our communities a very safe and happy Christmas and we look forward to bringing you all the news again next year.
page 9
Santa parades sparkle Big crowds in Warkworth & Wellsford
pages 18 & 19
Your bumper summer guide Turn up the heat...
Ho ho ho, see Warkworth Santa Parade p19.
Court battle looms over Te Arai
The fight to save Te Arai Beach from a 46-lot coastal subdivision is headed for the Environment Court. The Te Arai Beach Preservation the outstanding and fragile nature study which showed that compliance Society has confirmed it will lodge an of the Te Arai coast, it relies on an with management conditions, like those appeal against last month’s decision unrealistic level of compliance from proposed for the golf course, was very by Auckland Council-appointed both the property developers and low at around 37 percent.” hearing commissioners to approve the future residents. The plan change was sought by Te development. “In a recent Environment Court case Arai Coastal Lands Trust, a joint In a prepared statement, the society over Te Arai golf course conditions, Judge venture between Darby Partners says that while the decision recognises Jeff Smith commented on a recent PhD continued page 3
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2 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
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January 22, 2014 Enquiries: Editor: Karyn Scherer ph 425 9068 ph 425 9068 • fax 425 9088 PO Box 701, Warkworth 0941 editor@localmatters.co.nz 17 Neville Street Advertising: (cnr Neville & Alnwick Sts) Cathy Busbridge 022 029 1899 Warkworth advertising@localmatters.co.nz localmatters@xtra.co.nz Shona Mackinnon 022 029 1897 www.localmatters.co.nz local@localmatters.co.nz Views expressed in Mahurangi Matters are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission of the editor is prohibited.
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ager Cathy Busbridge Mahurangi Matters advertising man hand over the Christmas to (centre) was delighted to be the one ilders, and Denise ebu Hom of s, Juke ntin vouchers to Que ity Services. mun Com Meiklejohn, of Otamatea
Thank-you to our readers! Christmas will be a happier occasion for many local families this year, thanks to the generosity of Mahurangi Matters readers. More than $2000 worth of that’s a beautiful thing.” vouchers was donated to the Denise Meiklejohn, of Otamatea, inaugural Buy Local – Give Local said the service normally scratched Christmas appeal, which closed around at this time of year to on December 10. find gifts for families who would The paper’s advertising manager otherwise miss out. Cathy Busbridge said it was a “The fact that people have “stunning” result with plenty volunteered to donate these of positive feedback from small vouchers is fabulous. It also means local businesses and shoppers. a lot to the team at the service to The vouchers covered a range feel that they have the community of opportunities from movies, behind them in this way. clothing, hardware, books, “I don’t know about anyone else, dining out, gifts, fuel, groceries, but this has made my Christmas!” pharmaceuticals and horse riding. A huge “thank you” to Homebuilders Warkworth and customers and business owners Otamatea Community Services at the following stores: Gull will distribute the vouchers. Matakana, Sushi Gallery, Jaques Representatives of both Four Square Kaiwaka, Mitre organisations expressed gratitude 10, Bewitched, New World, on behalf of the voucher recipients Warehouse, Horse Riding to everyone who participated – Warkworth, Franklins Pharmacy, the staff at Mahurangi Matters, MTA, Woody’s Winners, the shops who promoted the Wellsford Pharmacy, Postie appeal and, of course, the donors. Fashions, Unichem Chemist, “For many people, especially Chocolate Brown, Village Gas mothers, this will be their only Station Mangawhai, Mangawhai Christmas present,” Quentin Books, Mangawhai Meat Shop, Jukes said. “It’s about all of us Bammas, Village Four Square, taking a role in looking after Not Just Hats, Village Bookshop others in our community and Matakana and Hoyts Movie.
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Te Arai
The Hill Street intersection – on a quiet day.
Fury over delays on Hill St revamp Dozens of Mahurangi residents have lodged submissions with the Environmental Protection Authority, demanding that it require a revamp of the Hill St intersection as part of the consent for a new motorway between Puhoi and Warkworth. Public submissions on the $780 million motorway One person complained that it sometimes took him proposal closed on December 13, and hearings are two hours to get from the satellite station to Omaha. expected to begin early next year. Cr Penny Webster says she is still hopeful that a deal The Government hopes to have a final decision by could be struck over what has become known as about August, but the delay over the redesign of Hill the Matakana Link Rd, to relieve the pressure on St is continuing to frustrate many residents, with the Hill St intersection. She believes it is up to the emotions boiling over at two public meetings held Rodney Local Board to push for the new road before the new motorway is built. this month. Staff from the New Zealand Transport Agency and But the Local Board does not believe the link road Auckland Transport told a meeting of the Warkworth can be built in time, due to a lack of funding and the Area Liaison Group on December 4 that work was time needed to acquire the necessary land. continuing on a new design for the dysfunctional It believes the only solution is to put up with two intersection, in light of the changes that the new difficult years of roadworks at Hill St, which could motorway was likely to cause to traffic flows. be made even worse by construction traffic for the But they admitted there was currently a major new motorway. funding shortfall for the project. They also Meanwhile, Auckland Council itself still appears to confirmed that the money initially allocated for the be divided over the need for the motorway. It has Mansel Drive Bridge had been reprioritised, and agreed to support the proposal, despite misgivings that it was not currently scheduled to be completed by some of its staff and the deputy mayor. until at least 2017. At a meeting on November 28, Mayor Len Brown They also downplayed the possibility of a new link moved a motion to support the motorway extension road being built any time soon between SH1 and and to seek appropriate conditions to mitigate its Matakana, despite lobbying by Auckland Council. effects. However, they confirmed that the current footpath Cr Penny Webster joined six other Councillors, a on the northwestern side of the Hill St intersection member of the Rodney Local Board, and a member along SH1 would be improved and extended to the of the Independent Maori Statutory Board, in Hudson Rd intersection within the next few months. drafting a submission for the Board of Inquiry. Furious residents told staff they were fed up with the But three Councillors refused to give their support lack of progress on traffic issues. for the submission. They were deputy mayor Penny Similar complaints were made at a public meeting Hulse, Cr Wayne Walker, and Cr Chris Darby. organised by Auckland Council in Warkworth on They do not believe the benefits of the motorway December 11 to discuss its 30-year plan for the region. justify its cost.
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(75 percent) and Te Uri o Hau (25 percent). The joint venture is also involved in the construction of the neighbouring luxury golf course, owned by American Ric Kayne. Consents for the water take and earthworks for the course were the subject of a recent Environment Court hearing, with a decision still pending. Society president Mark Walker says the joint venture has proved to be a poor environmental manager, with the golf resort case highlighting breaches of resource consent conditions including illegal earthworks and the disturbance of nesting birds. Te Arai Beach is home to NZ’s rarest bird, the NZ fairy tern, as well as a unique suite of 23 threatened species of flora and fauna. “Housing not only brings more disturbance but a 24/7 human presence and a loss of the remoteness which has contributed to the survival of these threatened species. There needs to be some off-limit areas if Auckland Council is to properly manage the area sustainably. “The undisturbed Te Arai to Pakiri coastline is a jewel in Rodney’s crown and it’s time Council took its Resource Management Act obligations seriously at this site.” Mr Walker says that the society is calling for an Ark at the Beach, similar to Ark in the Park on Auckland’s West Coast. “Te Arai is special and it needs decent protection,” he says. “It can’t be up to developers to set the ecological standards, not when they consistently profit from standards that are sub par.” Mr Walker says the joint venture is currently able to extract water from the Te Arai Stream to irrigate the luxury golf course. He says the extraction rate is many times higher than National Environmental Standards and is happening right at the time when the fairy terns require it for fishing and feeding their young. “At the same time, on the edge of the wildlife refuge, they are pulling out native vegetation and disturbing shore skink habitat. The difference between the developers’ rhetoric and what is actually happening on the ground is too marked. The commissioners’ decision report details a scenario that needs to be challenged so it can produce a more certain and positive outcome for the special nature of Te Arai.” The society will hold a stall at the Mangawhai Domain Summer Gala day on January 2. Te Arai Coastal Lands Trust did not wish to comment.
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OFF THE RECORD Is Shifty there, please? One of the least enjoyable tasks of being a business owner is debt collection. It’s no fun chasing people who have overdue accounts and listening to the reasons (usually all very similar) for non-payment. The only thing worse is asking for the person in charge to hear the words: “Hang on, I’ll get Shifty for you.” Letters can be sent to editor@localmatters.co.nz or PO Box 701, Warkworth
Wrong site I was very disappointed to read that Pak’nSave is considering building a new supermarket at Hudson Road (MM, Dec 4). I understand that there is no infrastructure there yet so it will be some time before the supermarket would come to fruition. What is wrong with the site at the top of Woodcocks Road? It is ready and waiting and it would be complementary to Mitre 10 Mega which is already there, and most suitable for other firms to come to make a vibrant shopping complex. With all the new houses to be built in Warkworth — many, no doubt, south of the town as the Rural Urban Boundary has now been extended as far as The Honey Centre — Woodcocks Road would be a good catchment area. Furthermore, when Mansel Drive is extended and a bridge is built over the river, it would enable people from the north of the town to access Woodcocks Road via Falls Road. Marilyn Hayward, Warkworth
Insanity prevails Your correspondent Sylvia Taylor (MM, Dec 4) clearly did not read my letter properly. I have a huge amount of sympathy for her predicament, but let’s be clear: The construction of this motorway will do nothing to help her situation.
As I stated, and Joe Anderson confirmed in his letter, NZTA has effectively abandoned the idea of building the road through the Dome Valley because of the challenges of the terrain there. So effectively, the motorway has become the Puhoi to Warkworth highway and has lost any relevance to solving the problems of Northland and ceases to be a Road of National Significance. NZTA’s own traffic volume statistics for the current State Highway 1 in this area have shown a steady decrease in traffic volumes for the past few years, except for heavy goods vehicles. It would be far more beneficial to the area to spend a fraction of the cost (currently estimated at $780 million) on upgrading the existing highway and investing the money saved on projects that really would benefit the region. I am not against change at all, but this is not change. This project perfectly sums up what Albert Einstein defined as insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”. Bob Scott, Warkworth
Happy anniversary Warkworth’s 160th Anniversary proved to be a significant contribution to the heritage and wellbeing of a community well-heeled in things of value. The re-enactment involving some 72 descendants of local pioneering families aboard the Jane Gifford
certainly drew the largest gathering of some 1200 visitors followed by the Tractorama on Snells Beach. The Warkworth School cultural groups performed with enthusiasm, while Mahurangi College sent some 260 pupils on an historic river cruise aboard the Jane. Both the Warkworth Rose and Flower Show and the Warkworth Embroiderers Guild attracted excellent support. The Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving held in the Warkworth Anglican Church featured many aspects of early history. The service was followed by a large gathering at the founder’s graveside where great-great-greatgrandchildren, all members of the Brown family, laid a wreath. Rev Jan Olsen took the proceedings. Overall, I am sure that there has been keen interest in our heritage values and the future of our vibrant township. There are so many volunteers, organisations and sponsors to thank, including the organising committees of both Warkworth and Snells Beach. They have all contributed an amazing amount to the overall success. Am I planning to be involved in the 175th Anniversary? Who knows? God willing, I may be able to contribute even if I have to arrive in my Zimmer frame. It has become increasingly difficult and frustrating trying to work with councils and Local Boards – the
former Rodney District Council was bad enough. There are always stumbling blocks to overcome and that’s the challenge. They appear to either want to assist you or they don’t. In general, I have loved every occasion as it involves families and the total community whose enthusiasm gives you much encouragement to push on regardless. Dave Parker, Warkworth
Warkworth Scouts During 2013 the Warkworth Scout Group has been involved in fundraising for the Scout Group and our 18 Scouts going to the 20th New Zealand Jamboree for 10 days. We would like to thank all those businesses and groups who have helped out and the many people who bought raffle tickets, a sausage or made a donation. Scouting in Warkworth would not be possible without the support of the Mahurangi community and our many dedicated leaders, so again thank-you for your support. David Hay, group leader Warkworth Scouts We welcome your letters but letters under 300 words are preferred. We reserve the right to abridge them as necessary. Unabridged versions can be read under Opinion at www.localmatters.co.nz
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Sandspit marina due to start work in February Developers of a 131-berth marina at on February 1. Although this is about five months behind schedule, marina superintendent Graham Maker says the decision not to start in October as planned was done at the request of lead contractor Hopper Construction. “Rather than set up and then disband over the Christmas period, it was easier to set the new date,” Mr Maker says. Earlier this month, the society posted on its website that 30 supporters, who had initially indicated interest in securing a berth, had pulled out when it came time to put down a deposit. This left the society with a major shortfall in their budget estimated by some sources to be around $6 million. The post was subsequently updated with the news that a number of existing berth contributors were prepared to provide bridging finance to allow the marina to meet its financial requirements so the contract could become unconditional. Mr Maker insists the funding gap had no impact on the starting date. Meanwhile, the Sandspit Residents & Ratepayers Association has again asked the Rodney Local Board to consider using sand and dredgings from the
Sandspit hope to start construction marina to repair and reinforce the Sandspit seawall. The idea was first floated about two years ago without success. Association chair Alex Fowler and Hoppers managing director Guy Jones re-presented the proposal to the board on December 9. Mr Fowler says the spit is in a very poor state. “The matting behind the rocks has disintegrated so water is getting through and undermining the road,” he said. “We’re proposing that Auckland Council could undertake the repair work by utilising about 10,000 cubic metres of sand, as well as some of the dredgings, from the marina site. This is material that would otherwise be dumped at sea.” Mr Fowler says the board agreed to refer the matter to Auckland Transport. However, he says there is only a small window of opportunity, with work due to start at the beginning of February. He says it would also be a chance to improve what is a “pretty scruffy” area and this could include tidying up the mangroves.
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Australian sea squirt discovered at Sandspit be unsightly, there are no scientific studies on its actual impacts. “Eudistoma has been present in New Zealand since at least 2005, is established here and eradicating it is impossible,” she said. “It appears to bloom in summer then diminish over winter. With any introduced marine pest, it is likely to have the potential to compete with native species for growing space and food. “When Eudistoma is moved from one location to another, there is the possibility that new populations can establish in the new location. “MPI cannot, however, speculate on the likelihood of Eudistoma fragments surviving in relocated spoil.” The spokesperson says general biosecurity advice is that it is advisable to dispose of marine debris containing potential pest species on land where species are not able to get into the water and reproduce.
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Plans to build a marina at Sandspit could be complicated by the discovery of a marine pest in the estuary. A type of Australian sea squirt known as Eudistoma elongatum was discovered in March this year. It is the first time the species has been found south of Whangarei. Marina superintendent Graham Maker says he knows nothing about the discovery. But a Maritime NZ spokesperson says that if the Sandspit marina developer intends to use the dumping permit held by Coastal Resources, which is the only permit issued for the Hauraki Gulf, then it will need to produce a biosecurity sampling plan. The plan would need to be signed off before dumping started. Eudistoma elongatum forms large colonies or groups that attach to hard surfaces. A biosecurity spokesperson for the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) says although the species can
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What the Census reveals One of the tasks I enjoy most as mayor is presiding over citizenship ceremonies. I was pleased to be involved in a fantastic ceremony in Orewa recently, and just the other day at the Town Hall in Queen Street. It’s always a special moment as people from around the world who have chosen to make New Zealand their home, take the oath and become citizens. It was particularly timely on this occasion as it came on the same day as Statistics New Zealand released more information from the latest census reflecting how New Zealand has changed in the past seven years. Some people might suggest there hasn’t been significant change in the Rodney Local Board area during that period, but that’s not the way I see it. Rodney experienced an 11 percent increase in population during the past seven years compared with 8.5 percent in Auckland overall. There has been a significant increase in the number of seniors living in Rodney, with the 65-plus population growing by 49 percent. And seven years ago, Pasifika and Asian Aucklanders were vying as the third-biggest ethnic group in the Rodney area. That position has changed significantly with 53 percent more Asian Aucklanders in Rodney than there were seven years ago. Some other interesting areas covered by the release include education, income and connectivity. The number of people without a qualification in Rodney has dropped significantly while the number with a Bachelor or higher level qualification has increased by 56 percent. Median incomes in Rodney are climbing and remain above the median for Auckland overall. And the number of households in Rodney with access to the internet has climbed by 37 percent. Now while all of this makes good reading, the information is vital as your Council and Local Board plan for the future of the Rodney area. As we go through the process of reviewing the 30-year Auckland Plan, the 10year Long Term Plan and Unitary Plan, it provides us with vital information about how we should be adjusting those plans to deal with the reality of growth and the infrastructure, amenities and services required to support that growth. One of the amenities in the northern Rodney area that local people tell me they most want is a public swimming pool. And certainly more than half the submissions to the Local Board Plan support that view. People are argue quite correctly, what is the point of free swimming pools for kids if one isn’t accessible in this area? Well, some progress is being made to change that with Council considering a feasibility study as a part of a review of its swimming pools. My firm view is nothing beats free pools to keep our kids healthy and safe and I will watch this process with great interest. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy all that the beaches and regional parks in this part of Auckland provide. Northern Rodney is certainly a special part of Auckland particularly at this time of year. I wish you all the best for summer. Stay sun smart, safe around water, and best wishes for the festive season to you and your families.
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 7
Concerns over behaviour of young Warkworth girls
Experts working with Warkworth youth are alarmed at an increase in sexting and late-night escapades involving drugs and alcohol amongst girls as young as 12. Police youth aid officer John Williams we can identify them. We want to says females hanging around with prevent offending while kids are young older males is nothing new, but so they don’t go on to a life of crime.” “they’re getting younger.” His advice for parents is to make sure He says a group of around 10 local they’re fully aware of where their kids girls aged between 12 and 13 have are and who they are with. “Make become known to Police in the past six contact with their friends’ parents so months after being caught drinking kids can’t play you off each other.” unsupervised in parks and thieving. He says parenting is becoming more Some were caught stealing alcohol at relaxed and many parents just want supermarkets and others stole things to be their child’s friend, but making like cellphones from each other. The hard calls is part of the job. “at risk behaviour” could lead to unsafe or unwanted sex. Mr Williams says “Sometimes you’ll say things they don’t issues were spilling over into school like but kids like to have boundaries; time with students either truanting or they know they’re safe.” concerning trend is showing up tired and causing trouble. Another Warkworth youth sending semi-naked The girls and their families were invited to a meeting organised by pictures to each other via smartphone Police and public health nurse Ella apps like Snapchat. “Images are Evans-Guy at Mahurangi College at being captured on a screenshot then the end of November. School guidance distributed to a wider group,” Mr counsellors, Homebuilders and Williams says. representatives from Hestia Women’s “It can be traumatic. They believed Refuge were there and most parents it was private. Kids need an attended, Mr Williams says. understanding of how these things can The girls will be invited to attend be damaging to them.” a camp next year with inspiring The youth aid officer emphasises speakers and “good tools” to build on that while the issues are a worry, the relationships. number of young people affected is Mr Williams says what’s happening in small and youth crime in Warkworth Warkworth mirrors a national trend of is at an all-time low. increasing violent offending amongst *For help contact Youthline 0800 376 young women. 633, Altered High drug and alcohol “The difference is Warkworth is a counselling (09) 845 1893, Netsafe community where everybody cares and 0508 638 723, Hestia Women’s takes ownership of problems. We’re Refuge (09) 427 5154 or Warkworth lucky our problems are small enough Police (09) 425 8109
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Jetski rescue at Mangawhai Two Mangawhai Heads volunteer surf lifesavers recently rescued a middle-aged man and his 10-yearold son who were lost at sea for five hours on a broken jetski. Squad members Mike Fergusson and Mark Vercoe responded to a call that the father and son were in trouble in fading light 2km from Head Rock at Mangawhai towards Hen and Chicken Islands on Sunday December 1. “Their jetski wouldn’t start so they called Coastguard on their cellphone, who got in touch with us,” Mike says. “They were attempting to wave down boats but it didn’t work.” When Mike and Mark reached the area the duo was reported to be in, they saw no sign of them. “We were told no other assistance was available for an hour-and-a-half or more, so
we began a grid search of the area.” A flare was eventually spotted and the lifesavers, along with another boat, headed to the area just before 10pm. “After 10 minutes we heard whistles and located the vessel and two people 1km from Bream Tail. They had drifted 4km from their original position.” The father and son were wearing lifejackets but had been exposed to water up to their knees for over five hours. They were on the verge of hypothermia and were keeping themselves warm with a piece of carpet. Mike says everyone made it safely back to Mangawhai just after 10pm. The fact that the men had a cellphone, lifejacket, flare and whistle meant the operation was a rescue rather than a fatality.
