Prime May

Now Onlnignthee

duri 9 Covid-1 n Lockdow

Hamilton & Tauranga

Hamilton Zoo Welcomes Baby Rhino Zahra

May Issue

e d i s n i also Hamilton Gardens Open at Level 2

, Humour , , s e p i c Re ice History, rd, Events, Adv , , a i v i r T • g o C ro s s w e w s , G a rd e n i n Prizes, N ars, inment, Enterta sers, Health, C a Brain-Te d Much More! n A Shows,

Move your Butt to beat bowel cancer June is Move your Butt month.

Challenge yourself to move more during June and get your friends and family to sponsor you. You’ll get fitter, feel better - and raise funds to help more Kiwis beat bowel cancer.

Start moving moveyourbutt.org.nz /BCNZ.org.nz /bowelcancernewzealand

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Welcome to

From the Editors

Right now, many people around the world are looking at New Zealand and Australia’s responses to COVID-19, and wishing they lived here. As we’ve moved into alert Level-2 we are slowly coming to grips with what has become the “new normal” of social distancing, constant handwashing and enduring the, sometimes, long lines when grocery shopping.

Over the past month, during the lockdown, we have missed commemorating ANZAC Day, VE Day and other, more personal, celebrations.

In this edition we remember Victory in Europe day and also have an article on Queen Elizabeth II turning 94 on the April 21.

Due to the severe restrictions during alert Level-4 in April we have decided not to run advertisements in this May edition and thank all our advertisers for booking with us for June.

This is our second online-only edition and we will be resuming our deliveries next month to selected venues – supermarkets, libraries, hardware shop cafes and golf courses. We encourage readers to sign up to our digital service and receive your copy by email (click here) – or to access it through our website.

Thanks for reading; we hope you enjoy the stories in our latest combined edition of Prime and look forward to delivering again in June.

Romano and Lisa

and

Disclaimer

The views expressed in the articles and advertising are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prime Hamilton and Prime Tauranga. Prime Hamilton and Prime Tauranga reserve the right to accept, edit or reject editorial and advertising material. All endeavours will be made to ensure accuracy at time of publication. Neither Prime Hamilton and Prime Tauranga accept responsibility for omissions or consequences that may arise from information published.

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Welcomes Baby Rhino Zahra A southern white rhino has been born at Hamilton Zoo – meet Zahra!

The female calf arrived on 12 March 2020, following her mother’s 16-month pregnancy, bringing the number of white rhinos at the Zoo to six. Her name is Swahili in origin and means flower or beautiful.

Zahra is the fourth calf for mum Kito and joins father Kruger, brother Samburu and females Imani and Moesha at the Zoo. The calf was born with the skin condition Epidermolysis bullosa. Hamilton Zoo Curator Cheridan Mathers says this is a rare genetic condition that presents as lesions on the skin and is something she will have throughout her life.

“Visitors may notice lesions on her legs and under her chin. Though the lesions can look unsightly, her behaviour tells us that these are not affecting her in any adverse way. She’s still bright and bubbly, bouncing around, feeding from Mum and exploring her environment.”

The announcement of the new baby was delayed while the vet team and keepers assessed Zahra’s condition. The decision was taken to confirm the preliminary diagnosis through testing, but the onset of COVID-19 unfortunately delayed this process.

Hamilton Zoo has had great success with its breeding programme for southern white rhinos, with eight born at the Zoo. Males Kifaru and Ubuntu were transferred to The National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. Inkosi and Mtoto are now at Auckland Zoo along with female Jamila, who was transferred in 2018 and is herself due to give birth later this year.

Named for the Afrikaans word “wyd”, which means wide, referring to the animal’s wide mouth, the southern white rhino was thought to be extinct in the late nineteenth century. However, in 1895 a small population of fewer than 100 individuals were discovered in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

Today, after 121 years of successful protection and management, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the southern white rhino as “near threatened” in the wild.

Although still hunted and poached for their horns, which are believed in some cultures to have medicinal qualities, about 20,000 animals exist in protected areas and private game reserves.

(Hamilton Zoo)

1971 Volkswagen Beetle Not only is the air-cooled, rear-engine VW Beetle one of the most iconic cars in classic car history, it is the fourth highest-selling automobile of all time. During the original Beetle’s 65-year production run, more than 23 million were built world-wide. There are currently only 3 Super Beetles registered in New Zealand.

Joining the standard Volkswagen Beetle in 1971 was the new Super Beetle, which was three inches longer than its popular sibling. The Super Beetle also came with larger brakes, an upgraded suspension with MacPherson struts, and twice the luggage space as the standard model. Both models, however, were equipped with the same 1600 four-cylinder, air-cooled engine, which for 1971 had its horsepower upped to 60.

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Sadly, by 1971 or so, the Beetle was in terminal decline in both Europe and the U.S. In Europe, modern front wheel drive cars like the Fiat 128, Simca 1100 and Austin 1100 were light years ahead of the VW in terms of space efficiency, driving dynamics, visibility and fuel economy. In the US, the Corolla, Datsun 1200 and Opel Kadett were nipping at the Beetle’s heels, despite their conventional rear wheel drive.