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Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 9
Changes in the wind for Ascension Takatu Peninsula The new owners of Matakana’s Ascension Wine Estate are promising to bring the venue back to life, with plans for a “traditional” Italian restaurant, as well as a new outlet serving spit-roasted meat. The winery, which was placed in receivership in May, is expected to be handed over on December 20 to two Auckland families with a strong Italian and Macedonian background. Brothers Gino and Kiro Gurshin have a low profile in Auckland, despite having been in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. The brothers, who both live in Remuera, own the Portofino restaurant chain, which has nine restaurants in Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo, New Plymouth and Wellington. They have also recently opened Osteria da Gino in Mount Maunganui. Companies Office records appear to show they also have a beef and sheep farm at Waipu. They have teamed up with brothers Alex and Mick Sipka to buy Ascension. The Sipka brothers also live in Remuera and have a background in installing Gino said he planned to offer fine dining options for telecommunications and security equipment in weddings, and was also keen to build another “little commercial premises, but more recently have house” on the front corner of the 7.6ha property, and branched out into residential and commercial set up an open rosticceria — a slow-food takeaway property investment. serving spit-roasted meat. According to their website, their investments “When you’re passing you can see it and you can include Canterbury Arcade in central Auckland. On smell it,” he enthused. LinkedIn, Alex Sipka lists his interests as “property, Gino — who joked about owning a Lamborghini new technology, hunting and wines”. and a Ferrari (he has previously owned property on Gino Gurshin told Mahurangi Matters the Ascension Paratai Drive) — said he also planned to “tidy up” purchase was “the best thing I ever bought”. “I am the driveway and parking, and build more fences. so happy. I always wanted to buy a winery and make He said he didn’t know much about making wine, wine. The place is very nice,” he said. but intended to get some help from friends in Italy. He explained that his mother came from Portofino, And he would definitely be keeping the Ascension while his father was Macedonian. “That makes me brand for the wine. tutti-frutti!” he exclaimed. “I love the name. I can’t even pronounce it but I He said he intended to rename the restaurant know what it means – beautiful. Even if I do nothing “Osteria Matakana”. In Italy, an osteria was to the place it is still beautiful.” originally a place in the mountains that served wine He said he had not had any contact with the Soljan family, and had no plans to get in touch. and simple food.
under threat ‘again’ The spectre of a 600-house development on the Takatu Peninsula, between Omaha and Tawharanui Regional Park, has raised its head again. In feedback on the draft Unitary Plan prior to its formal notification, Omaha Park Ltd – the company that has been trying to develop the land since 2001 – has asked Auckland Council to implement a bespoke planning framework. They say the land, which is zoned East Coast Rural, is “unique” and warrants a tailor-made plan which protects environmentally significant areas but still allows development in specifically designated areas. Both the former Rodney District Council and the Environment Court have already rejected Omaha Park’s development plans, which in the past included a range of commercial, residential, rural living and lifestyle sections, as well as visitor accommodation and open space areas, a 200-room hotel overlooking Omaha Bay, retirement village, golf course and aircraft activity. The strongest opposition to the development came from landowners at Omaha. At the annual Omaha Forum held on November 23, residents were told that the developers looked ready to “have another go”. Chair Graham Painter said some residual funds from the 2010 campaign were available to be spent on any professional input that might be needed to address the matter in the Unitary Plan process. Cr Penny Webster says that as part of the Unitary Plan process, commissioners will consider the history of the application and the fact that both Rodney Council and the Environment Court have already rejected it. The 650-hectare property is owned by international businessman Hermann Hauser.
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10 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
More than just a home, it’s a great lifestyle
T
he Kensington Park neighbourhood in Orewa is finding favour with homeowners, who are increasingly being attracted to the quality homes, landscaped reserves, leisure facilities and the vibrant Kensington Park community.
neighbourhood includes beautifully landscaped reserves, perfect for meeting up with friends. Walkways encourage residents to walk throughout the park, as well as the neighbouring native bush reserve leading to the beach.
Superbly finished with a high quality fit out, homes at Kensington Park combine elegantly designed interiors, good sized balconies, internal lifts and lockable basement parking to create a quality easycare home and lifestyle within the Orewa neighbourhood.
The Kensington Park concept, the first of its kind in New Zealand, is meeting favour with buyers who are usually like-minded home owners. They are looking for an attractive easy-care lifestyle in a quality environment, offering the benefits of luxury leisure facilities and fully landscaped grounds without the need to maintain a large section. Kensington Park’s Development Manager Dan Ogle comments, “While we pay great attention to complimentary architecture, colours and design, what we are really building and offering is a great community. Much of our design is directed to create great streetscapes, community gathering spaces and establishing events so that neighbours can easily become friends.”
Freehold titles (including the unit titles) are also a significant attraction to home buyers, giving future investment advantages and peace of mind. With facilities available to owners in this neighbourhood, including a gymnasium, heated pool, sauna and vege garden allotments, and with streets and reserves maintained to the highest of standards, residents could be forgiven for thinking they are living in a resort. Instead, they are home owners in one of New Zealand’s most liveable and award winning developments offering unbeatable location, facilities and lifestyle. Located on the Hibiscus Coast, north of Auckland - just a short stroll to popular Orewa beach, this 40 acre showcase
Michael Holdsworth, a resident of three years is truly delighted, saying “Moving into Kensington Park was the best decision I’ve ever made. The past three years have been the best three years of my life.” The homes are low-maintenance but qualitydriven and designed for a lifestyle that enables home owners to enjoy the benefits
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of the extensive landscape plan. Featuring a range of homes to suit everyone, from three and four bedroom freehold houses with private gardens through to quality 1, 2 and 3 bedroom freehold apartments. Homes carry a 10 year structural and leak-proof guarantee and are equipped with the latest fibre-optic cabling, which delivers telephone, television and internet services. Homes are insulated to higher than normal standards in the floors, walls and ceilings. The buildings are oriented for maximum energy efficiency, and incorporate features such as low-energy heat pumps, eco-lighting, induction cookers and double-glazed windows. This popular neighbourhood has garnered international recognition, winning International Property Awards, as well as an award for best NZ Urban Land Development 2012 with the NZ Property Council. For originality, quality and style, this superb development is certainly worth viewing when considering your next move. You too could live and enjoy a genuine community lifestyle in a friendly neighbourhood, just 35 minutes north of the Auckland CBD. Showhomes Open to View 10am to 4pm daily, or call 0800 57 67 392 for an appointment to view. 1 Parkside Drive, Orewa, Auckland www.kensingtonpark.co.nz
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 11
Briefs St John receives donation St John Warkworth has received more than $1800 following a fundraising effort by Noel Leeming. The Warkworth store held a major promotion in early November, donating 2.5 percent of its proceeds to St John.
SAFE annual appeal
Trolley derby organiser Craig Powell takes a ‘racer’s view’ of the course.
Trolley derby planned for Warkworth If you’re off your trolley in Morrison Drive, Warkworth, next March, chances are you won’t be the only one. It’s been more than a decade since and even construction. For safety’s sake, (six- to 10-year-olds), blazers (11-17Warkworth last held a trolley derby, there are some rules around the design, years-olds) and open limos which will but that’s all about to change. he says. For instance, trolleys must have include business house entries. Schools, clubs, businesses and cable or mechanical steering, a properly “We’re not expecting to make any individuals are being challenged to fitted roll bar, functional brakes and a money,” Craig says. “The entry fees have been set just to cover a few of the come up with the fastest and flashiest minimum of three wheels. racers on three wheels for an event Harvey, who has raced in several compliance costs.” planned to take place in the industrial trolley derbies, says it helps to have The organisers plan to run a workshop area on Sunday, March 9. someone on the team who knows closer to the trolley date where Organiser Craig Powell and his pit crew something about engineering and experienced trolley racers can pass on boss Harvey Carran say the emphasis of welding. A trolley that is streamlined their experience. and lightweight, with a low rolling The event is being supported by the the day will be on having fun. Warkworth Area Business Association. Craig says the summer holidays will be resistance, will prove hard to beat. an ideal time to start on design work The race categories will be ripper Info: warkworthtrolleyclub.co.nz
Animal lover Fleur Auber is hitting the streets with people dressed in animal costumes to highlight the effects of factory farming and raise money for the SAFE annual appeal on December 20 and 21. The Warkworth resident says factory farming is cruel and causes suffering because animals are overcrowded and unable to display their natural behaviour. Fleur needs help collecting in the Warkworth area and encourages those who may have a few hours to spare on either day to contact her at fleurt99@aol.com
Warkworth generosity Warkworth residents are among NZ’s most generous when it comes to supporting Oxfam at Christmas. The charity has revealed this year’s most generous NZ towns in its latest list of gifts given through its Oxfam Unwrapped appeal. Warkworth is ninth on the list, which was topped by the South Island town of Upper Moutere. Over the past seven years Warkworth residents have donated over $15,600 towards Oxfam’s work to end poverty and injustice in the Pacific. Oxfam Unwrapped gifts can be purchased at oxfamunwrapped.org.nz or by calling toll-free 0800 400 666.
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12 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
Season’s Greetings Mark Mitchell MP for rodne y
GrowinG the economy
Law and order
It has not been easy and there is still plenty to do. Many families and businesses are still finding things quite challenging. However, the good news is there are a number of positive indicators.
On a personal note I was proud to have the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill pass into law earlier this year. This means as a country we can take a significant step forward in providing organisations and communities with a tool to stop the intimidation that wearing a gang patch creates. National is making it clear to New Zealanders it will not tolerate criminal gang activities.
Our economy is growing. We are on track for 2 to 3 per cent annual growth over the next few years. The table below outlines some of the progress we have made.
The national crime rate has fallen 7.4 per cent in the year to June 2013, continuing the steady trend over the past three years. This figure shows our fight against crime is working, and high levels of criminal activity don’t need to be a fact of life.
We inherited an economy where:
And now:
The current account deficit was almost 9% of GDP.
The current account deficit is now 4.3% of GDP.
Net external debt (public plus private) had blown out to 84% of GDP.
Net external debt is now 71% of GDP.
Inflation was running at 5.1%.
Inflation is now only 1.4%.
Government spending had gone up 50% in five years.
Government spending is well under control despite the pressures of the recession, the GFC, and the Canterbury earthquakes.
The economy had been going backwards for four quarters.
The economy grew 2.5% in the past year – one of the highest rates in the OECD.
Treasury was forecasting neverending deficits and debt looked likely to get to 60% of GDP and never come down.
We are now forecast to be in surplus in 2014/15 and debt is expected to peak below 30% of GDP.
keepinG in touch It is important to me that we keep in touch, whether that be by signing up to my newsletter or contacting my office with any enquiries. I hope you have a wonderful and safe summer and Christmas with family and friends. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
from my family, to you and yours. We wish you a joyful Christmas and a prosperous new year. Mark, Peggy and family 7 Tamariki Ave, Orewa
PO Box 289 Orewa 0946
(09) 426 6215
www.markmitchell.co.nz
mp.rodney@ parliament.govt.nz
www.national.org.nz
Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Mark Mitchell MP, Tamariki House, 7 Tamariki Avenue, Orewa
Welcome to the end of 2013. I thought it was timely to update you on the National Government's achievements this year. Between Parliament and the electorate it has been busy and I feel we are in great stead leading into 2014.
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 13
Top firefighters take a bow at annual awards night The volunteer contribution of firefighters in Warkworth was recognised at the annual Honours Night held on December 7. Fire chief Ian Davies said that up until the end of last month, members of the Warkworth brigade had volunteered the equivalent of more than six years in training nights and fire callouts. “It’s a pretty impressive record, by anyone’s standards,” he said. The calculation included attendance at 258 fire calls. The busiest month was October when the brigade responded to 38 calls, while April, May and August were the quietest months with just 18 calls each. Highlights during the year included the hosting of the Auckland Provincial Gold Association annual conference in October and the brigade’s performance in the Auckland District Fire Brigades Sub Association Waterway challenge. For the first time in the brigade’s history, Warkworth had a win at the national event taking out line honours in the two-person event featuring Dan Goodwin and Nick McLean. The brigade was also the Sub Association champion in February. Honours list: 14 year Medals – Bruce Stubbs and Richard Wood; Three Year Certificate – Gaye Flewellyn, Leaine Pilgrim, Maxine Rutherford, Sam Noyer; Five year Medal – Gaye Flewellyn; Two Year Silver Bars – Mark Rouse (7yrs), Nick Mclean (9yrs), Tory Hudson (9yrs), Dan Goodwin (11yrs), Jane Watt (11yrs), Richard Wood (15yrs), Bruce Stubbs (15yrs); Two year Gold Bar – Paul Graham (27yrs), Peter Connell (39yrs), Andy Tucker (41 yrs). Mather Attendance Cup – Dan Goodwin and Scott McMahon (both 98%); Most Attendance to incidents – Ian Davies (171 calls); Most Active Firefighter – Richard Wood; Officers Shield – Maxine Rutherford; Most Outstanding Firefighter – Maxine Rutherford; Operational Support Trophy – Gavin Noyer; Whitehorn Family Cup – Scott McMahon; PGG Wrighton Cup – Nick McLean.
Fourteen-year medal recipients Richard Wood and Bruce Stubbs.
Maxine Rutherford received her three-year certificate, as well as picking up the Officers Shield.
PGG Wrightson Cup recipient Nick McLean. More photos with this story at www.localmatters.co.nz
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More than two years after vandals stole his head, work has started on restoring King George in Matakana. Auckland stonemason Steve Woodward was on site last month examining the break and taking measurements to make a mould. He expects to have the head ready for installation in January. Auckland Council will spend around $19,000 on the repairs, which includes some general cleaning and landscaping around the memorial.
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Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 15
Bus passenger numbers rise, but service’s future uncertain Passenger numbers on Warkworth’s bus service – the Kowhai Connection – are picking up, but it remains to be seen if they’ll be enough to convince Auckland Transport to maintain the service after March next year. Gubbs Motors managing director service is meeting community needs. Kevin Jones says he’s pleased with the “There’s a lot of demand for this type improvement in passenger numbers, of hybrid service in rural and semi-rural but believes the trial needs to run for communities so there are lessons to be longer than 12 months to be effective. learned from this trial which will helpful “For one reason or another, the trial for other areas,” Mr Milner says. started late and missed last summer,” “Before we decide whether to continue he said. “It takes a while for people to the service, we need to know that it change their habits so we’d like to see can be financially sustainable in the the trial extended.” long-term.” He says realistically, the The daily average jumped from 32 fare box should cover about 50 percent passengers in October to 44 last of costs. “The Kowhai Connection is month, with the warmer weather well short of doing that.” and more use by high school students A decision on the future of the service being given as the main reasons for the will be made in February. rise. The quietest month since the trial Meanwhile, AT has launched a special started in March was August when the Kowhai Connection Explorer Day daily average dropped to 23. Pass which allows four pick-ups or Operations manager Ian Davies says drop-offs along the scheduled route, the target for the service to work is a for $15. The pass is being promoted daily average of 66. “Although we’re at local information offices as an ideal still well short of that, the latest figures no-fuss way for tourists to visit local are encouraging. attractions, wineries and restaurants. “We’ve had to up-size from the To request a pick-up or drop-off 13-seater to the 28-seater a lot more freephone 0508 569 424 or email often lately.” service@kowhai.org.nz. For the bus Auckland Transport network planner timetable, see ad p43 Simon Milner says the viability of the Have you used the Kowhai Connection will be evaluated Kowhai Connection and during January and February. if not, why not? This will involve looking at who’s using Comment at the buses, the purpose of their travel localmatters.co.nz and some assessment on whether the
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Friends gathered at the Warkworth RSA on Friday night, December 6, to celebrate Mary Galpin’s 99th birthday. Up until just six months ago, Mary was army hut, which used to be where still a regular on the RSA dance floor, Countdown is now.” still doing the jitterbug and rock n roll. Mary and her late husband Richard “I’ve danced all my life and just love (Dufty) moved to Warkworth in 1982. it,” she said. When she turned 90, she donned a Mary recalled seeing the present RSA set of leathers and went for a ride on being built. a Harley-Davidson. The owner of the “Prior to the opening of this building, bike has already promised her another we’d pack in like sardines to an old ride on her 100th birthday.
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Wellsford’s old library and primary school under review Wellsford’s old library could become a community hub or information centre after a meeting was held to discuss its future. Other suggestions included turning Gordon Coates, who intended for it it into a toy library, a gym for youth, to become a war memorial. a community-owned café or an Sue says an Auckland Council Maori opportunity shop. adviser also attended the meeting and Auckland Council senior project leader commented “residents care for it like Sue Dodds attended the gathering we care about our Marae.” on November 26 with Rodney Local Meanwhile the Aronui Trust is Board members James Colville and deciding what to do with Wellsford’s John McLean. old primary school on School Road. She explained that when a Council The school started life on the edge owned property is no longer needed of Whakapirau Creek in 1875 before for its original purpose, it goes to moving to School Road in 1911. It another part of Council that looks at became the district high school in whether to keep it or sell it and there’s 1938 before Wellsford High School no guarantee it will be retained. “To was established in 1962 at the site of keep it the community, the Local the current Rodney College. Board have to make a business case.” Wellsford’s old library building. By 1964 the school had become Sue says a number of groups and too big and an intermediate school individuals have approached her over referred to as Wellsford North Senior the last few months with suggestions School started further down School for the site, but it was decided at Road, where the primary school now the meeting that many could take is. It opened with 688 students from place elsewhere and she encouraged Standard 3 to Form 2. The juniors them to think of what’s good for the followed them in 1990, around which community as a whole. time the Ministry of Education sold “People put their own individual ideas the old site. to one side and collectively came up It is now empty and overgrown with with two clever ideas,” she says. weeds and has been owned by the These included a community hub, Wellsford’s old school on School Road was sold by the Ministry of Education Aronui trust for the last 20 years. It in 1990. where people could gather and has a valuation of $330,000. CEO meet and activities like community The idea is people will get to know the “If they’re interested I’ll follow up the Dean Grace says his board is currently gardening or a market day could take town better, spend money and boost ideas with local people so see where reviewing its options for the site. The the local economy.” we might go, then I’ll write a business trust operates tertiary institution place – or an information centre. case.” Sue says she will go back to the people “It would promote the town, Te Wananga o Aronui that runs encourage people to explore in and who attended the workshop and put The old library sits on land that used to an array of courses throughout the around Wellsford and let them know the two ideas on the library’s Facebook be owned by former Kaipara resident North Island including business, IT, about artisan produce and beaches. page inviting people to comment. and first New Zealand-born premier hospitality, trades and construction.
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18 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
Hundreds turn out in Wellsford
For more photos, see localmatters.co.nz
Chinese lion dancers were one of the highlights of this year’s Wellsford Santa Parade. More than 200 people and 25 floats took part in the parade on November 30. Kowhai Kids won the youth section, Wellsford Rockers won best overall and community float, and the Green Bird Café won best business float. Next year’s parade is already being planned and will take place on November 29.
CALLING ALL LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS If your organisation is looking for support, funds, mentoring or just plain help, here is a major opportunity The combined Service Clubs in the Warkworth and Wellsford areas are hosting their first ‘Rotary Lions Den’. All community groups and not-for-profit organisations in the area will have the opportunity to present their hopes and challenges to a panel of members of the service clubs. As a result, we’ll get a clearer idea of the needs of the local community groups, and be able to channel our funds and efforts into a wider range of good causes. The application process will be quite informal, but starts now! In the first instance, produce a single page A4-sized summary which includes the name and contact details of your organisation, your aims and objective, and a summary of the type of help you are looking for. Please also include the steps you’ve already taken to meet those objectives.
Warkworth Lions
Kowhai Coast Lions
Warkworth Inner Wheel
Warkworth Rotary
Send this summary to warkworthrotary@gmail.com before 17th January 2014. Selected groups will then be invited to present to the Panel on Wednesday 26th February 2014. Watch this space for further announcements.
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 19
Warkworth turns into tinsel town
For more photos, see localmatters.co.nz
A wet morning didn’t put the dampeners on the annual Warkworth Christmas Parade, which went ahead on schedule at 1pm on December 7. Warkworth Business Association chair Rachel Callender said despite the early reservations about whether the parade would be cancelled, the sun came out and the afternoon was a great success. “The standard of floats was outstanding,” she said. “The lolly scramble and ice blocks were new this year, thanks to the generosity of the Bridge House Lodge and New World, and went down a treat.” A total of 26 floats participated, including Santa in his new sleigh. Hire Works, Resene, Carters and Timberworld, as well as volunteer designers and builders, were thanked for making Santa’s new transport possible. The designer sleigh is now on display at Wilmot Motors. Parade winners were: Early childhood groups, sponsored by Darren Knight Chartered Accountant – Sandcastles Early Childhood Centre; schools, sponsored by Mason Container Hire & Sales – Warkworth Primary School; community, sponsored by Chocolate Brown and Natures Nest Early Learning Centre – Dance Dimensions Warkworth and Warkworth Scout Group; businesses, sponsored by Recruit NZ – Electrix. Photos taken with Santa can be collected from The Camera Shop for $2.
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It’s not too late to contribute a gift to less fortunate families in our community. The Warkworth and Snells Beach appropriate age. offices of Ray White are still accepting The gifts will be delivered to local gifts for their Christmas appeal, “A families by the Rotary Club of Little Ray of Giving”. Warkworth. Gifts should be wrapped and dropped “It’s a really simple way to make a under the Christmas tree in the front difference to young children who window of each office. might otherwise go without this Please tell the staff whether the Christmas,” says senior property gift is for a boy and girl, and an manager, Nicole Banks.
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We love the front yard! Dallas & Steve Honey – A new perspective Sherry has seized the opportunity to be the third generation baking cakes with the help of Christian Herbulot.
Have your cake and eat it, too Cricketer Martin Crowe’s mother Audrey has been baking cakes and selling them nationally since 1972. Her ability to make yummy food at port and stacks of fruit. Sherry is using cricket matches in which her sons Warkworth French patisserie chef played saw her create a sought-after Christian Herbulot to make the cakes brand. Now her granddaughter and is selling them at the Matakana Sherry has taken over the business and Country Park Market on Saturday renamed it Crowe and Co Ltd. mornings. Sherry’s selection includes a Christmas You can also email for direct orders cake made from an old family recipe on croweandcofoods@gmail.com or call with chocolate, pineapple, treacle, 422 7891.
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22 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
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Don’t let the Argies into Tawharanui By Sue Crawshay
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Conditions: Buy Resene premium paint, wallpaper or decorating accessories at Resene ColorShops or participating resellers and get the GST (15% off the full retail price) off. The GST reduction will be calculated on the normal retail price OR if you have a ColorShop Card you can get the Save the GST sale discount and then the ColorShop Card discount off the Save the GST sale price. Excludes Crown, trade and industrial products, PaintWise levy and account sales. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Offer closes 29 January 2014.
IS YOUR CHIMNEY SAFE? A CHIMNEY/FLUE FIRE CAN REACH TEMPERATURES OF 1800 DEGREES!
Unless your chimney, fireplace, woodburner & flue is checked regularly your
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Phone now on 423 8945 and avoid the pre-winter rush – GET IT SORTED NOW
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Currently Tawharanui Regional Park is thought to be free of Argentine ants and this is the way we would much prefer it to stay. Argentine ants pose a major threat to our native wildlife, and are listed as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species. So how did they get this reputation? Argentine ants compete with kiwi for food such as insects and worms. They compete with other native birds and lizards for nectar, they displace and kill native invertebrates, and they are also capable of killing baby birds. They rob beehives and predate bees that affect honey production and pollination. Ants are not good pollinators of flowers so a reduction in numbers of pollinating insects has the potential to have big impacts on the horticulture industry. Flax plants found to be infested with Argentine ants have a reduced chance of being pollinated and they produce smaller seed that can effect Brian Shields with seed germination. Argentine ants his Argentine ant-detecting dog, are also capable of chewing holes Rhys Jones. in irrigations systems and many groups of invertebrates are entirely absent or rare in the presence of Argentine ants. They eat a wide range of foods including nectar, insects, seeds, carrion, and the sticky honeydew secreted by aphids and scale insects. Workers have a mostly sugar-based diet, while larvae and queens feed mostly on protein. And they also An Argentine ant. bite people. These are bad ants! Argentine ant workers are small (2-3mm long), and a uniform honey-brown colour (unlike house ants, which are black). They are a similar size and colour to some of our native ants, but unlike native ants that only live outdoors, these ants will come inside and get into your pantry, stove, fridge and microwave. They travel in wide trails five to six ants wide and walk or swarm over people, animals and things rather than going around them. Most other ants in this situation become confused for a while if objects are placed across their trails. Most ants also have a distinctive smell when squashed — Argentine ants don’t. The threat to our native plants and animals is considered so great that Auckland Council biosecurity officer Brian Shields has trained a dog to detect these ants. So, before you come to Tawharanui check out your camping and beach gear. Give your umbrellas, deckchairs and fins a good bang on the ground — this will dislodge them and make them flee. Unpack your tents, hang them on the washing line and give them a whacking with a broom and then thoroughly inspect them before repacking them. Check all the items over as you pack them in your car and keep these ants out of Tawharanui. If you’ve found some brown ants and you’re not sure they’re Argentine ants, bring a sample in a well-sealed container with your address and phone number to the Department of Conservation area office in Baxter St in Warkworth. There also is more information about Argentine ants on the department’s website (doc.govt.nz). Save the date: The next Sunday in the Park will be Sunday February 1. Meet at the woolshed at 9.15 am. A BBQ lunch is provided after the work activities are done.
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 23
Turn up the heat...
r e m m u S PUBLICATION - 18 DECEMBER 2013
E D I U G T N E M N I A T ENTER
Puhoi Woodchopping, Warkworth Rodeo, The Feelers Shapeshifter, Knights of the Dub Table, Brendhan Lovegrove, Waipu Games, Warkworth A&P Show .... and MUCH more
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PUHOI AXEMEN’S CARNIVAL - 11 JANUARY
Top Kiwi axemen headline at Puhoi’s summer spectacle The strength and skill of some of NZ’s top axemen will be on show at the annual Puhoi Woodchopping Carnival next month. Current world underhand champion Jack Jordan, and his brother Shane, also a world championship representative, will headline the contingent from Taranaki. Puhoi Axemen’s Club secretary John Sanderson is predicting some tough competition on the day. “The event is limited to 32 entries and is always oversubscribed these days,” he says. “The grounds of the Puhoi Hotel provide the perfect venue, there’s more than $4000 in prize money, and the atmosphere is one of the best you’ll find at any carnival. You don’t have to know anything about woodchopping to enjoy it.” Underhand, single hand, double hand sawing, teams events, axe throwing and Jack & Jill sawing are all on the programme. One of the most popular events is the jigger board, which involves the axemen scaling a pole and chopping at height. There’s also a novice competition for less experienced axemen. It’s open to both male and female entrants on the day who have yet to win prizemoney. “It gives them a chance to compete in front of a crowd to start building their confidence.” John predicts the calibre of the axemen entered in next month’s event will result in some dead heats. While three eye judges monitor the events, each chop is also videoed. When there’s a close finish, the tape can be replayed so the judges can use the footage to confirm placings.
The experienced axemen make it look easy. Photos, Colin Staples of The Camera Shop
The carnival will be held on Saturday, January 11, starting at 9.30am and wrapping up around 4.30pm. Entry is free. John thanked local businesses and the Puhoi Hotel for assisting with prizemoney and sponsorship. Read this story online to see a video of the Puhoi Axemen in action.
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Cambell Hastie was a late starter on the woodchopping scene, but he hasn’t let that hold him back.
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 25
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Age proves no barrier in ring While woodchopping conjures up images of NZ’s pioneering past, not everyone on the block has inherited their skill from a father or grandfather. In axemen’s terms, mortgage broker Campbell Hastie, of Kaukapakapa, was a late starter. He was in his 30s before he picked up an axe and stepped into the ring. “I’d watched woodchopping events like Puhoi and the Warkworth A&P for years and loved the spectacle and the competitive spirit,” he says. “Being a bit older hasn’t done me any harm, but through winter I’ve been training twice a week to keep my fitness up. My handicap is up to 18 seconds and I reckon I haven’t reached my best yet.” Now on the NZ Axemen’s Association executive council, Campbell says he’d like to see more teenage boys get involved in the sport.
“It gives boys the opportunity to learn a skill and use their strength and energy constructively, and there are plenty of old heads around who are more than willing to pass on their knowledge – people like Ike Tuhega and Bruce Alexander who still holds the NZ record for the tree climb and is probably one of the last bushman to have brought down a kauri.” Campbell says strength is certainly a big part of what makes a good axeman, but he believes that technique is the key to winning. “Meetings like Puhoi and Warkworth A&P are the perfect time for young blokes to approach the axemen and talk about the sport. “It’s pretty intimidating to chop in front of a crowd, so it’s best to give these guys a crack at it away from the shows and ease them into it.”
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WARKWORTH RODEO – 1 JANUARY
Plenty of action expected at annual Warkworth Rodeo Warkworth Rodeo is a fun day out for the family but it also marks the halfway point in a gruelling itinerary for competitors. Many are tired and carrying injuries by the time they arrive, but the Warkworth bulls they ride are “fired up and fresh as a daisy.” The tension between man and beast makes for a spectacle and club secretary Krista Fletcher says people expect to see some blood and guts. “They love to see cowboys flying into the air, stomped on and mashed into the dirt.” The 54th annual rodeo takes place at Warkworth Showgrounds on New Year’s Day from 9.30am. It features the traditional bull ride, saddle bronc ride, bareback ride, ladies barrel race, team roping, steer wrestling and rope and tie events for Rodeo Association members – as well as a barrel race and steer ride for the locals. For children there’s sheep catching and a lolly scramble. Krista says around six families travel the eight-rodeo Christmas circuit in trucks, from Winchester to Kaitaia. “Lots start as calf riders. They travel with their parents then move to second division bullriding and the bigger stock. You earn $1 per point and it all finishes up at the end of the
Expect a spectacle at Warkworth Rodeo on New Year’s Day PHOTO/ PETER STEVENS
season in titles for each event.” She says when she started participating in the 70s it was all good friends congregating on a Friday night. “We’d have a bonfire, a sing-along and a few drinks. They don’t do that anymore. The guys consider themselves athletes. It takes a fair bit of skill to stay on a bucking horse or bull and these guys
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practise and practise.” Up to 200 competitors have attended in recent years and Krista says the sport has become particularly strong amongst young Maori males. Rodeo has been going in New Zealand since the 1940s and Krista says people take part for the sporting challenge. “They don’t do it for the money. You
can’t make a living from it in New Zealand because it’s seasonal.” She says the “macho” event has attracted criticism from some animal lovers over the years, but their fears are unfounded. “They think we do things like put barbed wire under saddles to make the horses buck, but that’s rubbish. SPCA inspectors make random checks on the event and any injured stock can’t be used.” Warkworth Rodeo own 25 bucking horses, 40 bulls and the big ones are $1000 each. “They’re very valuable. They’re only ridden once a year and the rest of the time they live the life of Riley. They’re all drenched, checked for ticks and in tip-top condition.” She says Tomarata farming couple Tom and Marie Whiteford have imported semen from a string of Australian bucking bulls. They implant it into New Zealand cows and breed them. “They had their first outing in the novice second division bull rides last year and showed a lot of promise. They’ll get their second outing this year and they’ll be bigger and better.” Krista is concerned there aren’t enough young people coming through the ranks and recommends calf riding at Ranch Club practice days to give them a taste. Visit the Warkworth Rodeo Facebook page for more information.
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Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 27
TREE REMOVAL AT HOME & BACHES
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T GUIDE N E M N I A T ENTER
Graham Rauner Owner/Operator 425 9639 • 021 525 073 Proud to be supporting the 2014 Warkworth Rodeo
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28 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
Contact the
6
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Warkworth Rodeo Events
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tc transcon WARKWORTH Ltd. Phone (09) 423 9300 Email ian@transcon.co.nz Proudly Supporting the Warkworth Rodeo
Bareback
Team Roping
The rider attempts to stay on the back of his horse using only his balance and a suitcase type handhold, known as a rigging, which is placed on top of the horse’s withers then secured with a cinch. The rigging must be of NZRCA approved standards.
Team Roping is the only team event in rodeo. There are two ropers, one known as the header and the other is the heeler. Just like rope & tie ropers and steer wrestlers, the ropers start the event on the back of their horses in the timed event box.
Steer Wrestling Steer Wrestling, or “bulldogging” as it is sometimes known, has the basic objective for the steer wrestler to use his technique and strength to wrestle the steer to the ground, in the fastest time possible. Like with rope & tie and team ropers, the steer wrestler starts the event on the back of his horse in the timed event box.
Barrel Racing
The Faces of Property Management
Barrel Racing is a female-only event. The objective of a Barrel Racing run is to ride a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels as quickly as possible. The time starts when the barrel racer crosses electronic timers on her horse. She then heads for the first barrel and makes a sharp turn around it.
Saddle Bronc The event that started rodeo, it originated from the necessary job of breaking in and training horses to be used in ranches, in the days of the Wild West.
Bull Riding Bull Riding is usually the last event to be held at a rodeo, and is the most dangerous. Just like bareback and saddle Bronc riding, the rider can
only hold onto the animal with one hand – touching it with his free arm will get him disqualified. Bull riders are not required to mark out a bull. Spurring a bull will add to his score but it is not a requirement of the ride. The rider holds onto a flat braided rope with one gloved hand. This rope is known as a bull rope. It is wrapped around the bull’s chest just behind the bull’s front legs.
How roughstock events are scored There are two judges. Each award up to 25 points for the way the animal bucks and up to 25 points for the way the contestant rides it, making a total possible score of 100 points for each ride.
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Local Barrel Race - Closes 29th Dec • Local Steer Ride - Entry on the day To enter phone the Secretary 09 425 8828
Dogs not permitted on grounds
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Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 29
If it’s local, let us know! Mahurangi Matters
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old school inc. vintage treasures. homewares. 745 matakana road. Volunteers Bill Bruhns, left, and Kevin Dixon fill the hospice van with broken furniture destined for landfill.
Thanks, but no thanks, says Warkworth Wellsford Hospice ‘Donations’ of broken and dirty goods are costing hospice thousands of dollars a year and reducing the funding available for palliative care in the community. Warkworth Wellsford Hospice relies heavily on the income from its two shops and its weekly garage sale to fund its community nursing and family support services for people living with life-threatening illnesses. The hospice greatly appreciates donations of clothing, furniture, tools, whiteware, toys and other useful items – as long as they are in saleable condition. With many residents giving their homes a pre-Christmas tidy-up, the year end often sees more rubbish left on hospice’s hands. Garage sale manager John McEwing says broken furniture and electrical
appliances and ripped and dirty clothing cannot be sold and are a burden on the hospice. “We’re not in a position to do repairs on things so they need to be readily saleable,” he says. Warkworth Wellsford Hospice works hard to minimise waste – it recycles old, clean clothing and passes some goods on to other community groups – but even so, rubbish disposal costs about $10,000 a year. Handling broken, dirty items is also hard and unpleasant work for hospice’s volunteers. It costs just over $1 million a year to run the hospice service from Puhoi to Mangawhai. About a quarter of this is funded by the health board, leaving a $700,000 shortfall to be met by community fundraising.
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MANGAWHAI TAVERN ENTERTAINMENT
Musical feast on the menu at Mangawhai Tavern Christchurch band the Feelers will once again rock the Mangawhai Tavern on New Year’s Eve, as part of their summer tour. Fresh from a 12-month hiatus, the band is planning two blistering sets to see out 2013 in style. And they will be supported by local Mangawhai band The Goods. Mangawhai Tavern owner Gillian Houser is thrilled about the venue’s post-Christmas line-up, which features acts every night until January 5, with another blast in mid and late January. “I think it’s a fantastic selection of music that should suit just about every taste,” she says. The musical feast will kick off with New Zealand-born but New Yorkbased duo Mt Eden on Boxing Day. This year alone, Mt Eden has played everywhere from Electric Daisy Carnival and Coachella to Nocturnal Wonderland, only stopping by back home in September for a one-off and sold-out show at Auckland’s Vector Arena alongside pop sensation Lorde. The duo is launching their “Sky is Gold” tour at Mangawhai, and special guests making appearances along the way include a who’s who of NZ electronic artists, including State of Mind and DJ Dick Johnson.
The Feelers are launching their summer tour in Mangawhai, before they go on to headline nationwide festivals.
Another star act is Australian Idol winner and X Factor judge Guy Sebastian, who plays on December 27. Sebastian is here for his first headline tour of New Zealand, taking in typical summer venues. Promoter Steve Tree is also performing in his own band at Mangawhai Tavern. “Bad Moon Rising” is the name of the The Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute Show, in which Steve plays
drums and percussion. The show will be on December 30. Hamilton roots reggae band Katchafire headline on January 3. Gillian says the pub starts getting queries about the line-up in the middle of the year. “I think it’s got stronger every year and people expect it now,” she says. “Some people come up for several days and
come to everything. People really do plan their time in Mangawhai around our events.” She is expecting the major acts to sell out, especially as prices are even lower this year, which she hopes will encourage more people to attend more than one show. They range from free entry, to $5 or $10, or around $40 to $50 for the headline acts. “I’ve involved as many local bands as I can but I’ve managed to get a few more this year as support acts to give them the exposure I think they deserve,” says Gillian. There are plenty more gigs to look forward to later in January and February, including hugely popular local band Tempis Fujit supporting Tahuna Breaks on January 25, and a “Sounds like Waitangi Day” festival on February 6 that will feature Kiwi favourites the Greg Johnson band, Andrew Fagan and Peter Urlich, among others. “Sounds of Waitangi Day” is a new initiative and Gillian is hoping to make it an annual event. “That’s only going to be $40 a ticket and free for children under 12. It starts at 3pm and goes until 9pm.”