The four top selling cars in history: 4. Volkswagen Beetle – Over 23 million produced 3. Volkswagen Golf – Over 30 million produced 2. Ford F-series (Pickup truck) – Over 40 million produced 1. Toyota Corolla – Over 43 million produced

Free Phone Counselling Services Male Support Services Waikato would like to offer the following service to help whanau, workers and the community.

As a result of the current situation with the Covid-19 virus we fully understand the pressures and stress that will be placed on the community and particularly whanau. To help alleviate this we have set up a free counselling service. This will be available for the next 6 weeks after which it will be reassessed.

We have a list of 20 registered, accredited, vetted and professional counsellors available looking to support you.

Currently this is available for the Waikato Community but also those in the Bay of Plenty and King Country, where our arm often reaches.

It is available to all ages as we understand, that our youth and younger will also be under duress.

There is no limit to the sessions. This is for both Males and Females.

How to access this • Phone 0800 677 289, option 0 • If between 8 and 5 your call will be answered. You only need to provide a name and contact number which will be allocated to a counsellor to make contact. Outside of these hours please leave a message with you name and number. We aim to have everyone contacted within 24hrs if not immediately.

This has been made possible through the good will and reduced rate of our counsellors. We have also received funding from the Gallagher Group.

Further funding is being considered by Trust Waikato and partners.

We will list once confirmed.

Please make use of this service even if just for a chat.

MSS Waikato

Royal New Zealand Navy Carries Out Exercises In The Hauraki Gulf Training by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) took place in the Hauraki Gulf during May and HMNZ Ships Manawanui, Otago and Hawea were part of the training.

Maintaining readiness, especially during times of emergency, is business as usual for the New Zealand Defence Force.

Leading Helicopter Loadmaster James Drain looks out from a Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopter

As an essential service, the New Zealand Defence Force must be ready to carry out search and rescue, border control – including patrol of our exclusive economic zone supporting other government agencies – and humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

The ships’ crews are complying with national COVID-19 requirements, with medical screening, physical distancing, increased hygiene measures and more rigorous and regular on-board cleaning routines.

HMNZS Otago 5

Hamilton Interior of St Peter’s Church 1887 – The interior of St Peter’s Church on Victoria Street in Hamilton, New Zealand decorated for Easter 1887. This church was the third Anglican church in Hamilton, after the first one burned to the ground in 1867 and a second smaller one, built in 1871, was sold to the Waikato Times in 1875. This church was completed in 1884 and consecrated in 1887. Unfortunately the church was built out of kahikatea timber which was prone to borer, and became unsafe for use. It was eventually replaced by St Peter’s Cathedral, which still stands today.

Anglesea Street, c.1900 – Looking about southwest along Anglesea Street from Garden Place Hill. Collingwood Street is in the foreground.

On the left is a ploughed field; the front left paddock is where the circus was held. (HCL_02467)

(HCL_00219)

Union Bridge, c.1880 – Looking from the west redoubt across to Hamilton East. The church on Grey Street (Heaphy Terrace) left of centre is the original St Andrew’s Presbyterian church. On the corner of Naylor Street and Grey Street is the Waikato Hotel. (HCL_02758)

Fairfield Bridge, c.1936 – Bridge construction workers sit on one of the arches of the Fairfield Bridge. (HCL_02633)

Queen Elizabeth II visits Hamilton in 1953 – The Royal car cavalcade makes its way south along Victoria Stree t. This was part of the Royal Tour of 1953. The Queen and Prince Philip stayed overnight at the Hamilton Hotel. Buildings visible on the river side of Victoria Street include the State Theatre and the Public Trust Offic e. (HCL_02495) 6

St Peter’s Church on Victoria Street, c.1880 – The third Anglic an church in Hamilton after the first one burned to the ground in 1867 and a second smaller one, built in 1871 was sold to the Waika to Times in 1875. This church was completed in 1884 and consecrated in 1887.

Unfortunately the church was built out of kahikatea timber which was prone to borer, and became unsafe for use. It was eventually replaced

by St Peter’s Cathedral, which still stands today. (HCL_02777)

II, early Trenches being dug in Garden Place during World War of the 1940’s – In the immediate background is the concrete roof (small Hut tic ‘underground’ Gentlemen’s Lavatories. Beyond is the Patrio The . white building) and on Victoria Street is the Chief Post Office - by now white building to right is Armstrong Motors Ltd, Ford dealer 2433) on the corner of Alexandra Street and Garden Place. (HCL_0

Prime Recipe Short on time? Try making a frittata for dinner – a healthy, filling and nutritious meal that’s ready in under an hour.

Baked Chicken Frittata with Spinach

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

• 3 potatoes, boiled and sliced

Heat oven to 180°C. Grease and line a baking tin with baking paper.

• 1½ cups shredded cooked chicken

Squeeze as much liquid as possible from cooled spinach.

• 1½ cups blanched spinach or silverbeet (or thawed frozen spinach) • ½ cup milk • 6 eggs • ½ cup grated cheese • 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (optional)

Lay the sliced potato, shredded chicken and spinach on top of each other in the tin.