Recreational retail at its eccentric best
Frog Pool Farm lamps • furniture • gifts
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Phone 425 9030 • Dome Valley 5 minutes past Warkworth on SH1
r e m m u S T GUIDE N E M N I A T ENTER
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 31 9
MATAKANA ENTERTAINMENT
Homegrown heavyweights heading for Matakana Two of New Zealand’s favourite bands, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Shapeshifter, are teaming up to headline a new festival at Matakana in January. The event, which has been dubbed “Matakanaval”, will be held at Matakana Country Park on January 2 and will also feature multi-instrumental futurists Olmecha Supreme and worlds-colliding fusionists Weird Together. Fat Freddy’s and Shapeshifter both celebrated big successes this year with the release of their respective new albums Blackbird, and Delta. They have also both been touring overseas. However, the two homegrown heavyweights haven’t shared a stage since 2007 at The Big Drop, the New Year’s Eve party that rocked Shed 1 on the Wellington waterfront. Fat Freddy’s kicked off their Summer Detour in Christchurch on Friday December 6. Publicist Lisa Paris says the first night went off with a “big sweaty bang”. Saxophonist Scott Towers says Fat Freddy’s loves playing Matakana. “It’s close enough to Auckland that we always get a great crew of party people coming up for the show, but at the same time it’s off that mainstream grid a bit. “The whole area moves to it’s own sun-
Fat Freddy’s Drop has recently returned from an epic tour of Europe and Australia.
soaked beat — it’s a bit like playing in the Mediterranean to be honest.” The timing is also fortuitous, coming hard on the heels of New Year’s Eve, he says. “Everyone will have had a decent warm-up for what will be the party of the summer. It’s the perfect time to play one of our favourite summer spots.” Shuttles will be running to and
from the Omaha Surf Club every 15 minutes from 4.30-6.30pm, for the event. Shuttles will return to Omaha at 11pm. The cost will be $5 to be paid on the night. Shuttles will also be coming from Auckland, and overnight camping will be available at a nearby site. Tickets for the event are available from Ticketmaster and the Warkworth iSite.
Ticket giveaway Mahurangi Matters has three double tickets to Matakanaval to give away. We also have three copies of Blackbird, the latest platinum album by Fat Freddy’s Drop. To enter, send us a private message marked “Matakanaval” or “Blackbird” on our Facebook page. Competition closes on December 27. Merry Christmas!
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32 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
tival Entertainment es F ar Ye w Ne & as tm is hr C
December
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Waipu band Alien Weaponry.
DEC 26 MT EDEN - w’ STATE OF MIND - DICK JOHNSON PLEASE PLEASE - DIAZ GRIMM DOORS OPEN 7.00PM tickets - $49.00
DEC 27 GUY SEBASTIAN - w’ MORE FM BREAKFAST DJ STU TOLAN DOORS OPEN 7.00PM - tickets $67.50
DEC 28 YEBIISU w’ FAT MAN 8.30PM
ENTRY $10.00 or free to MT VIP Card members
DEC 29 KURFEW - 8.30PM
ENTRY $5.00 - free to MT VIP Card members
DEC 30 CREEDANCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL TRIBUTE 8.30PM ENTRY $10.00
DEC 31 THE FEELERS - w’ LIGHTNING ON ME - THE GOODS - DJ DOORS OPEN 7.00PM - TICKETS $40.00
JAN 1
January
THE DAMAGE - ON THE DECK 4.00PM - FREE ENTRY MANGAWHAI TAVERN WET T-SHIRT COMPETITION 4.30PM
Heavy metal tour by locals
GO NOMADA - FROM AUSTRALIA - 8.30PM
Some of Mahurangi’s most talented young musicians are banding together for a small summer tour in January. The Brutal Beach Tour will visit Matakana, Waipu and Mangawhai, and follows the huge success of heavy metal workshops that were held earlier this year for local musicians aged 10 to 16. Known as the Anvil Project, bands involved include Alien Weaponry from Waipu, who came third in this
HOT SPIT ROAST ON THE DECK FROM 4.00PM
JAN 2
CURE MOTEL - DJ ROMANTECH - EMU BEATS - ENTRY $5.00
JAN 3 JAN 4 JAN 5
KATCHAFIRE & KORA - DOORS OPEN 7.00PM - TICKETS $50.00 HIPSHOOTERS - FROM AUSTRALIA - 8.30PM - ENTRY $5.00 BRUTAL BEACH TOUR - 7.00PM
ALIEN WEAPONRY - OURSELVES ALONE - JACKAL - ENTRY $5.00
JAN 11 OCEANIA STORM - 8.30PM
ENTRY $10.00 - free to MT VIP card members
JAN 12 THE DAMAGE - ON THE DECK FROM 4.00PM - free entry JAN 18 CORNERSTONE ROOTS - 8.30PM - PRESALE TICKETS $20.00 JAN 25 CORONA BEACH PARTY W’ TAHUNA BREAKS
TEMPIST FUJIT & THE GOODS - DOORS OPEN 7.00PM - TICKETS $10.00
year’s Smokefree Rockquest regional final. Drummer Henry de Jong, who is only 13, also won the musicianship award for the Northland region, and he and his 11-year-old brother Lewis also took out the lyric writers award. Other bands include Jackal, Ourselves Alone, Ivengeance and Katastrophic. The bands will play at Matakana Hall on January 3, Waipu Coronation Hall on January 4, and Mangawhai Tavern on January 5. There will be a $5 door charge and all ages are welcome.
JAN 26 LESS THE HARP - ON THE DECK FROM 4.00PM - FREE ENTRY HOT SPIT ROAST FROM 4.00PM
February FEB 1
THE GOODS - 8.30PM - FREE ENTRY
FEB 6
‘SOUNDS LIKE WAITANGI’ - DAY FESTIVAL - FROM 3.00PM
GREG JOHNSON BAND - ANDREW FAGAN & THE PEOPLE PETER URLICH DJ - LISA CRAWLEY - DELETE DELETE SHOW ME WHERE IT HURTS - TEMPIST FUJIT
PLUS CLASSIC & HOT ROD CARS ON SHOW
HOT SPIT ROAST FROM 4.00PM & MORE TICKETS $40.00 - FAMILY SPECIAL UNDER 12 FREE
Tickets for all events available at the tavern 431 4505 • gillianhouser@mangawhaitavern.co.nz
ESTUARY BISTRO OPEN 7 DAYS – 7 NIGHTS BREAKFAST- LUNCH - DINNER – ON THE DECK OVERLOOKING THE ESTUARY THE ONLY WATERFRONT VENUE IN MANGAWHAI
MEALS FROM $12.50 - CHILDREN $8 Italian Woodfired Pizzas - Tavern Burgers Fresh Fish Our Specialty
Takeaways on all menu items
Courtesy Vehicle Service Phone 431 4505
30
Established NZ 1973
%
OFF
ALL PURCHASES FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON FOR DECEMBER & JANUARY Serving the community for over 25 years
Neville Street, Warkworth | Phone 09 425 7404 (along from Countdown, opp Mahurangi Matters)
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Leigh Sawmill 29JAN_9:30-late 15 presales on eventfinder..nczo Knights of the Dub Table are renowned for their live shows.
Knights of the Dub Table return for summer show Regular visitors Knights of the Dub Table will be returning to the Leigh Sawmill this summer for a show on January 29. Crowds should expect a dynamic and polished live show with driving rhythm, electro base riffs, punchy horns, high energy vocals and three-part harmonies. The experimental electro soundscape of the band’s sound has been tailored with a live audience in mind and frontman Reti Hedley says the goal is always to take the audience on a musical journey.
“Performing is such a rewarding and important aspect of music. So we work very hard on fine-tuning our live show and creating a dynamic and interesting live journey,” says Reti. “Many of our tunes are specifically written and or remixed for the live arena.” The Waikato-based music collective has just released a new single, Alleviate. It’s the group’s first musical release since their debut album Way of the Dub in November 2011. Info: Tickets are available from www.eventfinder.co.nz
Merry Christmas to all Outdoor & Marine customers We will be open most weekdays during Christmas, but will be closed for the statutory holidays.
OUTDOOR & MARINE SMALL ENGINE SPECIALISTS 126 Rodney Street • Wellsford • Ph: 09 423 8182
20 door sales FOR TICKETS + MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT www.EVENTFINDER.co.NZ
I
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34 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
GREAT SUMMER
ART EXHBTION
Snells Beach Community Centre Hamatana Road, Snells Beach
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Preview Evening Sat 28th Dec, 7pm – Admission $10
Exhibition Opening hours: Sun 29th Dec - Thurs 2nd Jan, 9.30am - 4.30pm Fri 3rd Jan, 9.30am - noon Cafe open Daily
New Zealandʼs Sheep and Wool Centre A great family day out Whatever the weather
• Sheep and Dog Shows daily at 11am and 2pm, plus lots more! • Cafe and shop onsite. Open daily 9am to 5pm.
Phone 425 7444 • www.sheepworldfarm.co.nz
50 mins from Central Auckland (4kms north of Warkworth on SH1)
THE
Salty Dog INN In the heart of the Matakana Coast
242 Mahurangi East Road Snells Beach P. +64 9 425 5588 E. reservation@saltydoginn.co.nz W. www.saltydoginn.co.nz
Salty Dog Inn Gig Guide DECEMBER DEC 28 GISH $20 Early Ticket • $25 on the day DEC 31 New Years Eve – DOUBLE VISION JANUARY JAN 4 2'S A CROWD JAN 11 RUFF COPY DUO JAN 17 BRENDAN CHASE AS ELVIS JAN 24 PASSION FEBRUARY FEB 7 KARAOKE FEB 14 SAXMAN
Algies Bay artist Wyn Thomas with his painting of the Team New Zealand catamaran in San Francisco Bay.
Art expo clocks up 20 years The Snells Beach Great Summer Art Exhibition has reached its 20th anniversary and daily spot prizes will be handed out to celebrate. The annual Mahurangi East Tennis Home Plus Rodney are sponsoring Club fundraiser will be held from intermediate prizes while Summerset Sunday December 29 to January 3. Falls Retirement Village and North Last year it attracted 125 artists, 375 Harbour Concrete Cutters and Drillers paintings and 400 visitors. It was Ltd are sponsoring novice prizes. The started by Norma and Graeme Miller Judges Encouragement Prize is being and Gerry and Evelyn Brown of Snells supported by Visique Optometrists, and Beach following a suggestion by Warkworth Picture Framers are helping with the People’s Choice Award. Warkworth painter Hugh Brading. “Most years we’ve made between A preview will be held on December $10,000 and $15,000,” Norma says. 28 at 7pm with the $10 entry fee “It’s the tennis club’s main fundraiser including wine and nibbles. The of the year. We’ve astroturfed the proceeds of this year’s event will go courts, built three more, put up lights towards resurfacing the top courts. and upgraded the pavilion.” Café Ace will be run by Gitte Dibley Paintings cost between $60 and $1500 and includes homemade baking and and unlike mainstream art galleries sandwiches. that retain up to 40 percent of a Photos, pottery, woodcarving, painting’s cost, the tennis club only jewellery, cards and mixed media will keeps 20 percent. also be on display. Hugh, who has exhibited every year Algies Bay acrylic artist Wyn Thomas and is judging this year, says the will exhibit his painting of the Team exhibition’s success was due to the fact New Zealand yacht in San Francisco it was run by organisers, not artists. Bay. It took him 40 hours to paint. He “Artists have lots of rules about what was a judge two years ago and this will should be exhibited and how, but be his fifth year exhibiting. organising people don’t have those sets The former engineer says his daughter of hard rules.” uploaded a copy of the painting to He says he recommends the exhibition Facebook and he received 10,500 hits to his colleagues and “the next thing on his website that day. “I don’t paint they’ve got paintings hanging there to sell, I paint because I want to paint. It’s my hobby and it keeps me sane.” and they’re back year after year”. Sponsorship coordinator Jan Hooton Wyn says the exhibition is becoming says Bayleys Real Estate is sponsoring more sophisticated. “There’s better easels professional prizes up to the value of for painters and better moveable walls. $1750. Withers and Co accountants, Gloves are worn to hang the paintings. Design and Landscape Ltd and It’s becoming more professional.”
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Brendhan Lovegrove has been described as “the most dangerously talented standup comedian” in the country.
Summertime BBQ Dining Friday & Saturday Nights from 4pm n for a Offer your suggestioand go into the rience CASUAL Dining expe
ONE DRAW TO BE ICKED SP OF 5 FAMILIE ESTERS TO BE OUR T drink) (includes food and the cafe or
The Farmhouse Cafe for updates
n in the box at Place your suggestio n36@gmail.com email to danielre
OPEN 7 DAYS
Comedy stars sign up for another night at Sawmill One of New Zealand’s top comedians is headlining a live comedy night at the Leigh Sawmill on Thursday January 9. Brendhan Lovegrove has appeared on numerous local TV programmes, including all eight series of Pulp Comedy TV, and has been named Male Comedian of the Year four times. He has spent years performing professionally in the UK and was recently awarded Best International Comedian at a festival in Jakarta. Lovegrove will appear at the Sawmill with Auckland-based newcomer Pax Assadi. Snells Beach mechanic Adrian Sutton, who has organised the event, says Assadi — who claims to be the funniest halfIranian and half-Pakistani comedian in New Zealand — is one of the more exciting up-and-comers around. “He’s quite different and quite a good mix from the other two.” MC will be Andrew Clay, a veteran comedian who helped to pioneer live
comedy in New Zealand. The former Radio Hauraki pirate, playwright and Shortland Street actor cut his teeth in Australia, before there was even a professional circuit in New Zealand. It is the fourth in the Comedy Capers series to be held at the Sawmill. Adrian says he was keen to organise another show, after getting such good feedback about the first three. “People have really been impressed with the quality of the shows,” he says. “Next year, based on what response we get from people, we might start trying to do it bi-monthly.” Tickets are available from Eventfinder, $20 for presales, $25 on the door.
FULLY LICENSED OR BYO (CHARGES WILL APPLY)
PHONE 09 425 9940 • OPEN EVERYDAY RIVER VIEW PLAZA, 4 KAPANUI STREET, WARKWORTH
TASTE Merry Xmas
‘Tis the season to be baking! Perfect Xmas Cakes Round or Square. Take your pick.
Xmas mince pie pans
Ticket giveaway Mahurangi Matters has a double pass to Comedy Capers to give away. To enter, send us a private message marked “Comedy” on our Facebook page. Competition closes on December 27. Merry Christmas!
In stock now. Don’t miss out!
Beautiful Jam Rolls
Just like Grandma used to bake!
Boozy Xmas Pudding? Then you’ll need one of these.
HORSE RIDING WARKWORTH • Quiet horses and ponies • Farm & Forest treks • Birthday rides • Lessons available • Social or family groups • English study tour groups • Holiday and weekend horse riding camps • People with disabilities welcome • On the doorstep of Sheepworld, Matakana and Goat Island
42 Kaipara Flats Road
Email: horseriding@xtra.co.nz
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
1 hour ........ $45 2 hours ...... $80 No eftpos or credit cards Gift vouchers available
Phone 09 425 8517
Google: horse riding warkworth
16 Mill Lane, Warkworth • 425 0302 Email: info@tastematakana.co.nz
www.tastematakana.co.nz
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WAIPU ENTERTAINMENT
Waipu ready to host Highland celebrations Wearable Art
A line-up of pipers, drummers, dancers and caber tossers, all dressed in tartan, can mean only one thing – it’s time again for the annual Waipu Caledonian Highland Games. The New Year’s Day event will be officially opened by the Mayor of Whangarei, Maurice Cutforth, and more than 3000 visitors are expected to converge on the village to indulge in all things Scottish. It is the largest Highland Games in NZ and is in its 143rd year. The programme will include free Scottish country dancing lessons, the Tartan in the Park fashion show and numerous athletic events. New this year will be the Mighty Tug O War which will be held about 3pm in front of the main public stands. The heavyweight championship is always a drawcard with Pat Hellier taking out the title for the past 15 years in a row. Each Clan Society attending will have a tent in the Avenue of the Clans where members of the public can talk about their genealogy and learn about the history of the clan they are connected to. Additionally, the Waipu informal Genealogy Group and the Whangarei Family History Computer Group tents will have information available
Whether you’re watching or participating, there’s something for everyone at the Waipu Games.
on tracing family heritage. Other events include a fiddling competition, piping, drumming, athletics and the Clans Parade. The day will wind-up with a Ceilidh in the evening with the Twisty Willow Band. The Lions will provide hot food, drinks and ice-creams, with much of the food having a Scottish flavour.
An organiser, Annie Dawn, says putting on the event requires an army of volunteers, as well as the support of sponsors. “We really appreciate what they do and say a huge thank-you to them all.” The gates open at 8.30am and the March of the Clans will be led by the Waipu Pipe Band.
doubles in size The success of Waipu Museum’s Art n Tartan Wearable Art Awards has prompted another town to stage a similar event. Roxburgh, in Central Otago, plans to hold its own Wearable Tartan Art Awards during “Scottish Week” in the town in September, and is encouraging Waipu entrants to submit to both events. The Waipu organising committee has provided advice, assistance and even three entries from previous Waipu shows to Roxburgh organiser Trudi Marsh. The entries were used as inspiration at Roxburgh’s recent launch. Waipu entrants are being urged to start planning their outfits over the summer months, and to think about entering the Roxburgh event as well. The Waipu show will take place in June, and entries close on May 2. Info: For enquiries about the Otago event, contact Trudi Marsh on 03 4466704, or Teresa Bennetts on 03 4468158, or Toni Birtles on 03 4468492. For Waipu, contact Waipu Museum on 09 4320746 or artntartan@gmail.com.
Local Wins Harcourts Scholarship
Sam Duncan Sam Duncan Tandem Realty Ltd Tandem Warkworth Realty Ltd Warkworth 21 Queen St 21 Queen St P 09 973 3924 MP021 09 446 973 919 3924 M 021 446 919 E sam.duncan@harcourts.co.nz E sam.duncan@harcourts.co.nz W www.harcourts.co.nz W www.harcourts.co.nz
I’ve spent all my life growing up and working in Warkworth and (with a brand new family) I am committed to the area for the long haul. Winning the scholarship has enabled me to take advantage of the outstanding training an on-going support from the leading Harcourts Academy. I’m excited to begin my real estate career with Harcourts, to work with the great team we have an I’m committed to bringing people and property together through exceptional service with honesty and integrity – Sam Duncan
Licensed Agent REAA 2008
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Solo PiPing & Drumming HigHlanD Dancing - 2 BoarDS ScottiSh country Dancing • clan SocietieS genealogy / Family hiStory athleticS For all ageS • maSSeD BanD ParaDe FiDDling comPetition tartan in the Park FaShion comPetition Fun For the whole Family ... PLUS LOTS MORE
Games beGin at 9am with the marchinG in of the bands and clans
Adult $15 • Family Pass $35 (2 adults & 2 children) Under 15 – $5 • Under 5 – FREE
waipugames.co.nz
4
2014
143rd WAIPU HIGHLAND GAMES
JANUARY 1ST Games Host Clan Campbell • Games Info 09 432 2509
Caledonian Park Waipu
Licensed
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Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 37 15
WARKWORTH A&P SHOW
A&P Show gives wannabe racers a taste of Bathurst V8 supercar enthusiasts will have the chance to race three laps of Mount Panorama at the Bayleys Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show next month. Ken Subritzsky’s car simulator, billed as the biggest new Playstation around, will be one of the new attractions at the show on Saturday January 25. TV personality Te Radar will be back as the guest compere bringing his own brand of country humour and there will be live music throughout the day featuring bands such as Otherwise Fine and Captain Snappy, and a dance and cheerleading demonstration. The trade section will have a new layout and organisers are also introducing a produce and cottage industry market area. The traditional show drawcards will also be there including the beef and dairy cattle section, alpaca and goat section, the indoor section, children’s activities and the show princess and pirates, dog trials, sheep racing, vintage and racing cars, wood chopping and sheep shearing. There will be demonstration of heritage blade shearing and spinning in the early afternoon. The line-up of sideshow attractions includes the Mega Slide and merrygo-rounds, paintballs, tugs-of-war and
The Warkworth A&P Show offers entertainment for all ages.
the big crocodile. The Mystical Haven Mobile Farm Park will give children the chance to get close to animals they might otherwise rarely see. The two-day equestrian event, which runs in conjunction with the show, will wind up on Sunday, January 26. *The organisers of Warkworth’s Home
Body and Beauty market are setting up another market at the A&P show. Kathy Roscoe and Brenda Howson say the space called Market Lane will be “full of the fantastic talent and creativity that abounds in our rural areas.” Items include designer kids clothing,
Super Summer Styles for the 40+ Woman
alpaca wool, homemade holistic products, jewellery, mosaics, stationary, skincare, soaps and fair trade designer adult wear. If anyone is interested in having a stall, please contact Brenda on 4256543 or Kathy on 021577789 or try warkworthmarket@gmail.com
Art Gallery
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Frances Hansen, Scott McFarlane, Virginia Leonard, Mandy Thomsett-Taylor, Mike Petre, Regan Gentry, John Oxborough, Kirsten Roberts, Louise McRae, Mark Lewington, Garry Currin, The Vivian, Gerda Leenards, John Haines, Glen Hayward, Barry Lett, Cliff McPherson, Vicki Fanning, Neal Palmer, Valerie Pendred, Madeleine Child and Philip Jarvis.
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7th December to 14th January 2014
39 Omaha Valley Road, Matakana, RD5, Warkworth 0985, New Zealand Phone +64 9 422 9995 Email thevivian@thevivian.co.nz www.thevivian.co.nz OPEN: Daily 11.00am - 5.00pm or by appointment
38 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
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MANY THANKS and
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MERRY CHRISTMAS
TO A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY of volunteers, donors and supporters
DEC to
6 JAN
Christmas lights at 31 Ashmore Cres (off Melwood Drive) Warkworth Throughout December until 6 January ● Donations to Hospice
JAN
1& 2
P ICK Y OUR OWN 1st & 2nd JANUARY 9am - 2pm
POINT WELLS RD follow the signs from Matakana Fundraiser for Warkworth Wellsford Hospice with thanks to Omaha Strawberries
art exhibition
JAN
ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND 23-27 Matakana School Hall
Preview Thursday 23 January 2014 from 6pm Open all weekend 12pm Friday to 12pm Monday
Don’t miss our summer events! www.warkworthwellsfordhospice.co.nz ● (09) 425 9535
Seneti Makasini and Mowa Awell are among dozens of seasonal workers who come to Omaha each year to support their families in Tonga and Vanuatu.
Pick-your-own strawberries to raise money for hospice Omaha Strawberries is opening its fields to the public on January 1 and 2, as a special fundraiser for Warkworth Wellsford Hospice. Its fields on Point Wells Road will be open from 9am to 2pm on the two public holidays for those prepared to pick their own, at the bargain price of just $5 a kilo. You will need to bring your own container, and eftpos will be available. The strawberries will have had a week to ripen and grower John Greensmith says the plants should be laden with as much as five tonnes of fat, juicy fruit. John and his wife Sally, who own Fresh Food Exports Ltd, have been supporting Warkworth Wellsford Hospice for years with regular donations of persimmons to sell in the Warkworth Hospice Shop. Although its workers will be on holiday, some are giving their time to help with the fundraiser in appreciation of the support that hospice gives them and their families. A large percentage of Fresh Food Exports’ pickers and packers come from Tonga and Vanuatu under the RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) policy, which allows for temporary entry of overseas workers to work for horticulturists and winegrowers. Each year, John and Sally’s Pacific Island workers fill one or two containers with goods to send home to their villages. They include items bought from local businesses and second-hand furniture purchased from Warkworth Wellsford Hospice. The hospice also gives the families clothing and utensils that are considered unlikely to sell in the
hospice shops or garage sales. Fresh Food Exports was the first Auckland business to join the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme in 2007, and many of its workers have now been coming for several years. Mowa Awell has been coming to work at Omaha since the RSE scheme began in 2007 and is now one of three packhouse supervisors. He says his wife Annie and his 12-year-old son and six-year-old daughter have become used to his unusual work schedule and he would struggle to support them without his New Zealand job. Unemployment in Vanuatu is at about 60 per cent and wages are low – a carpenter earns about $70 a week. With his New Zealand wages Mowa has been able to move his family into a house with a flush toilet and establish his own produce business. He now owns two blocks of land and two vans. “Last year I started to build a house and maybe this year I will go back and finish it,” he says. Twenty-seven-year-old Seneti Makasini, also a packhouse supervisor, has been coming from Tonga to work in Omaha since 2009. Her parents also work there and are now New Zealand residents. Unlike most RSE workers who live on-site in accommodation provided by their employer, they live in Warkworth. Seneti’s wages help support family who live in Tonga, including paying the school fees for her younger brother. “In Tonga it is very hard to find a job,” Seneti says. “Sometimes you can get a job but what they pay you isn’t enough to pay your expenses.”
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 23 39
History
with Lyn Johnston, Albertland Museum
Mission Station Christmas
www.albertland.co.nz
Rev William Gittos was a renowned Kaipara missionary. First stationed at Waingohi, he and his family moved to Otamatea not long after the Albertlanders arrived in Port Albert. An old scrapbook from the Brookes collection contains interesting newspaper clippings and among them are some columns written for younger readers by Rev Gittos’ wife, Marianne. Unfortunately I don’t know which papers they were published in. The following article (abridged) was written in late December 1890 or January 1891. My Dear Young Friends, By the time this reaches you it will be too late to wish you a Merry Christmas. When we were very little children and lived among the Maori, we used to get up at daylight on Christmas morning and go into the forest just behind our house, where we found all sorts of beautiful flowers and ferns, and we used to come home laden with bunches with which we decorated our house and the church. At first the older Maoris used to laugh, and ask us what we did it for. They said it was ota-ota (rubbish) but the young ones caught the idea and followed our example, and it is now quite general among them: and there are no young people more clever at forming pretty groups and festoons. I wish you could have seen our pretty church at Otamatea on Christmas Day. The little boys would climb up to all sorts of impossible places and fasten up bunches of the Christmas flowers and their eyes would twinkle with delight when they heard us asking whoever could it be who had been up there. Oh, those little Maori boys can climb! We always had service on Christmas Day and everybody came dressed in their best. The hymns and
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Kaiwaka picnickers outside the Church at Kakaraea, Otamatea in 1905. Photo: Marsh Collection, Albertland Heritage Centre.
lessons were all specially selected for the day, and of late years a Maori youth played the harmonium, and the children sang, and we had nice happy times, generally ending up with a tea meeting at night. Then we used to have our watch-night [New Year’s Eve]. I think this is one of the very best services we have. I can remember them when I was a tiny child, and as soon as one was past I used to begin to wish for the next; and a whole year seemed such a long time to wait. When we lived in a lonely place, and we could not get to church and Mr Gittos was away at some distant place, I have waited alone, and when the time came I used to play and sing the old hymn we all love so much, ‘Come and let us anew our journey pursue.’ You
see I used to say ‘us’ – though Mr Gittos was a long way off, I knew what he was thinking about just then. My thoughts would wander back to the old times when we were young folks and used to go to the chapel in High Street (Auckland) and hear some of the missionaries from the Islands, who came here in search of health and rest. But we must not dwell too long on the past; we are to ‘act for the living present’ so I wish you all a very Happy New Year. With many wishes for your happiness and advance in all that is ‘lovely and of good report.’
Correction – to my last column about dairying: the Te Hana Dairy Factory closed in 1973, not 1987. Thanks to Ken Allen for the information.
40 24 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
sweet appreciation
WG
arkworth lass & lazing Have a safe & Happy Christmas
Open over Christmas On call from 6th-17th Jan
20 Glenmore Dr, Warkworth 425 8678 • 021 952 077
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This issue’s recipient of a gift basket of chocolates from Chocolate Brown is Robyn Charlton of Mahurangi West, who was nominated by Anna Dangerfield. Anna writes: I would like to nominate our wonderful neighbours Robyn and Stuart Charlton. They are both very community-minded. Stu is continually planning and organising the renovations on our wonderful local Mahurangi West Hall, sourcing materials and carrying out the work with a team of local craftsman. Robyn, despite being a busy mother of three young children and working as a health professional, dropped everything recently to help our family at a time of need. We represent the many families in Mahurangi West who would like to thank Robyn and Stu for the way they enhance and help in our community.
Know someone who deserves a big “thank you” for their community spirit? Tell us and they will receive acknowledgement in Mahurangi Matters and an amazing hamper from Chocolate Brown, 6 Mill Lane, Warkworth. Send your nominations to editor@localmatters.co.nz (subject line: Sweet Appreciation) or post to: Sweet Appreciation, Mahurangi Matters, PO Box 701, Warkworth.
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Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 25 41
Barfoots supports Lifeway
HOMEBUILDERS FAMILY SERVICES 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth • Phone 425 7048
HOMEBUILDERS HOLIDAY HOURS The Family Centre will be closed from 12noon on Tuesday, 24 December and re-open on Monday, 6 January. Our answerphone will be regularly checked for urgent messages during that break. Our Op Shop will be closed from 1pm on Friday, 20 December and will re-open on Monday, 13 January 2014.
E Tika Barfoot and Thompson Warkworth have donated five computers and a leather couch to Lifeway Homes, a Christian organisation that runs three residential homes for the intellectually disabled. The photo was taken at a home at Pound Street in Warkworth and shows Barfoot agents Stacey Gordon (rear third from left) and Peter Bailey (next to her) with residents and support worker Lynda Blennerhassett from Lifeway Homes.
od. All is go
Animation company strikes deal Snells Beach based animators Huhu Studios are offering exclusive internships to digital media school graduates from neighbouring Lifeway College. The company has produced a variety of Christian-themed films, including The Ten Commandments and Noah. It also produced a series about two huhu beetles called Buzz and Poppy that screened on TV2 for several years and sold to over 50 countries. Graduates from the Christian-based college will receive on-the-job training working alongside experienced staff on international projects. Huhu Studios’ chief financial officer and head of business affairs, Henry
Wong, says Lifeway students have passion, drive and enthusiasm and that is what Huhu is looking for. He says by undertaking an internship students will gain valuable experience while studying, giving them an advantage in a competitive market. Director Bill Boyce says Huhu Studios is pleased to resume its internship programme with Lifeway Digital Media School. “Many of our current crew members are here after originally joining us on an internship. It’s great to be able to offer the latest crop of graduates an opportunity to get a foot in the door here. I have no doubt many of them will be with us for a long time to come.”
Ana!
All is a s it
should be.
Hire • SUP • SUrf • APPArel • BeAcH StUff
Book your tours or lessons today. 09 422 7873 | 027 526 0524 | 989 MAtAkAnA roAd www.matakanaSUP.co.nz | info@matakanaSUP.co.nz FEBRUARY 2014 INTAKE - PUHOI & ALBANY - APPLY NOW
Fire restrictions in place
The restricted fire season began on December 1, meaning open air fires in any rural area need to have a permit from Auckland Council. Principal Rural Fire Officer Bryan Cartelle says it’s important fires are controlled and supervised at all times as the costs involved in putting out fires may be passed on to the person responsible. For more information on the different levels of fire restrictions or other fire-related queries visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz ‘rural fire’ or call 09 301 0101.
PAINTING JEWELLERY SCULPTURE
PANELBEATERS FOR ALL YOUR PANELBEATING REQUIREMENTS Closed 23rd to 27th Dec • Open from 30th Dec
“Safe travels through the festive season”
FREE QUOTES & COURTESY CAR
20 GLENMORE DRIVE, WARKWORTH 09 425 8070 • 021 179 2744
CERAMICS
HUNGRY CREEK
ART & CRAFT SCHOOL
www.hungrycreek.ac.nz
09 4220752
NZQA Reg
42 26 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
localbusiness
INTR ODUCING n
INTR ODUCING n
Pita Pit
Ask James
You might not realise it, but Levin Huang hopes you might have a “boom moment” when you visit his store. “It means you have experienced excellent customer service,” he explains. The owner of Warkworth’s latest food outlet is relieved to finally have his doors open, nearly a year after he first decided to bring Pita Pit to Warkworth. The former pharmacy technician decided to make the leap from pills to pita bread because he wanted to be his own boss. After investigating various franchise opportunities, he decided on Pita Pit, as he was impressed with its emphasis on healthy, fresh food. “The food quality here is very high,” he says. “Everything is fresh every day. Anything we don’t use, we throw out.” There are now 54 Pita Pits throughout New Zealand, and the chain is continuing to grow. Levin admits the past few weeks have been fairly arduous setting up the store, next to Countdown in Neville St. After weeks of 16-hour days, training staff and getting the store ready, it finally opened its doors on December 4. The first week was “extremely busy” and he believes Warkworth will embrace a new food option.
If you’ve ever fancied having your own butler, then a new business in the Mahurangi area may have what you’re looking for. Ask James is a lifestyle concierge service run by James Nicholls, who recently moved to Tawharanui with his partner Sophie Reid. James explains that lifestyle concierge covers a myriad of home help activities, from gardening and house cleaning to childcare, running errands, helping with home entertaining and managing special events. “Although it’s a bit of a new concept for NZ, lifestyle concierge services are not uncommon in the UK and US,” he says. “What’s the point of coming up for a weekend at Omaha, for instance, if the effort to get there leaves you exhausted? How much better would it be to arrive to find the fridge and pantry stocked, freshly laundered sheets on the beds, flowers in a vase and dinner on the table?” Born in the UK and raised on Auckland’s North Shore, James’ first vocation was early childhood education. “I loved working with kids but I found it a challenge not being able to do more for families who were struggling or having issues. Part of the job was
Levin Huang
Levin emigrated to New Zealand with his family from China 10 years ago, and now lives in Albany with his wife and child. He is happy to commute to Warkworth each day, and says he chose the Mahurangi area because of its “famous views” and its steady traffic. He plans to be behind the counter for as long as necessary, which is likely to mean seven days a week over summer. “It’s okay — my wife understands,” he insists. The store is open from 9am to 9pm weekdays, and from 10am to 8pm at weekends, and Levin has employed 12 staff to help him out, most of whom are locals. “I just want to do my best and help people,” he says.
James Nicholls
not allowing yourself to care too much and I found that really hard.” After a stint in sales with Konica Minolta, he spent five years as a marketing executive with Paramount Pictures NZ, which sometimes involved hosting industry visitors from overseas. It taught him to anticipate what people need to make their stay enjoyable and he also learned about discretion and confidentiality. “This job suits me to a ‘T’ because it’s about helping people, there’s plenty of variety and I get to cook – all the things that I love.”
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 35 43 27
localbusiness G A M E G E A R CHANGING FACES n
Game Gear
WORKWEAR HO T
SP
ECIALS
FISHING
!
EAR G E M GA Y $25 L N O W SAL NO E $39
HUNTING GAMEGEAR T-SHIRTS
E
South Africans are so serious about fishing that there is a national fishing team called the Proteas, which competes against other countries. Given that New Zealanders are equally serious, it’s surprising we don’t have our own national team competing against Australia, says Game Gear’s new owner, Anthony Roberts. Anthony and his family moved from South Africa to Warkworth last April, and they have quickly settled into the local community. Having two sportsmad teenagers helps. The only downside is that because of the shop, Sundays are the only days he has free for fishing. Since taking over the store from previous owner Joel Dickson, who is moving to Te Puke, Anthony has made a few changes to the Game Gear range. He has a background in manufacturing high-quality fishing line, and has introduced the Tecni-Perline brand here. It is six times more abrasion-resistant than standard fishing line, he says. He is also keen to increase the workwear and tackle range. But one thing that definitely won’t change is the massive discounts it offers. “We trade as a factory outlet,” he explains. “So people should come in and grab a bargain, because once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
WER
Anthony Roberts
Over summer, he plans to open seven days a week, and he’ll also open at 7am for those who want early morning bait. He is also planning to introduce a new range of soft-head game lures in January. “They are the best in the world,” he says. In South Africa, he used to have to head out 50km to the edge of the continental shelf to be assured of a catch. In New Zealand, you don’t have to go so far, he enthuses, although he does enjoy heading out to the Mokohinau Islands, or Kawau or Flat Rock. “It’s a lot easier to fish here and feed your family,” he says. “I’m not sure that New Zealanders realise just how lucky they are.”
NEW R
ELEASE
ONLY
GAMEGEAR SINGLETS
FOR $50 3 R O A $20 E $39
$29
GAMEGEAR FLEECE TEES
E
WER
F R E E P H O N E 0 5 0 8 69 9 6 6 5
W W W. G A M E G E A R . C O . N Z
GAM E G E A R WORKWEAR
FISHING
HUNTING
HOLIDAY BAIT & TACKLE SALE
HOT SPECIAL
PILCHARDS $4.99 / 1KG
ACKETS J E F I L ALL FF O 30%
LARGE SELECTION
MASK &
L SET NORKE
S
9 $19.9
9.99 AY $3 P Y H W
ATH
E & SHE
KNIF FILLET
LLY BIN I H C T L 52 $199
9 $9.9
M A S S I V E S E L EC T I O N O F F I S H I N G TAC K L E I N STO R E O N LY W H I L E S T O C K S L A S T
0 9 4 25 79 9 0
•
24 BA X T E R ST R E E T, WA R KW O RT H
O P E N M O N - F R I 7 A M - 6 P M • S AT 7 A M - 4 P M • S U N 7 A M - 1 P M
44 28 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
localbusiness INTR ODUCING n
INTR ODUCING n
A Smart Repair
U Beauty
After years of living on the North Shore, Kevin Hewitt and his wife Jo decided last year they’d had enough of the Big Smoke. It took them a while to find a rural property that met their specific needs. But this year they finally found exactly what they were looking for at Wayby, south of Wellsford. The couple was already familiar with the area, as Jo’s parents live at Kaipara Flats. Jo also started up Revision Sewing Services in Warkworth just over a year ago. They moved to Wayby in June, and Kevin is now operating his appliance repair business from their 8ha block. Kevin has been servicing appliances for about 20 years, and now specialises in Fisher & Paykel washing machines, and Fisher & Paykel and Simpson driers. “The idea of specialising was to be able to fix people’s machines on the spot. I have all the parts with me, so I can get it done in one visit rather than having a look and going away and getting parts and all the rest of it,” he explains. He is willing to travel anywhere in the Rodney region, up to Maungaturoto, but is also happy to give an opinion over the phone.