Mix together the milk, eggs and cheese.

Then pour the egg mixture evenly over the ingredients. Sprinkle herbs over the top.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the egg has set.

Turn out of the tin. Serve with salad and tomato relish.

(with courtesty of the Heart Foundation)

Adds Further Domestic Flights for Alert Level 2 Air New Zealand will resume seven more domestic routes when the country enters Alert Level 2.

The airline released initial details of its domestic schedule on Friday for when the nation enters Alert Level 2, with plans to operate to the majority of its domestic ports from 18 May.

Additional routes and frequencies will be reintroduced back into the schedule as demand permits.

The airline will also restart services to Taupo and Timaru as demand allows.

Air New Zealand General Manager Networks Scott Carr says the airline has been working hard to add more flying to its domestic schedule over the past few days.

Customers are advised that the airline’s schedule for these additional routes is currently only available up until 7 June. The airline is working to issue the schedule for these routes post this date.

“We’re pleased to be able to resume flights from Christchurch to Hokitika from 25 May. We’re also going to bring more routes back into our domestic schedule in the coming weeks, with flights to and from Blenheim, Dunedin, Rotorua, Hamilton and Tauranga.”

• Christchurch to/from Hamilton from 18 May • Christchurch to/from Tauranga from I June (Air New Zealand)

Jamie Strange – a message to Prime Readers Hamilton has won the battle to host the headquarters of New Zealand’s new Institute of Skills and Technology (a merger of New Zealand’s Polytechnics).

Well done to our Hamilton team who put together a strong bid: Wintec, Hamilton City Council, Te Waka, Tainui, Chamber of Commerce, and various businesses, community groups and civic leaders.

This announcement follows on the heels of Hamilton being chosen at the location of a new Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court in December 2019, and the Criminal Cases Review Commission in February 2020.

Hamilton is coming of age and has a key role to play in New Zealand’s future.

The new national polytech merging all 16 of the country’s current institutes will have its head office in Hamilton.

As a former Wintec student, I value the role vocational education plays in our communities.

On Covid-19 matters, New Zealanders work best when we work together, and over the last few months, that’s exactly what we have seen right across our country.

We banded together as a team of five million.

We went hard and early, stayed home and we saved lives. And, although we still need to play it safe, we’re coming out the other side.

Now it’s time for us to rebuild and recover together. That’s exactly what the Government’s Rebuilding Together Budget starts to do.

The Budget is all about getting New Zealand moving again. We’re doing this by providing targeted assistance to areas of the economy most affected by COVID-19, and supporting businesses in their recovery.

The Budget is about jobs. That’s why we’re extending the wage subsidy to save the jobs most under threat. And we’re focussing on backing projects that will create jobs that help New Zealand recover as a nation, stronger than before.

If someone’s house gets damaged, they don’t usually build it back the same. They rebuild it better. It’s the same with our economy. We’re rebuilding it better.

That’s why we’re building 8,000 new public houses.

This will help the construction sector get moving again, while providing warm, dry homes for thousands of families.

That’s why we’re expanding the Lunches in Schools programme, which will feed up to 200,000 Kiwi kids and create jobs in local communities.

And that’s why we’re giving more support to our hospitals and clinics to keep delivering the world class healthcare we’ve come to value more than ever.

Now’s the time to create a New Zealand we’re truly proud of. Now’s the time to stay safe, lock in the gains we made in recent weeks, and recover as a nation.

Now’s the time to rebuild together.

Jamie Strange – Labour List MP for Hamilton 7

North Island Kokako Community pest control gives taonga species a fighting chance.

Mokaihaha Kōkako Trust recorded rat prints in 37% of its tracking tunnels before the 2019 pest control operation but in only 4% of the tunnels afterwards.

Community-led conservation efforts achieved spectacular results last winter with an 89% decrease in rats detected at Mokaihaha, one of the Bay of Plenty’s most important ecological locations.

Two other community groups, Kaharoa Kōkako Trust and Tikitapu Forest and Bird Group, also had positive results.

The predator control programmes were implemented to protect kōkako and native mistletoe however other species benefiting from these pest management programmes include North Island kaka, long and shorttailed bats, kererū and riflemen among others All three operations used bait stations which were stocked with toxin by either volunteers or contractors depending on the site.

Bex Newland, DOC Senior Biodiversity Ranger, says to measure the success of a predator control operation, possum or rat monitoring (or a combination of both) is completed before and after a control operation. This is done using tracking tunnels in which rats leave footprints and calculating how many tunnels as a percentage rats have visited.

VE Day

For possums, the tracking tunnels are replaced with live capture traps.

At Kaharoa Conservation Area rat detection reduced by approximately 80% and in the Tikitapu Scenic Reserve just over 69% fewer rat tunnels showed rat tracks after pest control.

Frankie Blakely, Tikitapu Predator Control Project manager says the contribution of volunteers was fantastic.

“Our volunteers turned out in all kinds of weather to put in their effort, and this project would not have been possible without their diligence and commitment,” she says.

The ongoing ecosystem protection including the protection of kōkako, forest birds, mistletoe and a wide range of palatable tree species is largely due to the continuation of these community-led predator control programmes.