The owner of the new beauty shop in Kaiwaka, Nicole Stonex, says it was the encouragement of her friends that finally made her take the plunge and open her own business. Although Nicole has more than 12 years’ beauty therapy experience, in the past she’s mainly worked for others. “After I qualified from Elite International, I worked in several different places including Queenstown for two years and the North Shore,” she says. “When I moved north, I did beauty therapy at Sheer Bliss in Warkworth.” But the arrival of three children in quick succession put an end to fulltime work, and for the past five years she’s been balancing home duties with Playcentre activities and seeing clients at home. “My children are at school now so, with the urging of friends, I decided to jump in the deep end and go into business for myself.” U Beauty is in the town centre, on the Kaiwaka Mangawhai Road, and offers waxing, eyelash tinting, Brazilians, manicures and pedicures, and deep tissue massage. Eventually, Nicole plans to introduce other services, including facials. “There’s a new energy in Kaiwaka at
“If the customer knows the age of the machine and the model, I can often tell them whether it’s worth going ahead, and save them the call-out fee.” He will also recommend when it’s time to ditch old appliances, and can help out with newer and reconditioned machines. Unlike most of his competitors, Kevin can usually offer a same-day service, as long as it’s not too late in the day when his customers call. “The idea is to get there quick, fix it quick, and be gone. And because I work from home and I don’t have huge overheads, I can keep my charges pretty reasonable.”
Specialist Repair of:
INTRODUCING
Nicole Stonex
Covering the Rodney Region
Gift Vouchers Available
SH1
Gibb o
ns R
d
LATE MODEL AND RECONDITIONED WASHERS AVAILABLE
Jaques 4 Square
Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Rd
Library WE ARE HERE
Public Toilets Kaiwaka Hall
CTORY DU
FER OF
Qualified Beautician
SAME DAY SERVICE
Quality service guaranteed Phone Kevin 423 9660 or 021 168 7349 Registered Electrical Service Technician
the moment, with new businesses opening and old buildings being revamped and renovated. It’s a really positive vibe. “One of the things I love about the town is that it’s a close-knit community. People are non-judgemental and you get pulled into things you’d never dreamed you’d be involved in. It’s an easy place to make friends.”
U Beauty
A SMART REPAIR F&P Smart Drive & Intuitive Washers Simpson and F&P Dryers
Nicole Stonex
INTR O
Kevin Hewitt
Manicure & Pedicure $
80
Please call Nicole for bookings
Phone 09 393 6336 Mobile 022 063 9450 4 Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Rd, Kaiwaka
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 29 45
n FAMILY H E ALTH & BE AU T Y
lifematters
Young cancer battler starts school Teens missing out on Point Wells youngster Emilie Johns is one of the faces fronting the Child Cancer Foundation’s Christmas appeal. The five-year-old was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia last year and is on a maintenance treatment until September next year. Her mum Kerri says Emilie is taking daily chemo pills, weekend antibiotics and having chemo once a month. “Every three months she has a lumber puncture and chemo is inserted into her spine.” Kerri says November wasn’t a good month for Emilie — she had liver issues and started losing hair — but December was “very good.” “She turned five and started school on December 2, then attended her first ballet concert with Warkworth dance school Dance Dimensions on Dec 14.” Emilie played a starring role of a little girl growing up in the production of Butterfly Kisses. Early childhood teacher Monique Jansen organised a black tie masquerade ball at The Stables restaurant in Matakana to raise funds for Emilie and her oncology ward at Starship Hospital in August. Mahurangi College student Ruby Garner also helped raise money by getting people to sponsor her to shave her hair off, and professional league player Sione Paea also organised a charity run from Orewa to Matakana. To help other young people with cancer, visit www. ccfxmas.co.nz and select a gift on the Christmas wish Emilie with her sisters, from left to right: Ella (10), list. Options include beads of courage, phone top- Chloe (8), Emilie (5) Photo, Sweet Events Photography ups, groceries and petrol for hospital visits. every of the year. Businesses, individuals and The Child Cancer Foundation offers support members of the public are invited to share the link services to children with cancer and their families through social media.
free dental service
Many teenagers in the Mahurangi region may be missing out on free dental care. The Waitemata District Health Board is urging everyone under the age of 18 to take advantage of the service. Corinna Wylie, the adolescent oral health regional coordinator, says only 73 percent of adolescents (from Year 9 until the age of 18) accessed the free dental care service last year and she would like to see that figure improve. “There are around 95,000 adolescents living within the greater Auckland area – meaning that around 25,000 are potentially not receiving the dental care they are entitled to. “Those who reach their eighteenth birthday will no longer be able to access free regular dental care so it’s important for them to take up this opportunity of free care while they can. The Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS) provides free dental care to all those under the age of 18 in the greater Auckland area. Pre-schoolers and school children attend school clinics, but once they move into Year 9, students are referred to dentists contracted to provide free dental care. These dentists operate either at their private clinics or at mobile clinics which visit secondary schools at regular intervals. However, not all schools have signed up for the mobile clinic visits. Ms Wylie says those under 18 not receiving an annual dental check-up should check with their family dentist as to whether they are registered ARDS free dental care providers, or call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) for a referral to someone who is.
SummerSet fallS – love the life! Great people make a great retirement village. Nowhere is that truer than at Summerset Falls. We have a warm and welcoming community where the greetings are friendly and the smiles are genuine. We’re here to enjoy life – whether it’s the organised activities or just getting together for a cup of tea and a chat. There are so many things to do here – but it’s always up to you which activities you choose to enjoy. For more information call Steven Garner on 09 425 1202. You’ll find Summerset Falls at 31 Mansel Drive, Warkworth.
46 30 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
beautiful skin is easier than ever
te la ch te no st log y
lifematters
FAMILY HEALTH & BEAUTY n
with EMERGE ™ fractional laser
EMERGE ™ can improve the appearance of: Fine lines and wrinkles Age and pigmented spots
Skin tone and texture Sun damage
RODNEY APPEARANCE MEDICINE
Phone 0800 4 277 633
FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Located in Warkworth
Skin and Cosmetic Specialist Associated with Northland Plastic Surgery
Warkworth Area Medical Centre Hours Christmas / New Year 2013/14 Warkworth Medical Centre
Kowhai Surgery
Christmas Eve
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-5pm 8am-5pm
Christmas Day
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
CLOSED CLOSED
December 26
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-12.30pm CLOSED
December 27
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-5pm 8am-5pm
December 28
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-12.30pm CLOSED
(09) 425 1199
December 29
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-12.30pm CLOSED
Medical Emergency Services are available everyday except Christmas Day.
December 30
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-8pm 8am-5pm
New Years Eve
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-5pm 8am-6pm
For direct connection to the duty clinic or the after hours Triage Service phone ....
New Years Day
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
CLOSED 8am-12.30pm
January 2
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
CLOSED 8am-12.30pm
January 3
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-5pm 8am-5pm
January 4
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-12.30pm CLOSED
January 5
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-12.30pm CLOSED
January 6
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-8pm 8am-5pm
January 7
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-5pm 8am-8pm
January 8
Warkworth Medical Centre Kowhai Surgery
8am-8pm 8am-5pm
11 Alnwick St Warkworth
SURGERY LTD
10 Percy St Warkworth
(09) 425 7358
Normal Surgery Hours resume Monday January 6th Snells Beach Medical Centre is open as usual 8am - 5pm EXCEPT on Public Holidays, Saturdays and Sundays
Ongoing resources scheme teacher Phil Hancock (front centre) with staff and students from Wellsford School.
Sensory room complete
Wellsford School’s new sensory room is up and running after help from the community. The facility cost $13,000 and provides electrician Tim Reid volunteered to a space for special education children. carry out the structural parts of the It includes a physical activity area project and the school support team to support the development of motor helped with painting. co-ordination, a kitchen for baking Phil says the project was completed and crafts, and sensory cubicle with very swiftly. He says the room will be black walls, UV lights and laser called the “key” room because when projectors for children prone to the original room was used for an sensory overload. autistic student, a key needed to be Teacher Phil Hancock says he created collected from the office each day. a design, formulated it into a proposal “We decided this was most appropriate and publicised it in the community to as a name, as the same student still help raise funds. regularly uses it.” More than $10,000 was donated, Phil says many special needs children, which he describes as “amazing.” particularly those with autism, have Sponsors included Winsome Ferrall difficulty processing everyday sensory and Senate Nursing, Robyn Morrow information such as sight, smells and and Doug Taylor and the Wellsford sound. “Sensory rooms create an Christian Fellowship. environment that supports calming Local builder Gary Marshall and and an interaction of those senses.”
Neuromuscular Massage Therapy • • • •
Muscle tension Stress/Anxiety Headaches/Migraines Back/shoulder/neck pain
• • • •
Bodywork for grief/trauma Jaw/face/scalp pain Temporomandibular disorders Voice fatique for singers/speakers
Wellbeing for the Body & Mind Madhu Chandra • Neuromuscular Therapist (BHS, Dip. CNMT) 25 Lilburn Street, Warkworth • Ph: 021 418 068 email: mchandra@slingshot.co.nz www.naturaltherapypages.co.nz/therapist/3612
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 31 47
FAMILY HEALTH & BEAUTY n
lifematters
Milford Eye Clinic Warkworth Branch
The dark side of Christmas By Quentin Jukes
As the Christmas period swoops down on us again, increased emotional and financial stress often come along for the ride. It’s unfortunate but not surprising that this time of year can also bring an increase in family violence too. Homebuilders Family Services strongly supports the “It’s not ok – but it’s ok to ask for help” campaign that the Wellsford community has taken on. Individually the challenge for each of us is to be courageous, and if we see something happening or feel things aren’t right, to ask “Are you ok?” We can all play a part in reducing family violence and making it easier for people to get the help they need. If someone in your life seems to be struggling, make the time to ask “Are you ok?” Asking this in a way that makes person feel cared for and not judged, will make it a lot easier for them to be honest. Knowing that a friend, family member or workmate is concerned when things aren’t going well for us, can be a real help. If someone is finding things hard, in-depth skilled support is available. We are incredibly lucky to have excellent community organisations offering this kind of support in the North Rodney area. They include: yy Hestia Rodney Womens Refuge provide a comprehensive family violence service for women and children. They have a 24-hour crisis line 0800 321361, safe house accommodation, community-based crisis advocacy and Maori community-based crisis advocacy and whanau support. Ph 425 0452. yy Te Korowai Aroha Pumau Inc provide whanau support, women and children’s safe house, supervised contact for parents, Hau ora tangata (men), Hau ora wahine (women) and He Toanga Te Mokopuna (children) individual and group programmes. Ph 423 9481. yy Abuse Prevention Services Inc offers educational programmes and counselling support for men, women, youth and children who have experienced or perpetrated family violence. Ph 425 8130. yy Victim Support provides emotional and practical support, information, financial assistance, referral to other support services and advocacy for victim’s rights. Ph 0800 842446. yy Homebuilders Family Services offers family support workers to assist with relationship and parenting issues, youth counselling and one-to-one children’s programmes, parenting and other courses, a disability information service and advocacy support when dealing with Work and Income, IRD etc. Ph 425 7048.
Affiliated Southern Cross Healthcare provider
• Dr Michael Fisk • Dr Brian Sloan • Dr Jo Koppens • Dr David Squirrell • Dr Rasha Altaie
Serving the eye needs of North Shore and Rodney for over 35 years Purpose-built eye consulting rooms in Warkworth. Surgery available at Rodney Surgical Centre or Shore Surgery, Milford, as appropriate. For your convenience consultations available at Milford, Red Beach and Warkworth.
• Milford Eye Clinic, 181 Shakespeare Road, Milford • Coastcare, Red Beach Shopping Centre, Red Beach • Warkworth, Unit 3, Warkworth Health Centre, Cnr Alnwick & Percy Streets, Warkworth
For all appointments phone 09 422 6871
A T W A RK W O R TH
Let our patients speak for themselves...
We provide care for: • Sports injuries • Acupuncture • Back and Neck care • Rehabilitation • Joint and Muscle pain or injury
OPE MONDN WEDNE AY S FRIDAYDAY 8AM-5P M
CLOSED DE & JAN 1C 25TH ST
Robyn Weston Dip Phty NZRP ACC Approved Provider
Early morning/evening appointments available No Doctor referral required
Top Level Matakana Cinema Complex 2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana 09 423 0295 • 0274 940 128 a/hrs
“I would like to thank you and the Board of Trustees for the donation that was made toward the cost of my cataract operation. My wife and I really appreciate that I was able to have the operation so quickly and that I am able to keep driving safely. Once again thank you all very much.” – Andrew Whitelaw
Why go to Auckland? Northlink Health Charitable Funding www.rodneysurgicalcentre.co.nz Orthopaedic Surgery • Arthroscopy • Removal of metalware Ophthalmology • Cataract surgery Gynaecology • Incontinence surgery
Plastic Surgery • Skin cancer surgery • Melanoma surgery • Cosmetic surgery • Hand surgery Endoscopy • Colonoscopies • Gastrosopies
General Surgery • Hernia repairs • Varicose veins • Haemorrhoidectomies • Lipoma removal • Breast biopsies • Carpal Tunnel
and much, much more ...
Phone +64 9 425 1190 or 0800 425 007 • Fax +64 9 425 0115 77 Morrison Drive, Warkworth • www.rodneysurgicalcentre.co.nz
48 32 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
lifematters
FAMILY HEALTH & BEAUTY n
Year 10s to learn about relationships
Secondary schools in Rodney and the students on healthy relationships. Called “Stand Up”, it has already been offered to girls at Mahurangi College, Kaipara College and Orewa College and was written by Hestia Rodney Women’s Refuge for schoolgirls. Te Rito Rodney Family Violence Prevention Project co-ordinator Diane Wilson Neville says the programme is being supported through Auckland Council’s community grant scheme and next year there will be lessons for girls and boys. The girls’ programme starts by focussing on “what is a healthy relationship?” It covers things like respect, trust, honesty and communication as well as providing an interactive day of roleplays and skits around healthy and unhealthy relationships. “They’re aimed to be both fun and thought-provoking and aren’t intended to be hard or in any way confrontational,” Diane says. Day two is a day-long workshop on selfprotection run by Phil Thompson from Protect Self Defence. “It gives them tools and skills to protect themselves if they are at risk of sexual violence.” The boys’ programme was developed after a request from boys in schools
Hibiscus Coast are being invited to run a two-day programme for Year 10 Coordinator of Te Rito Rodney Family Violence Prevention Project, Diane Wilson Neville.
where Stand Up was being delivered to girls. Diane says Hestia approached the Te Rito Rodney collaborative to take on the management of both programmes. The boys’ programme was written with help from the Men and Family Centre Helensville, Abuse Prevention Services and Homebuilders. It discusses male confrontation management and deals with things like recognition, avoidance and awareness of confrontation. It also teaches tools around de-escalation and avoiding violence.
Sally Wilson 09 425 8127 0274 977 745
Kathy Carter-Lee 09 425 6749 021 425 115
Sue Wynyard 09 425 8912 0274 934 491
Lydia Miller 09 425 7555 027 555 1629
Nicky Snedden 09 425 8249 021 662 393
Rebecca Hay 09 425 9805 027 453 6992
Louise McLaughlin 09 422 3750 027 242 8830 Photo, left-right, Sally Wilson, Sue Wynyard, Kathy Carter-Lee, Lydia Miller, Rebecca Hay, Louise McLaughlin, and Nicky Snedden.
Contact one of the midwives or the Warkworth Birthing Centre
09 425 8201 • www.warkworthbirthcentre.co.nz
S
EE CE FR VI R
SE
ARE YOU PREGNANT?
Our ur experienced midwives will care for you from conception to 6 weeks after the birth of your baby. We work from Whangaparaoa to Maungaturoto Coast to Coast.
Diane says one of the fundamental principles for both programmes is that healthy relationships are important for leading healthy lives. She says consent is a timeless issue, sex will always need to be negotiated and young people need to be taught the skills to do that. “We think the Roast Busters story shows us that we need to have these conversations as a community and the importance of involving everyone, not just people who work in the family violence area.”
Trial to examine blood pressure A new cardiac procedure for people whose blood pressure remains high even when on blood pressure lowering medicines will be part of a $1.2 million two-year trial starting early next year. “The trial uses renal denervation, a halfhour procedure that ‘zaps’ the nerves to the kidney to reduce blood pressure,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall. “While this new treatment is still in its very early stages, it shows considerable promise for lowering blood pressure and in turn lowering the risk of heart attacks, heart disease and stroke. “The trial will provide valuable information about how renal denervation can be used to help New Zealanders with resistant high blood pressure. “Hundreds of people with resistant high blood pressure from Auckland, Waikato and Christchurch will be involved in the trial,” says Mr Ryall. The trial is being led by University of Auckland’s Heart Foundation Professor of Heart Health Robert Doughty and is supported by the Cardiac Society of Australia and NZ. The trial was selected from four different cardiac procedures considered for further study by the National Health Committee in partnership with the Health Research Council.
! N E P o w o N Book any Essential facial treatment or Resultime Specialised treatment before 30 November and receive a free eyelash tint and eyebrow shape (worth $35) and enter the draw to win a basket of gorgeous Collin Resultime treatment products. The Therapy Room, ph: 09 425 5820 332 Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach, Auckland (located inside Snells Beach Pharmacy)
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 33 49
ruralrodney
Warkworth A&P show ‘too good’ to lose ACC levy cuts welcomed Bayleys in the North director Mark Macky says he’s excited to align the Bayley’s name with the Warkworth A&P Show. “Our rural history and heritage is important, particularly as we see urbanisation creeping further north,” he says. “When I heard that the show was in a dire financial position and might close, I thought ‘we can’t let this happen’. “Perhaps it’s my country roots, but I feel very strongly that the show is something we, as a community, should all get behind.” The Macky family has owned the same dairy farm in Te Awamutu since 1869 and Mark’s adamant that it will pass down to his son one day. “My father understands the importance of the land and I guess he’s indoctrinated me with those sentiments.” Warkworth is one of the five oldest A&P societies in NZ. The show was established in 1867 and has been held annually, with the exception of one year during World War II, ever since. One of the entries in the 2013 show. In 2010, tough financial times forced the principal sponsor, Wellsford 2009, when the last capital works and show’s only hope of survival. contractors Wharehine, to halve its improvements were undertaken, the Bayleys has come onboard as the $20,000 support and then withdraw show had a healthy bank balance of show’s principal sponsor and will hold altogether. The society was unable $130,456. By March this year, this a fundraising auction at The Bridge to find a replacement and had to dig had eroded to $61,000. House, in Warkworth, on January 23. into reserves to meet show costs. In Local sponsorship was seen as the More details next issue.
Farmers are delighted the Government has confirmed ACC levies for 2014/15, which will see between 21 and 29 percent shaved off work levy rates for farming “risk groups”. This reflects an improving safety record onfarm and should go lower as this trend continues. “While farmers may work in one of the highest risk groups, we are finally seeing our improving safety record translate into the levies paid by pastoral farmers,” says Katie Milne, Federated Farmers ACC spokesperson. “If there is ever an advertisement for why good safety is good for business then this is it. From the macro sense this will save all businesses, not just farming ones, $151 million this financial year in the Work Levy alone.” As farmers are self-employed, they will get a share of what is a $151 million safety dividend, she says. Employees will also be paying $236 million less in the Earners’ Levy. However, Federated Farmers will be making sure any cut to levies does not shift the goalposts of entitlement when farmers need to claim, says Mrs Milne.
WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME BACK TO JANET! With 9 years past experience at the Farm & Lifestyle Centre, Janet has immense industry knowledge and looks forward to helping you again.
Peter and the team wish you a safe and Happy Christmas and sincerely thank you for your support during 2013.
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE NOW IN-STORE! 2-4 Morrison Drive, Warkworth Phone 09 425 7754 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-1pm www.farmandlifestyle.co.nz
50 34 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
WATER
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Wine with Ben Dugdale mardale@clear.net.nz Chairman, Matakana Winegrowers Association
China’s growing interest in wine A couple of weeks ago the very kind folk at Matakana Cinemas offered local winegrowers a chance to see a film about French wine and the rise of China as an important market. It is called Red Obsession and features the Bordeaux region. The top-ranked producers sell a portion of their wine “en primeur”, which is a little like a fully paid layby scheme. A purchaser “buys” the wine from the producer about 12-18 months prior to receiving it. The producer then has the cash for bottling and other expenses and the purchaser takes a small gamble that the producer will produce a wine equal to, in terms of quality, what the producer normally makes. Of course, accepting the producer’s word is okay, but what is quite fascinating in this documentary was the use of wine writers and critics, who would taste the unreleased wines and then pass judgement. This judgement has the potential to strongly influence the price when the wines enter the market. So, buying en primeur allows the purchaser to get a wine at a possible “low/pre-release” price. The wine was then held until released, whereupon, if the critics consider it of high quality the price increases. These increases have fuelled an investment market where people will purchase wines in a similar vein as shares and stocks. These prices have risen in such a marked way over three to four years that it is not uncommon for the purchasers to not even try the wine, let alone crack one open for dinner – they are simply too valuable for that. Recently it has been the very well-off Chinese who have driven the prices to a point where the producers are concerned about the issues resulting from a speculative bubble. One bottle of 1961 Chateau Latour sold at a Hong Kong Christie’s auction for £135,000 (NZ$268,000). An entire case would buy you a nice house on Omaha Beach. I think the Chinese wine market is great – it is a very complex, intricate market that is built upon both mutual respect and relationship development. I would like to see NZ’s role not just in sending wine to China, but also our people to assist the development of their industry, as well as bringing their winemakers and viticulturists to New Zealand to see how we make wine. According to the latest Census, we ignore this growing, vibrant sector at our financial peril. In terms of Matakana, we make a higher proportion of red wines in this region, and red wines outsell white wines in China by about five to one.
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Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 35 51
ruralrodney
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Orang - Otang Tree Trimmers The Matakana team (from left) Harrison Sterling, Sabrina Yardley, Abby Guild, Rosie Bell and Ella Gibb.
Matakana Pony Club makes it through to regional finals The Matakana Pony Club team has qualified for the second year in a row to go through to the New Zealand Pony Club Zone 1 Game Finals as representatives of the Waitemata Rodney Area. The club recently won the Area Games required from the riders and horses, competition held in Warkworth. making it an exciting spectator sport. Runner-up was Hakaru Pony Games this year included Ball and Club, with Kaukapakapa third and Racket Race, Hurdle Race, Old Sock Warkworth fourth. Race, Postman’s Chase, Pyramid Race, The Matakana team included Rosie Sharp Shooters Race, Three Mug Race Bell, Abby Guild, Ella Gibb, Sabrina and Windsor Castle Race. Yardley and Harrison Sterling. The The Zone 1 Finals will be held in team is coached by experienced Games Warkworth on February 8 and 9, rider Michelle Sefton. including teams from Auckland, Mounted Games requires fast action Franklin, Thames Valley, Northland in a confined area and lots of skill is and Waitemata Rodney.
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52 36 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
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Phone 423 8008
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NO DEPOSiT NO iNTEREST
S T N E M Y A P E R R O *
uNTil 2014
with Louise Molendijk
Sharing bugs: Leptospirosis We live in close contact with livestock and companion animals and enjoy this bond. The small downside is that we also share some bugs. In fact most of the new diseases in humans have an origin in animals. We call this a zoonosis, meaning a disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from animals, or their products, to humans. One of them is leptospirosis, which is the most serious commonly notified zoonotic disease in NZ with between 80 and 180 laboratory-confirmed cases reported per year in the last decade. The mode of transmission to humans is mostly via the urine of contaminated animals either directly or in the water or soil. Leptospires gain access to the circulation through skin scratches and wounds or intact mucous membranes and ultimately spread to various tissues. Depending on which mammalian species has been infected, and the strain of lepto involved, the level of illness can vary from unapparent, to mild illness, to severe illness and death. Mostly the bacteria is cleared within a few weeks but in some species the immune system is unable to clear the infection completely from the kidneys and leptospires are shed in the urine for many months or even years. The urine most likely to be carrying leptospires in New Zealand is from rats, pigs, cattle, sheep, deer and possums. Once out in the environment, the leptospires need wet conditions to survive, up to six months. Your dog might drink or swim in infected water and become infected. The liver and kidneys are the main organs affected. Signs include a high temperature, severe thirst, lethargy, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice. If not treated early the disease is most often fatal. Since the first signs are really nonspecific, it challenges vets to diagnose it. A dairy cow that became infected might show a passing fever with a marked drop in milk production lasting two to 10 days. In this acute “milk-drop syndrome” the milk has the consistency of colostrum, with thick clots, yellow staining, high somatic cell count, and the udder has a uniformly soft texture. Abortion is a possibility. Calves are more vulnerable and may show fever, lethargy and red water. Luckily we can protect ourselves and animals against most strains of leptospirosis by vaccination. Calves get two vaccinations when they are young and after that a yearly vaccination. Dogs also start with two vaccinations, and then a yearly repeat. The team at Wellsford Vets wishes you all a Merry Christmas and we hope to see you in 2014.
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Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 37 53
Gardening with Wendy Schick
www.tumbleweed.net.nz
Coping with dry conditions While it is lovely to have a beautiful lush tropical or cottage garden, why struggle with the elements? If it’s hot, it’s dry, so choose dry-tolerant plants. Seaside colour – Gazanias are a great coastal plant for sandy and tough soils. Spreading quickly, they’re useful to prevent erosion and provide a riotous carpet of colour. Gazanias are super-hardy, tolerate poor soils as long as they have good drainage, and bloom virtually year round. Pseudopanax “Cyril Watson” - An incredibly tough native variety that withstood last summer’s drought without a problem. Lomandra tanika – A striking Australian grass, obviously bred for the arid Australian climate. It always looks tidy and copes well with the dry. Train your plants to cope with less frequent watering by gradually increasing the days between watering. Deep infrequent watering encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil where they are less likely to be affected by a spell of dry weather. Frequent shallow sprinklings lead to shallow roots in danger of drying out. Invest in good equipment. Old leaky hoses and fittings, and those that are awkward to use, can waste a lot of water. Fix leaking taps. Remove weeds. Weeds rob the soil of moisture, taking it away from your precious plants. Mulching not only prevents water being lost from the soil surface, it also improves nutrient absorption and prevents a hard surface crust that repels water. Organic mulching materials (such as straw, granulated bark, and composted leaves and grass clippings) have the added advantage of improving the soil’s water-holding capacity as they break down. Be sure to thoroughly wet the soil before laying mulch. Time it right. Don’t water in the middle of a hot summer’s day when evaporation is high and aim for the soil, not the foliage. Keeping the water off the foliage also helps to reduce disease problems and water loss via evaporation, which is especially important for tomatoes and roses. Soaker hoses and drip feeders are more efficient than overhead sprinklers. Check and adjust irrigation systems to ensure water is going where it’s needed. Use grey water from the shower or washing machine to water the garden and your container plants in dry weather. From all of us at Tumbleweed we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas. Thanks for your support; talk to you again next year.
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Growers of Palms & Subtropical Plants and Landscape Supplies
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54 38 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
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scoreboard
A roundup of sports activities and events in the district Junior cricket
Kids’ cricket coaching, Sunday mornings from 8.30am for kids with experience, or from 9.30am for novices, at Shoesmith Domain. Parents welcome and encouraged to get involved. Info: Hayden 0272116004. Junior rugby
Boot camp at Mahurangi Rugby grounds, 9.30am on Sundays. $6 per session per person. All ages welcome. Snorkelling
Learn snorkelling and underwater hockey skills at the Mahurangi College pool, ages 7-13, $50, January 14, 16, 21 and 23. Info: ph coach Terry Axford on 425 4615 or 021 924592. Touch
Former Army cook, carpenter and fisherman, Athol Adams is leaving Te Hana after 16 years.
Touch will be played at Kaiwaka on Sundays at 12.30pm, from February 2 until March 20. There will be mixed teams of men, women and teenagers, with a maximum of six players on the field and no more than three males, $100 per team. Info: Cheryl Anderson 4312 051 or kaiwakasports@ gmail.com, or Bridgette Sampson 021 1727947 or b.sampson@xtra.co.nz
Bowls group farewells founder Members of the Te Hana Hall social bowls group farewelled their founder, Athol Adams, at their end-of-year Christmas luncheon on December 6. Fellow bowler Margaret Collins paid delicious apples.” tribute to Athol’s dedication, both to Margaret said Athol was leaving the the group and the upkeep of the hall, social bowls, which catered for everyone over the past eight years. from novices to experienced bowlers, “Thanks to Athol’s enthusiasm and in good heart. Members came from tenacity, Auckland Council has made Kaiwaka, Mangawhai, Tomarata, Leigh, improvements which the whole Warkworth, Snells Beach and Wellsford community have benefited from,” with all ages and abilities welcome. she said. Athol has his house on the market “He has always been generous and we and when it sells, he will move to will miss the bounty from his garden Pukekohe to be nearer to family. including flowers, vegetables and a Social bowls resumes at Te Hana on seemingly endless supply of golden Friday, February 21, at 9.30am.
Learn to swim
Aquakidz Swim School is running a Learn to Swim holiday programme for children aged 4 and over from January 13 to 17 at the Mahurangi College Pool. Info: Cindy 425 9924 or 021 1635050 or aquakidz@hotmail.com List sports news by emailing editor@localmatters.co.nz
229 State Highway 1, Warkworth Phone 09 422 3149 0800 TOTALSPAN
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YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR MARINE REQUIREMENTS BOAT HIRE
Wed
Dec 18
Tide Times
2:32am 9:00am 2:57pm 9:19pm
Moon
0.6 3:12am 3.1 9:40am 0.8 3:38pm 3.0 10:00pm
5:58am 8:37pm
Sun Fishing Guide
Thu
Dec 19
1:23am 1:47pm
0.6 3:51am 3.1 10:18am 0.8 4:17pm 3.0 10:39pm
5:58am 8:37pm
Best At
G
Fri
2:11am 2:35pm
Dec 21
0.6 4:28am 3.1 10:56am 0.8 4:56pm 3.0 11:17pm
5:58am 8:38pm
Best At
G
Sat
Dec 20
2:58am 3:21pm
Sun
0.6 5:06am 3.1 11:33am 0.8 5:36pm 2.9 11:55pm
3:43am 4:06pm
Dec 23
6:00am 8:39pm
Best At
G
Tue
Dec 24
Wed
Dec 25
0.7 5:45am 0.7 12:35am 2.9 1:16am 3.1 12:11pm 3.0 6:26am 0.8 7:10am 0.8 6:16pm 0.8 12:51pm 3.0 1:35pm 2.9 6:58pm 0.8 7:43pm
5:59am 8:39pm
Best At
G
Mon
Dec 22
5:59am 8:38pm
Best At
G
WE SERVICE ALL MAKES & MODELS Matakana Marine Seawatch Auckland Area Sea Watch
4:28am 4:49pm
6:00am 8:40pm
Best At
G
5:11am 5:32pm
5:54am 6:16pm
2:02am 7:59am 2:21pm 8:31pm
6:01am 8:40pm
Best At
B
2.8 0.9 2.9 0.9
Thu
Dec 26
6:38am 7:00pm
2:53am 8:55am 3:12pm 9:24pm
6:02am 8:41pm
Best At
F
2.8 0.9 2.9 0.9
Fri
Dec 27
7:22am 7:45pm
2.8 3:51am 1.0 9:54am 2.9 4:07pm 0.8 10:22pm
6:02am 8:41pm
Best At
F
Sat
Dec 28
8:09am 8:34pm
2.8 4:53am 0.9 10:55am 2.9 5:07pm 0.8 11:22pm
6:03am 8:41pm
Best At
F
Sun
Dec 29
8:59am 9:25pm
6:04am 8:42pm
Best At
F
Tue
Wed
Dec 31
Jan 1
2.9 5:55am 3.0 12:21am 0.6 1:18am 0.9 11:54am 0.8 6:53am 3.2 7:49am 3.0 6:08pm 3.0 12:51pm 0.6 1:46pm 0.7 7:08pm 3.1 8:07pm
6:04am 8:42pm
Best At
F
Mon
Dec 30
9:53am 10:21pm
6:05am 8:42pm
Best At
G
10:50am 11:21pm
11:51am
2:12am 8:43am 2:40pm 9:03pm
6:06am 8:42pm
Best At
G
0.4 3.3 0.5 3.3
Thu
Jan 2
12:23am 12:54pm
3:05am 9:35am 3:34pm 9:57pm
6:07am 8:42pm
Best At
B
0.3 3.5 0.4 3.4
Fri
Jan 3
6:07am 8:42pm
Best At
B
1:26am 1:57pm
0.2 3.6 0.3 3.5
Best At
B
2:27am 2:57pm
Last New Quarter Moon Set 6:32am Set 7:24am Set 8:17am Set 9:11am Set 10:06am Set 11:01am Set 11:56am Rise 12:29am Rise 1:00am Rise 1:33am Rise 2:10am Rise 2:51am Rise 3:39am Rise 4:34am Rise 5:36am Rise 6:44am Rise 7:56am Rise 9:00pm Rise 9:42pm Rise 10:20pm Rise 10:54pm Rise 11:27pm Rise 11:58pm Set 12:53pm Set 1:51pm Set 2:52pm Set 3:55pm Set 5:00pm Set 6:06pm Set 7:10pm Set 8:10pm Set 9:02pm Set 9:50pm *Not for navigational purposes.
G
Good Fishing
F
Fair Fishing
B
Not So Good
www.tidewiz.com
www.tidespy.com
www.ofu.co.nz
Graphic supplied by OceanFun Publishing Ltd.
For the latest wind and swell information for the Auckland area, go to: www.tidespy.com/?place=3005
50 Matakana Valley Road Matakana • Phone 09 422 7822 • Mobile 021 429 955 Email matakanamarine@xtra.co.nz • www.matakanamarine.co.nz
Your one stop shop for your marine needs!
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 39 55
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE ONLY $48+GST* PER INSERTION
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COMPOSITE JOINERY Ltd Composite Joinery Ltd 7 Glenmore Drive Warkworth 0941
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56 40 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
Chad Ranum Electrical SolaR PowER altERnativES
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PHONE 09 425 5597
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Sparkling windows is our business Ruth Murray • ruth.murray@clear.net.nz
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WATER TANKS
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KUMARA PLANTS Organic red/orange. 873 Whangaripo Valley Road. Phone 09 423 7079.
www.bearforest.co.nz • sales@bearforest.co.nz
GOOD WEANER PIGS $80 each. Ph 09 422 6052. RAWLEIGH Products. Phone Pat 425 8851.
PONY / COB 11hh, 9yrs, black & white, gelding. ideal children’s pony. Nice happy nature. $2000 ono. Phone 425 8799.
GARAGE SALE 62 BLUE GUM DRIVE, WARKWORTH December 21st @ 9am.
HEALTH SERVICES PHOBIAS? STRESS? ANXIETY? Hypnotherapy with Scope Hypnosis. Phone 0508 SCOPE ME (726 736) or email: lisa@scopehypnosis.com
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 41 57
Classified Advertising HOME MAINTENANCE
PHOTOGRAPHIC & DIGITAL
HANCOX UPHOLSTERY RECOVER SPECIALIST Antiques & contemporary styles. Recycling furniture for 41 years. John Hancox, 14 Bambro St, Phone 425 0934.
PRESERVE YOUR MEMORIES
HANDYMAN SERVICES All building work to odd jobs. Fast & efficient. Phone Graeme 021 775 943. FENCE & DECK REJUVENATION Get ready for summer. No obligation free quote. Ph Phil 422 4919 or 027 640 2185. STEVE’S MAINTENANCE lawns, hedges, waterblasting, rubbish removal, section clearing, property maintenance. No job too big or small. Phone Steve 029 770 7101 or 09 425 9966. Serving Warkworth, Snells, Matakana, Sandspit. WATER FILTERS Underbench filters & whole house Ultra violet filters – Kill and remove ecoli/bacteria. FREE site visits. Ph Steve 09 945 2282 or visit www.purewaterservices.co.nz LAWNMOWING & SECTION MAINTENANCE SERVICE Rubbish removal, weed control, water blasting, decks, drives, paths, fence painting & repairs. Warkworth - Matakana & Beaches. Jeff is reliable and punctual. Phone 027 425 7357 or 425 7357. WATER PUMPS Low water pressure? Get it sorted. Sales, service and installation. Work guaranteed. Steve 09 945 2282 ww.purewaterservices.co.nz
PUBLIC NOTICES
Videos, slides & old 8mm films all on to DVD. Ph TeTotara Video (09) 422 5710.
PUBLIC NOTICES
FREE JP SERVICE
Auckland Council service centre, Baxter Street, Warkworth.
EVERY MON, 10-2 & SAT 10-1
No appointment necessary. Service includes signing, witnessing, declarations, certified copies, immigration & marriage dissolution.
The ANNUAL MeeTING OF OMAhA BeAch cOMMUNITy (INc)
will be held at Omaha Beach Club, North West Anchorage, Omaha Beach on Sun Jan 5th 2013, at 4pm. AGeNDA
1) Welcome 2) Apologies 3) Confirmation of Minutes of the AGM held 3rd January 2013 4) Receipt of the President’s Report for 2013 5) Receipt of the Annual Accounts for the period ending 31 October 2013 6) Confirmation of the appointment of a Chartered Accountant to conduct a Review Engagement for the period ending 31 October 2014 7) Confirmation of Amount of the Annual Subscription Fee for the 2014 Subscription Year and 2013/14 Security Levy - as recommended by the Committee 8) Election of the Committee for the 2014 year from nominations received in accordance with the Constitution 9) Receipt of Club Reports - Golf - Bowls - Tennis - Surf Club - Outrigger Canoe 10) General Business Trish Jackson – Secretary Omaha Beach Community Inc
Join our fight/donate@www.tearai.org & www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/savetearaibeach
65th Wedding Anniversary
WARKWORTH NETBALL CLUB INC AGM
Monday 20th January 2014, 6.30pm. Mahurangi Presbyterian Church, Office Lounge, 1 Pulham Road, Warkworth
Wood/fire sales & installations
SAFE CHIMNEYS for 38 YEARS
Phone 09 423 8945 Email: lynz.c@xtra.co.nz
1
MARKETS MUSEUM SUMMER MARKET 1st Saturday of the month, 8am, Old Masonic Hall, Baxter Street, Warkworth. Enquiries Warkworth 425 8391.
PAINTING & DECORATING GREEN BEAR PAINTING - reliable, quality service. Phone 09 423 0155 (Matakana) or 021 063 2375. Bruce McCarthy.