(DOC Media Release)

by Ben Johnson

May 8th 1945 was the date the Allies celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler’s Reich, formally recognising the end of the Second World War in Europe. This became known as VE (Victory in Europe) Day. The Allies had begun to overrun Germany from the west during April as Russian forces advanced from the east. On 25th April 1945, Allied and Soviet forces met at the Elbe River, the German Army was all but destroyed.

Five days later, Hitler killed his dog, his new wife Eva and then committed suicide in his Berlin bunker. His successor, Admiral Karl Doenitz, sent General Alfred Jodl to General Dwight Eisenhower’s Supreme Allied Headquarters in Rheims to seek terms for an end to the war. At 2:41 a.m. on 7th May, General Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of German forces, which was to take effect from 8th May at 11:01 p.m. In New Zealand, acting Prime Minister Walter Nash insisted that celebrations should wait until after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had officially announced peace at 1 a.m. on 9 May, New Zealand time.

It was on this date that great celebrations took place across Europe and North America: in London over a million people celebrated Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Crowds massed in Trafalgar Square and up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by the Prime Minister Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the Palace to cheering crowds.

Amongst those crowds Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) and her sister, Princess Margaret blended anonymously, apparently enjoying the celebrations for themselves first hand.

In the United States, President Harry Truman, who celebrated his 61st birthday that same day, dedicated the victory to his predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had died less than a month earlier on 12th April.

The Allies had originally agreed to mark 9th May 1945 as VE day, but eager western journalists broke the news of Germany’s surrender prematurely, thus signalling the earlier celebration. The Soviets kept to the agreed date, and Russia still commemorates the end of the Second World War, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War, as Victory Day on 9th May. The Allied victory over Japan was known as VJ Day, did not take place until some months later on 15th August 1945.

The Royal Family with Sir Winston Churchill at Buckingham Palace on VE Day, 1945. Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, Churchill, King George VI, Princess Margaret (Pinterest) 8

Humbly Yours

Prime Recipe

Banana and Oat Cookies

By Chris Packer

(Although Humble has not been able to open due to the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown I continue to contribute this column for your enjoyment.)

These easy cookies are super tasty and perfect for tea time.

Some things just make you smile...just by sitting around on our shelves or every time we use them.

Funky, quirky, cute or crazy they are a constant source of amusement.

INGREDIENTS

One customer told me of a little terracotta pig she had that sat dozing and dangling one leg off the kitchen window sill. Every morning as she prepared her first cuppa of the day she would smile and greet the little pig. One day she decided she should glue pig down so that it would not get knocked from its precarious perch.

Years later when packing up to move house she realised the pig could not be unglued and would have to be left behind, hopefully to add a smile to someone else’s day.

METHOD

Whimsical ornaments of animals are favourite smile items and many become popular as collectibles like pigs at their natural cutest.

Animal pieces with human traits also cause amusement, like frogs at their ablutions, ducks in raincoats and poodles with jewelled collars. Owls also have had their day. What makes any one animal an appealing collectible?

Recently flamingos became the bird of choice for collectors.

You might find a pink bird strutting with an umbrella or another holding up a lampshade. In the 1950’s a large pink concrete flamingo was a favourite garden ornament also a seal balancing a silver ball on its nose. They were such an incongruous addition to a suburban garden. In this day of retro revival these garden pieces are very collectible as flights of whimsy and to cause a smile for a past era.

Teapots and salt and pepper sets are another whimsy.

There are infinite creations.

My favourite teapot find is a design called The Washerwoman; a buxom pot with a face full of character painted with a few master strokes by Picasso. A Toby character jug that caused much amusement at Humble was one depicting a Dicken’s character that has an uncanny likeness to the current American president.

Someone bought it.

Humble Gifts & Collectibles (the little shop in the corner of Cafe Fresca garden), 78 Alison Street, Hamilton Lake. Phone 0210 2334 7606.

Open Wed-Sun 10-4 and Thursday until 6pm.

Follow us on FACEBOOK.

• • • •

1 banana, ripe, mashed ¾ cup rolled oats ½ cup almonds, ground ¼ cup raisins, or chopped dried fruit

• 1 tsp honey • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Heat oven to 175°C. Mix all ingredients together. Divide into approximately 30g portions and flatten slightly on a greased baking tray.

Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Allow to cool. Keep in a sealed container for up to five days.

Prime Riddles 1. How can a baby fall out of a 30-story building onto the ground and still be alive?

2. You are walking alone on the sidewalk.

There are no stars in the sky, no moonlight, all of the lamps on the street are broken, you don’t carry any source of light with you and there aren’t any cars or other people approaching. A silent black cat tries to cross your way, but you somehow spot it and turn around in order to avoid bad luck. How did you see the cat?

Answers on page 19

6. A mute person enters the pharmacy and decides to buy a toothbrush. He imitates the movements of brushing his teeth and thus successfully explains what he needs. After him a blind person enters the pharmacy, looking for toothpaste. What does he do?

7. If you have one match and enter a room in which there is a stove, a kerosine lamp, and an oil burner, what will you light up first?

3. You have to cross a long bridge which supports weight up to 180 pounds.

However, you weigh 175 pounds and also carry with yourself 3 golden eggs, each of which weighs 2 pounds. How can you get to the other side?

PS: If you leave an egg unattended, someone can steal it.

4. Bern tells Sandy, “This isn’t the $20 bill you left on the table. It is mine – I was keeping it between pages 15 and 16 of my textbook.”Sandy retorts, “You are lying and I can prove it.” How does she know?

5. You have a glass of water and an ice cube floating in it. When the ice cube melts, will the water level increase, decrease or remain the same?

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Hamilton Gardens Open at Level 2 Hamilton Gardens has re-opened to the public with precautions in place to keep visitors safe during Level 2.

Explore the Enclosed Gardens again As with most public venues, your contact details are collected at the entrance to the Enclosed Gardens. There is a one-way route through the themed gardens to keep people spaced apart. This is made clear throughout with signage and fencing. The number of visitors allowed in at one time is being monitored and will be limited.

The Enclosed Gardens are open daily 10am to 4pm, which is reduced from the usual timings. This allows for the gardeners to work during the morning in areas which would otherwise put them into close contact with the public.

• Please go through the Enclosed Gardens in a one-way clockwise loop • Follow the directional arrows and keep left at all times • Be considerate of other visitors, particularly in areas with restricted space • Because of steps and steep paths, the large loop route is not accessible for wheelchair users, mobility scooters, or pushchairs • The nearest toilets are located by the Gate 1 carpark. There are no toilets within the Enclosed Gardens.

• Hamilton Gardens is a work in progress! Some gardens may be closed temporarily for maintenance or have restricted access due to the one-way loop

Temporary closures Due to the lockdown closure, the Hamilton Gardens gardening team is about six weeks behind schedule.

There is a lot of catching up to do!

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The Indian Char Bagh Garden is currently closed for long term maintenance. The usual turnover date when all plantings are refreshed was missed and the Municipal Nursery is working to restock the flowers which didn’t survive the lockdown period.

The Chinoiserie Garden is also closed, as well as the Victorian Flower Garden display houses.

Other gardens may be closed temporarily from time to time for routine maintenance. Signage will be in place with the current one-way route available to visitors.

Information Centre and other facilities The Information Centre and Gift Shop is open from 10am to 4pm seven days a week. Extra cleaning services are in place and two-metre physical distancing is expected at all times. The counter now has a clear perspex screen in place to further protect visitors and staff.

The Hamilton Gardens Gift Shop stocks a lovely range of local and New Zealand made products so keep that in mind when shopping for a gift for a loved one or for yourself! All items will be available as usual but the shop is only able to accept EFTPOS transactions – no cash sales. Unfortunately during Level 2 you are not able to hire mobility scooters or wheelchairs from the Information Centre.

The Hamilton Gardens Cafe is open daily from 9.30am to 4pm with a range of cabinet food as well as seated table service.

River boat tours on the Waikato River Explorer will be cruising again on weekends.

Prime Walks Need a short walk to entertain the kids and prevent cabin fever?

Here we go...

This Edition: LEAMINGTON WALKWAY

FACILITIES: No toilets.

There are a few ways to tackle this walk – depending on your energy levels. We parked at the Leamington Cemetery and walked down the stairs to the small regenerating wetland area, before heading along the easy path to the boulder strewn dam and stream.

Allow 30 min for an easy explore.

From here, you can continue beside the hilly farmland to exit at Addison Street.

Then, either head back the way you came, or stroll through the streets to the cemetery. Google maps helps out here!

DOGS: Dogs on leads.

It’s an easy walk and you can see the huge effort that the Cambridge Tree Trust and local students have put into converting the former wilderness of bramble and gorse into a small nature reserve. It would have been backbreaking work!

Arriving from the cemetery also means you walk under the towering eucalyptus trees, which is probably the most scenic way to attack this adventure.

And, if there is still energy in the tank there are the miniature trains that chug around Leamington Domain every Sunday weather permitting.

CONTACT: hello@outdoorkid.co.nz, www.outdoorkid.co.nz

TIME:

ACCESSIBILITY:

Mix of dirt paths and steps.

HOW TO GET THERE: Parking is available in Leamington Cemetery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ceana is a Hamilton mum raising an explorer called Finn who adores bugs and splashing in forest streams. After struggling to find accessible adventures, she has published familyfriendly guidebooks for Auckland, Central North Island and Hamilton & Waikato.

Bowel Cancer

Get moving to beat the devastating impact of bowel cancer – a message from Bowel Cancer New Zealand.

June 2020 is bowel cancer awareness month – and it’s also our annual Move your Butt fundraiser. This campaign encourages all New Zealanders to get off their butts and challenge themselves to move more.

Bowel Cancer New Zealand receives no government funding and all funds raised will go towards awareness, advocacy, research and support of people living with bowel cancer.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic we’ve decided to go ahead with this year’s Move your Butt challenge – it’s not only the perfect challenge to do at home or while socially distancing but moving is beneficial to both our physical and mental wellbeing. However, the most critical reason is that bowel cancer doesn’t wait in a crisis.