7
9
Sailing Schedule
January Sat 4 Sun 5 Tues 7
Sat 18 Sun 19 Fri 24
1hr excursion, departs 10am 1hr excursion, departs 10.30am Special 3-hr excursion to Scotts Landing, departs 11.30am. Bring picnic lunch, jacket. Reservations necessary 1hr excursion departs 9am. 1hr excursion departs 10am. Special 2-hr excursion departs 12.30pm. Bring picnic lunch, jacket. Reservations necessary.
www.janegifford.org.nz Dave 027 484 9935 or 425 5006 SUPPORTED BY MAHURANGi MATTERS
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6 4
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1hr excursion, departs 11am
LEES SHEARING CONTRACTORS Excellent animal care and customer service. Lifestyle specialists. All Rodney. Phone Phil 021 358 626.
Sudoku the numbers game 2
Sun 22
RURAL
Betty Peat & Roy McNeil
married in Auckland 12th November 1948. Congratulations Mum & Dad. You are amazing – we love you. From your children, grandchildren & 15 great grandchildren.
SPRING Chimney/Flue SWEEPS Safety checks - repairs - parts bird proofing - insurance receipts
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
8
7
5 4
3
7 Solution page 42
Fill in this grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
www.sudokupuzz.com
HANDYMAN – THE MAINTENANCE MAN Your one stop fix-it-man. Phone Jim 422 3725 or 021 254 2048 or visit www.themaintenancemanjim.co.nz
Advertise your classifieds and church notices here for only $2.95+GST per line or $8.85 per/cm+GST for boxed adverts.
58 42 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
Classified Advertising SITUATIONS VACANT VACANT SITUATIONS BREWERY WORKER, WORKER, 30-40 30-40 hrs hrs p/w. p/w. BREWERY General brewery brewery work work & & deliveries. deliveries. General Must have have drivers drivers license, license, be be fit fit & & Must reliable. Phone Phone 09 09 422 422 6555. 6555. reliable. ZERO2FIVE HOMEBASED CARE ZERO2FIVE HOMEBASED CARE EDUCARERS for for preschoolers. preschoolers. Would Would EDUCARERS you like like to to work work from from home home and and enjoy enjoy you great tax tax benefits? benefits? Call us us now now on on great Call 0800 2255 2255 025. 025. 0800
WANTED WANTED HOUSE SWAP SWAP Whangaparaoa Whangaparaoa -HOUSE
Mangawhai/Whangarei. Prefer Prefer near near Mangawhai/Whangarei. the coast. coast. Mature Mature family. family. Our Our house house -- 33 the bdrm + + ensuite, ensuite, near near Plaza, Plaza, sea sea views views & & bdrm close to to beaches. beaches. Non Non smokers, smokers, no no pets pets close and no no parties. parties. Ph Ph Eddie Eddie 021 021 483 483 018. 018. and
WANTED WANTED TO RENT RENT TO 24 yr old male looking to rent a
TV SERVICES SERVICES & & SALES SALES TV
AHV AERIAL AERIAL REMOVALS REMOVALS Now Now useless. useless. AHV Have it removed by our professional Have it removed by our professional team. Ph Ph Phil Phil 422 422 4919 4919 or or 027 027 640 640 2185. 2185. team. ALL FREEVIEW FREEVIEW INSTALLATIONS INSTALLATIONS Dish, Dish, ALL Aerial, Additional Additional Outlet Outlet .. .. THE THE TV TV MAN MAN Aerial, IS THE THE ONE! ONE! FREE FREE QUOTE QUOTE Call Call JiM JiM THE THE IS MAiNTENANCE MAN 021 254 2048 or MAiNTENANCE MAN 021 254 2048 or visit www.themaintencemanjim.co.nz www.themaintencemanjim.co.nz visit
FREEVIEW TV, TV, Audio, Audio, installation, installation, FREEVIEW Faults & Supply. Andrew 021 466 394 394 Faults & Supply. Andrew 021 466 or 422 422 2221. 2221. or TV SERVICES SERVICES Freeview, Freeview, dishes, dishes, aerials, aerials, TV boxes. Sales, Sales, installation installation and and repairs. repairs. boxes. Phone Gavin Gavin 027 027 476 476 6115. 6115. Phone
WANTED WANTED CASH PAID PAID Tools Tools & & Machinery, Machinery, Shed Shed & & CASH garage clearouts. All things considered. garage clearouts. All things considered. Call or or txt txt 021 021 161 161 5139. 5139. Call
FLATMATE WANTED WANTED FLATMATE Close to town, single Close to town, single and working. working. $180 $180 per per week. week. and Warkworth ph ph 021 021 145 145 6545. 6545. Warkworth
SECOND HAND HAND GOODS GOODS -- Glenfield Glenfield SECOND Trading wants to buy second hand goods. Trading wants to buy second hand goods. Servicing surrounding surrounding Warkworth Warkworth area. area. Servicing Ph Graham Graham on on 09 09 443 443 6013. 6013. Ph
BEE KEEPING KEEPING EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT Seeking Seeking BEE
2nd hand hand bee-keeping bee-keeping equipment. equipment. Txt Txt 2nd 022 320 3807 or phone 425 5748. 022 320 3807 or phone 425 5748.
24 yr old male looking to rent a to 22 bdrm bdrm house. Willing house. Willing to to pay pay up up 11 to to $250 pw. Also interested in to $250 pw. Also interested in rooms in in an an established established flat. flat. rooms Email: georgefdriver@gmail.com Email: georgefdriver@gmail.com or phone phone 0273623800 0273623800 or
WORK WANTED WANTED WORK
EARTH & & TREE TREE WORK WORK EARTH 14 Ton Excavator. 14 Ton Excavator. Phone 09 09 431 431 5344. 5344. Phone
REID EQUESTRIAN EQUESTRIAN ENGINEERING, ENGINEERING, REID Wellsford. Float rebuilds, horse truck truck Wellsford. Float rebuilds, horse conversions, etc. etc. Dog Dog kennels kennels made made to to conversions, measure. Quality Quality work. work. Ph Ph Ron Ron 423 423 9666 9666 measure.
the solution solution Sudoku the 1 8 6 2 7 3 4 9 5
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CHURCH NOTICES CATHOLIC CHURCH CHURCH CATHOLIC Holyname Catholic Church
Christmas BBQ Christmas BBQ Fri 20th 20th Dec Dec --BBQ 6pm Christmas Fri 6pm
Friday 20thBay Dec Mathesons Bay Friday 20th Dec Mathesons All Welcome All Welcome Welcome All All Welcome No Church Dec 27th or Jan 3rd
No Church Dec 27th or Jan 3rd
Warkworth Warkworth Anglican Parish Anglican Parish Christmas Services Christmas Services
Sunday 22nd 22nd December December at at 5pm 5pm Sunday A New Zealand Christmas at A New Zealand Christmas at St. Leonard's Leonard's Matakana Matakana St. Christmas Eve Christmas Eve 7pm Carol Service, Service, St.Alban’s, St.Alban’s, 7pm Carol Kaipara Flats Flats Kaipara 11.15pm Midnight Midnight Service Service begins begins at at 11.15pm Christ Church Christ Church Christmas Day Day Christmas 8am Christ Church, Church, Warkworth Warkworth 8am Christ 9.30am Christ Christ Church, Church, Warkworth Warkworth 9.30am 9.30am St.Leonard’s, Matakana 9.30am St.Leonard’s, Matakana 9.30am St.Michael St.Michael and and All All Angels, Angels, Leigh Leigh 9.30am
Holyname Catholic Church Alnwick Street, Street, Warkworth Warkworth 66 Alnwick Sts Peter & Paul Paul Catholic Catholic Church, Church, Puhoi Puhoi Sts Peter & 425 8545 8545 •• www.holyname.org.nz www.holyname.org.nz 425
CHRIsTmAs CAROLs CAROLs 2013 2013 CHRIsTmAs Tuesday 24th 24th Dec Dec -- Christmas Christmas Eve Eve Tuesday Warkworth 6.30pm 6.30pm •• Puhoi Puhoi 8.30pm 8.30pm Warkworth
CHRIsTmAs mAss mAss TImEs TImEs 2013 2013 CHRIsTmAs Tuesday 24th 24th Dec Dec -- Christmas Christmas Eve Eve Tuesday Warkworth 7pm 7pm & & Midnight Midnight •• Puhoi Puhoi 9pm 9pm Warkworth Wednesday 25th 25th Dec Dec -- Christmas Christmas Day Day Wednesday Warkworth 9.30am 9.30am Warkworth
There is is NO NO MASS MASS at at Puhoi Puhoi on on Christmas Christmas Day Day There
Thursday 26th 26th Dec Dec -- Warkworth Warkworth 9am 9am Thursday Friday 27th Dec Warkworth 11am Friday 27th Dec - Warkworth 11am Saturday 28th 28th Dec Dec -- Warkworth Warkworth 9am 9am Saturday Saturday Vigil Vigil Mass Mass -- Warkworth Warkworth 6pm 6pm Saturday Vigil Mass Sunday 29th Dec Vigil Mass - Sunday 29th Dec Warkworth 10.30am 10.30am •• Puhoi Puhoi 8.30am 8.30am Warkworth Monday 30th Dec Dec -- Warkworth Warkworth 9am 9am Monday 30th Tuesday 31st Dec Warkworth 5.15pm Tuesday 31st Dec - Warkworth 5.15pm Wednesday 1st 1st Jan Jan -- Puhoi Puhoi 9am 9am Wednesday Thursday 2nd 2nd Jan Jan -- Warkworth Warkworth 9am 9am Thursday Friday 3rd Jan (Anointing Mass) Friday 3rd Jan (Anointing Mass) Warkworth 11am 11am Warkworth Saturday 4th 4th Jan Jan -- Warkworth Warkworth 9am 9am Saturday Saturday Vigil Vigil Mass Mass -- Warkworth Warkworth 6pm 6pm Saturday Vigil Mass Sunday 5th Jan Vigil Mass - Sunday 5th Jan Warkworth 10.30am 10.30am •• Puhoi Puhoi 8.30am 8.30am Warkworth
www.anglican-warkworth.org www.anglican-warkworth.org
ANGLICAN NGLICAN P PARISH ARISH OF OF A W ELLSFORD WELLSFORD CHRISTMAS SERVICES SERVICES CHRISTMAS Tauhoa Community Hall Tauhoa Community Thursday 19th December,Hall 7.30pm Thursday 19th December, 7.30pm Tomarata Christmas Carols Tomarata Christmas Carols St Francis in the Fields St Francis in the Fields Sunday 22nd December, 7.30pm Sunday 22nd December, 7.30pm Wellsford Family Service Wellsford Family Service All Saints, 9.30am Saints, ChristmasAllDay, Wed9.30am 25th December Christmas Day, Wed 25th December All enquiries phone 09 4222 560 All enquiries phone 09 4222 560
Check church church website website Check
www.mahu.org.nz www.mahu.org.nz
for details details of of December December for services & activities. services & activities. See advert advert page page 23 23 for for See Christmas Services. Services. Christmas
5 Pulham Pulham Road, Road, Warkworth Warkworth 5 Phone 425 425 8861 8861 Phone www.mahu.org.nz www.mahu.org.nz
Sunday Services Services 9am 9am & & 10.30am 10.30am Sunday
localmatters.co.nz Your LOCAL community newspapers in Auckland’s north
Top 10 viewed stories in November 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Te Arai development approved Claims of corruption in Rodney Paradise lost for Warkworth couple New motorway’s impact revealed Guy-less bonfire respects community diversity
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Highway fast-tracked Warkworth settlement re-enacted (+video) Oracle optimistic despite Warkworth staff layoffs Pilot whale strands at Algies New $46,000 sculptures for Warkworth
Keep coming back for regular updates, picture galleries, videos and changes to have your say on Local Matters. You can also get daily updates and join the conversation on twitter@localmattersnz or Facebook MahurangiMatters
Mahurangi Matters 09 425 9068 • Hibiscus Matters 09 427 8188
Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 43 59
what’s on December 2013
For links to more information about some of these events, as well as listings through to the end of the year, visit the What’s On calendar online at www.localmatters.co.nz
Mangawhai Village Hall Market, from 9am, David Shanhun playing from 9.30am. Info: Sharon 0274 860133. 31 Mangawhai Village Hall Market, from 9am, Andy Richards playing from 9.30am. Info: Sharon 0274860133 28-Jan 3 Great Summer Art Exhibition, Snells Beach Community Centre, Snells Beach (see pullout guide, p12). 29 Puhoi Farmer’s Market, 9am-1pm, Info: 021 722266. 29 Annual Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service Door Knock.
Kowhai Connection Local bus timetable
January 2014 1
Waipu Games, Caledonia Park, gates open 8.30am. Info: waipugames.co.nz (see pullout guide, p14). 1 Warkworth Rodeo, Warkworth Showgrounds, 9.30am start. Info: krissyf@xtra.co.nz (see pullout guide, pgs 4-6) 1&2 PYO strawberries at Omaha Strawberries on Point Wells Road, $5 per kg, byo container, fundraiser for Warkworth Wellsford Hospice, 9am-2pm. Eftpos available. (See pullout guide, p16). 2 Matakanaval, Matakana Country Park. Tickets from Ticketmaster and Warkworth iSite (see pullout guide, p9). 2 Mangawhai Summer Gala Day with events, entertainment, rides, food and shopping, Mangawhai Domain. Starts 9am. 4, 5 A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ascension Wine Estate. Gates open 6pm. Tickets from the winery or ascensionwine.co.nz. 4 Black Swamp Rod Run plus Family Fun Day, Black Swamp Road Orchard, Mangawhai, 10.45am, $15. Rock’n’roll from 1pm. Overnight camping by arrangement. Info: Sandra 431 5571. 9 Comedy Capers, live comedy featuring Brendhan Lovegrove and Pax Assadi, MC Andrew Clay, Leigh Sawmill, doors open 8pm. Tickets from eventfinder.co.nz. (see pullout guide, p13). 11 Puhoi Axemen’s Carnival, in the grounds of the Puhoi Hotel, starts 9.30am (see pullout guide, pgs 2,3). 13-17 Aquakidz Swim School for children 4 and over, Mahurangi College pool. Info: Cindy 425 9924 or 021 1635050 or aquakidz@hotmail.com. 14-23 Water skills programme, Mahurangi College pool, $50 for four sessions. Info: Terry Axford 425 4615 or 021 924592 (see story, p44). 15 Mangawhai Beach & Country Market at the domain, 9am1pm. Info: 0274 586144. 23-27 mARTakana exhibition and sale for Warkworth Wellsford Hospice, Matakana School Hall. (Preview Jan 23 at 6pm; Jan 24 from midday-6pm; Jan 25&26 from 9am-6pm; Jan 27 from 9am-midday). Info: warkworthwellsfordhospice.co.nz 25 Bayley’s Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show, Warkworth Showgrounds (see pullout guide, p15) 26 Puhoi Farmer’s Market, 9am-1pm, Info: 0217 22266. 26 Mangawhai Beach Day. Family fun all day, including beach games, sausage sizzle, Big Dig, etc.
$3
Stude n $1.50 ts
per tri
p
Warkworth • Snells Beach • Matakana
24
Adults
Plus on-request pick-ups and drop-offs to:
Algies Bay • Sandspit • Point Wells • Omaha Weekdays Leaving Warkworth Warkworth
(excluding public holidays)
AM
Weekends (and public holidays)
PM
AM
PM
7.00 8.30 10.00 12.00 2.00 3.40 5.10
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Sandspit & Algies
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7.30 9.00 10.30 12.30 2.30 4.10 5.40
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Omaha/Pt Wells Whangateau
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Return to Warkworth Omaha/Pt Wells Whangateau
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Sandspit & Algies
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Warkworth
R = Request a pick-up or drop-off
Freephone 0508 KOWHAI (569 424)
3 ways to catch the KowhaiConnection 1. From a bus stop 2. Hail a ride 3. Request an off-route ride 5 6 9 4 24
0508 KOWHAI • www.kowhai.org.nz
February 1 1 9
Classic Hits winery tour with Jordan Luck and Stan Walker, Ascension Wine Estate,. Tickets from Ticketmaster. Sunday in the Park, meet at the woolshed at Tawharanui at 9.15 am, BBQ lunch is provided afterwards. Lynyrd Skynrd, Starship and 10CC, Matakana Country Park. Gates open 11am. Tickets from Ticketek.
Email your events to editor@localmatters.co.nz
Proudly supported by Barfoot & Thompson Warkworth and Mahurangi Matters
60 44 | Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013
Mahurangi underwater hockey team overjoyed
Four years ago, Mahurangi College didn’t even have an underwater hockey team. Now it has the best junior team in the country. In an incredibly short space of time, the school has come from nowhere to win the national finals – and in the process has beaten teams that have dominated the sport for more than three decades. “Schools like Mount Albert Grammar are still in shock,” jokes coach Terry Axford. “In three years we’ve gone from kids ones will stay longer and learn more who were spluttering in the pool, complex skills. to beating teams that have been in “It’s not just teaching them the existence since 1980.” basics about underwater hockey Two members of the team, including — it’s teaching them how to be his own son, have been chosen to trial comfortable in the water and for the New Zealand under-18 team, teaching them appreciation of what even though they are only 15. “That goes on underwater, whether it’s in was a really big coup for the boys,” he a game situation, or in a Goat Island says. situation, or jumping off the beach at A former New Zealand rep himself, Scandretts,” he says. Terry believes the secret to the team’s Terry admits he didn’t really like success lies in the fact that he has swimming when he was younger, but trained his players to become coaches loved diving for coins, which led to themselves, thus ensuring the sport him discovering underwater hockey. will continue to thrive even when he’s The victorious team poolside, and (top right) with their gold medals. He hopes more children might make not around to teach them. encourage more to take up the sport. underwater hockey teams. the same discovery. They had to go through a full While the sport is popular in Auckland The programme of four 90-minute “It’s a matter of slowly growing it. I’m KiwiSport programme, including city, Mahurangi is one of the few sessions on January 14, 16, 21 and 23 keen to see North Harbour have more writing a test, doing a physical, and schools in North Rodney to have a caters for three different age groups: of a presence in underwater hockey, coaching 10 sessions, before becoming team, he says. 7-9-year-olds, 10-13-year-olds, and just because we have so much water accredited youth coaches. around.” So next month he has organised those over 14. Terry believes other sports could learn a programme at the Mahurangi For the younger children, there Info: Terry Axford on 425 4615 from this method, but in the meantime College pool for children from all over will be plenty of games and a basic or 021 924592. The programme he’s keen to see more schools develop Auckland, which he hopes will gently introduction to snorkeling. The older costs $50.
For a full range of family health care, including A&M services in an integrated system 24 hours per day, across our region, including public holidays
Wellsford Birthing Unit
Full 2 bedroom birthing and post natal care facility with your own LMC & Registered Nurses 24/7 in attendance. Birthing pool, FREE baby car seat with admission. 218 Rodney St, Wellsford Health Centre, Wellsford
Enquiries Admin 09 423 8745
CLINICS
For further information and new enrolments, please contact any of our clinics Wellsford 220 Rodney St (Cnr. SH1 & Matheson Rd) 09 423 8086 ALSO AFTER HOURS Snells Beach 145 Mahurangi East Road 09 425 6666 Matakana 74 Matakana Valley Road 09 422 7737
Mangawhai 4 Fagan Place 09 431 4128 Maungaturoto 138 Hurndall Street 09 431 8576 Paparoa 1877 Paparoa Valley Road 09 431 7222
~ WISHING YOU ALL A SAFE AND HEALTHY CHRISTMAS ~ PHONE 09 423 8086 FOR 24/7 AFTER HOURS URGENT SERVICE Delivered twice a month to 12,350 homes & businesses throughout north Auckland