Bowel Cancer New Zealand encourages open discussion about bowel cancer with medical professionals and avoiding ‘sitting on your symptoms’. Symptoms include:

Bowel Cancer New Zealand general manager, Rebekah Heal, says, “Every day, on average, 8 Kiwis will be diagnosed with bowel cancer, and 3 people will die from it. Bowel cancer patients are more vulnerable than ever right now, which means we need to support them more than ever.”

The campaign runs from the 1st until the 30th of June and Bowel Cancer New Zealand is asking all New Zealanders – young or old, fit or unfit – to Move their Butts more during June. The challenge does not need to be extreme, like running a marathon; it simply means challenging yourself to exercise more than you usually do.

• Bleeding from the bottom or seeing blood in the toilet after a bowel motion • Change of bowel motions over several weeks without returning to normal • Persistent or periodic severe pain in the abdomen • A lump or mass in the abdomen • Tiredness and loss of weight for no particular reason • Anaemia.

More information on bowel cancer and Bowel Cancer New Zealand can be found at http://www.bowelcancernz.org.nz

Heal says, “This June as we emerge from our bubbles, we are aiming to get all Kiwis off the couch and moving more – even if it’s just a 10-minute walk a day.

Everyone who takes part will be helping themselves prevent bowel cancer– and by getting their friends and family to sponsor them, they’ll be raising valuable funds to help us continue to support the 1 in 6 Kiwis affected by bowel cancer.”

Move your Butt month is supported by a range of ambassadors including former Black Caps fast bowler and Sky sports cricket commentator Simon Doull and his wife, Liana. Simon’s parents both died of bowel cancer, and Liana was just 36 years old when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014.

Liana and Simon Doull are taking on the Move your Butt challenge to raise awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms. “Bowel cancer takes such a back seat here in New Zealand,” said Liana. “There’s so much information about other types of cancer, but people don’t like talking about bowel cancer.

If there’s something I can do that helps another young person get their symptoms checked earlier, then I’ll be happy.”

11

Queen Elizabeth II

Turns 94

“We will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again” The Queen turned 94 on April 21, but due to the Covid-19 lockdown the palace is not celebrating this event with the usual fanfare.

Britain’s Elizabeth II, the world’s eldest and longest-reigning monarch, typically spends her birthday privately without much public celebration but this year the event will be even more subdued.

The Queen is staying at Windsor Castle, west of London, with her 98-year-old husband Prince Philip, from where, she issued only the fifth televised address of her 68-year reign. 24 million British TV viewers watched the Queen thanking people for following government rules to stay at home and praised those “coming together to help others” (You can watch it by clicking here).

Elizabeth, who was born on April 21, 1926, in Bruton Street, central London, grew up not expecting to become Queen.

Her father, George VI, only took the crown when his elder brother Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25, and surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest reigning monarch in September 2015.

“Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones,” she said at the time.

Some interesting things Queen Elizabeth II owns On June 1 we celebrate the Queen’s birthday in New Zealand, the British will mark the occasion on the 13th of June – but her actual birthday is on April 21. Apart from the curiosity of celebrating her birthday on more than one day there are some further surprising things owned by the Queen.

1. She owns all the dolphins and whales in the United Kingdom – according to a statute from 1324 that is still in force today.

2. Nearly all of London’s Regent Street. Measuring approximately 1.25 miles in length, the street runs through both Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus and attracts more than 7.5 million visitors per year – and it’s all part of the Crown Estate.

3. Half of the UK’s shoreline, the UK’s continental shelf, 25 000 acres of forest. And all of Scotland’s gold mines.

4. More than 200 Launer handbags. The Queen prefers purses from luxury London designer Launer – At approximately $2500 a pop, that’s a mighty pricey purse collection.

5. A private ATM. There is a private money machine in the basement of Buckingham Palace, that’s specifically for members of the royal family.

6. 150 000 works of art (many of them priceless).

Though she doesn’t own it personally, it is held in trust by her. While some of these pieces are displayed in museums or otherwise made available for public viewing, many of them hang in royal palaces and estates.

7. A car collection worth more than NZ$16 million.

Given that she served as a truck driver and mechanic during World War II, perhaps it’s unsurprising that the Queen is a bit of a gearhead.

While she’s most often seen tooling around in her beloved Land Rover Defender – she’s owned about 30 of them. Among some of the models in her collection: three Rolls-Royces, two Bentleys, and a custom Range Rover LWB Landaulet that features the royal flag and an open-air top.

8. The world’s largest clear-cut diamond. Apart from a tiara covered in 1333 diamonds and a massive Fabergé collection (about 6000 pieces) the Queen also owns the Great Star of Africa weighing 530.2 carats. Also known as the Cullinan I it is the world’s largest clear-cut diamond worth approximately NZ$85 million.

9. Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, the Tower of London and Trafalgar Square. Westminster Abbey is known a “royal peculiar,” meaning that it belongs directly to the monarch, not a diocese. She owns some of England’s most famous wide-open spaces, including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, and The Green Park. Trafalgar Square – home to Nelson’s Column was originally the location of the royal stables and falconry mews.

10. Queen Elizabeth II’s own tartan. As the reigning monarch, the queen herself is the sole owner of a grey, black, and red pattern of tartan – named “Balmoral” – that was designed by her great-great-grandfather Prince Albert in 1853. Even fellow members of the royal family technically have to ask the queen’s permission to wear it.

What’s in the Queen’s handbag?

Queen Elizabeth II does not need a set of house keys, after all there’s always someone there to let her in. So what does she keep in her handbag? According to royal biographer, Sally Bedell Smith, the Queen always carries a mirror and lipstick in her bag. She also often packs a pen, some mint lozenges, and reading glasses. On Sundays she’ll bring a “precisely folded” £5 or £10 note for church donations.

Queen Elizabeth II visits the United Nations. The Queen meeting Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the sixtyfourth session of the General Assembly (Flickr)

It is also said that she uses the bag to “send secret signals to staff”: if the Queen places her handbag on the table at dinner, it signals that she wants the event to end in the next five minutes. If she puts her bag on the floor, it shows she’s not enjoying the conversation and wants to be rescued by her lady-in-waiting.

So, next time you are in the Queen’s company and you see her do that – take the hint: you’re being a royal pain.

YOU MUST JOKING Q: What did the stamp say to the envelope?

A: You stick with me and I will take you places!

A recent scientific study showed that out of 2,293,618,367 people, 94% are too lazy to actually read that number.

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Bob: “Holy schmoozes, I just fell off a 30 ft ladder.”

Jim: “No way man, are you okay?”

Bob: “Yeah, luckily I was just on the first step.”

Teacher: “Kids, what does the chicken give you?”

Student: “Meat!”

Teacher: “Very good! Now what does the pig give you?”

Student: “Bacon!”

Teacher: “Great! And what does the fat cow give you?”

Student: “Homework!”

Tauranga Tauranga Historical Society: 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown – Colourisation Project

Te Puke Main Street, c.1919 – During the First World War (1914-18), Te Puke had been established for more than 30 years and the motor car was gradually taking over from the horse and cart. The Avenue of Trees in the main street were planted in 1913, part of the upgrade that added street lighting to the town centre. It includes linden and silver birch. The Puriri tree in the central plot was planted to commemorate the start of World War One. Credit: Tauranga City Libraries Image: 99-971 (colourised 2020).

n decided use, c.1905 – After it had bee Ho urt Co and n tio Sta on Katikati Post Office, Police tara Post Office was opened the Uretara Landing, the Ure at ip oss acr nsh d tow site s new wa the fice site Of to The Post graph office four days later. tele . the sed and clo 0 s 188 wa ber wn nto cem 28 De ce at Bowe main, and the telegraph offi 0) Do tara Ure the m fro d roa the ed 202 Credit: Tauranga City Libraries

(colouris

Tauranga Camping Grounds, Sixth Avenue, Taur anga, c.1930 – Sixth Avenue Camping Grounds (now Memorial Park) from a collection of photographs by Tauranga photographer Alf Rend ell. Credit City Libraries Image: 12-625 (colourised 2020).

: Tauranga

uranga, c.1911-1912 – s in Wharf Street, Ta ain dr g ars. in lay en km or W Tauranga for many ye re a vexed question in we ers re sew the d , an 12 s 19 ain in Dr ugh o the 20th century, tho Problems persisted int council to spend the r fo ed ne re was no were those who felt the night cart would do! ratepayers’ money... the -746 (colourised 2020). raries Image: 99

Credit: Tauranga City Lib

Wharf Street, showing Bank Chambers, Bank of Australasia and Town Hall, undated. Credit: Tauranga City Libraries Image: 03-523 (colourised 2020).

Crater, Whakaari/White Island, c.19 05 – Written in pencil on back: “The burning Crater of White or Sulp hur Island Bay of Plenty New Zealand Sulphurous & Acid Lake”. Prin ted on very fragile damaged paper. Credit: Tauranga City Libraries Image: 08-0 59 (colourised 2020).

e Strand. front showing shops on Th Tauranga wharf and water es Image: 03-367 (colourised 2020).

Credit: Tauranga City Librari

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June

IN YOUR GARDEN

New season’s fruit trees and Roses start to arrive in store this month so it’s a great time to prepare the garden and head into Palmers to see the new seasons range.

Edible Garden Plant new fruit trees; Citrus, Apples, Pears, Plums, Peaches and Nectarines.

Spray deciduous fruit trees with Free Flo Copper protect from pests and diseases.

Provided by For more inspiration and gardening advice head to PALMERS.CO.NZ

Plant seedlings of Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, winter Lettuce, Spinach and Silverbeet.

Sow seeds of Spinach, Silverbeet, Peas, Onions, Lettuce, and in warmer climates; Broad Beans.

Garlic and Shallot bulbs are in store now and can be planted until late July.

Now is the time to plant Strawberries - getting them in early will not only give you more fruit but you will get fruit earlier too. Add a clean layer of pea straw mulch around the plants to deter pests and to keep the berries up off the dirt. Allow for 5 plants per person to ensure there is enough delicious fruit for everyone at harvest time.

Asparagus crowns are in store now. Plant in free draining soil.

Flower To ensure beautiful blooms come spring protect by spraying with Free Flo Copper, or the easy to use Yates Rose Gun. These sprays guard against scale, mites, aphids, and fungus diseases.

For cheerful winter colour, plant seedlings of Alyssum, Forget-Me-Not, Pansies, Viola, Polyanthus, Primula, Poppy, Sweetpea, Cyclamen, Hollyhock, Lobelia, Sweet William, Anemone, Candytuft and Bellis Daisy.

Sow seeds of Lobelia, Calendula, Sweet William, Dianthus, Alyssum and Sweetpeas.

In warmer areas sow Delphinium, Larkspur, Nemesia, Carnation, Canterbury Bells, Stock and Gypsophila.

Maintain

Ensure young trees and fragile plants are firmly staked and tied.

Now is the perfect time to prune trees that have finished fruiting. Cut stems back to a healthy growing bud and seal the cuts on larger stems with Pruning Paste to protect against disease.

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Keep your secateurs and loppers clean with white spirits, this will prevent the transfer of any diseases. Keep cutting tools sharp for neater cuts and to prevent any diseases growing.

It's a great time to plant Daphne, Camellias and Rhododendrons to add welcome colour to the garden in winter and early spring.

Prune out any thin and spindly growth on your Hydrangeas.

Cut back strong shoots to 2-3 buds from the base.

July

July is a great month to prepare your soil for planting vegetable and flower plants in spring. Winter planting continues as many seasonal favourites like Roses, fruit trees and Camellias become available in store.

Flower Garden

IN YOUR GARDEN

New season's Rhododendrons, Camellias, Hellebores and Daphne are in store ready for winter planting so they can get established in the cooler months.

Towards the end of the month plant Tuberous Begonias, Dahlias, Lilies, Calla Lilies and Gladioli for summer flowering.

Prepare the ground by adding Palmers General Garden Fertiliser. Gladioli will flower approximately 100 days after planting.

For spring colour sow your favourite seeds like Delphinium, Forget Me-Not, Larkspur, Primula, Salvia, Snapdragon and Wallflower in seed trays with Tui Seed Raising mix.

Plant new trees and shrubs adding Tui Nova Tec Premium Fertiliser and generous quantities of compost to the planting hole.

Edible Garden Plant new seasons fruit trees; Apples, Pears, Plums, Peaches, Apricots and Nectarines, plus a wide range of citrus trees are in store now.

Use a long term fertiliser like Nova Tec Premium Fertiliser or Tui Fruit Food when planting.

Prune your deciduous fruit trees now. Ensure your cutting tools are sharp and clean and protect cuts with a pruning paste.

Sow seeds of your favourite veges like Broccoli, Cabbage, Broad Beans, Onions, Spinach, Silverbeet, in seed trays in a warm spot.

Transplant to your garden in 6-8 weeks, or once they are approximately 4 cm high. In warmer districts you can also sow Carrots, Parsnips and Beetroot.

Roses Your existing Roses will now need a good prune. Ensuring your cutting tools are sharp and clean; cut out any dead, diseased or damaged branches.

To ensure beautiful blooms come spring protect by spraying with Free Flo Copper, or the easy to use Yates Rose Gun. These sprays guard against scale, mites, aphids, and fungus diseases.

For instant winter colour plant your favourite seedlings like Pansies, Sweet Pea, Stock, Lobelia, Cineraria and Dianthus directly into your garden.

Cut back untidy growth of perennial plants like Lavender, Canna Lilies, Agapanthus, Fuchsia and Geraniums.

Feed spring bulbs in your garden with a side dressing of Tui Bulb Food (though not recommended for bulbs planted in pots). Feed bulbs in pots and bulbs with their flower heads showing with Miracle Grow Max Feed All Purpose.

Plant seedlings of Artichoke, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Onions, Potatoes, Rhubarb, Silverbeet and Cabbage directly into your garden.

The use of protective cloches (plastic tunnel or dome) will allow you to plant earlier and encourage vigorous growth.

Plant Garlic, Elephant Garlic and Shallots bulbs along with Asparagus crowns. For best results plant in well-draining soil rich in organic matter (compost).

New season's Roses are in store now.

Get your favourite classic varieties or choose from a range of new and exciting releases.

All our plants are of the highest quality, but if something fails to grow in your garden, we’ll simply replace it for you – that’s our Palmers Promise.

For more inspiration and gardening advice head to PALMERS.CO.NZ 15

1. How many stars are there on the New Zealand flag?

2. At which Olympics did New Zealander Peter Snell win gold medals for the 800m and 1500m?

3. What is the missing mountain?

Ngauruhoe, Tongariro…

4. New Zealand is part of a 93% submerged continent known as what?

5. Where is New Zealand’s Largest hydroelectric power station?

6. The most decorated unit of the New Zealand Army during World War Two was called the “________” Battalion.

7. Who was the first person to fly from the UK to NZ? 8. Sir William “Bill” Hamilton is famous for inventing what?

9. In what year did NZ ban nuclear vessels entering its ports?

10. Who was the first person to split the atom?

11. Who led the famous land march from the Far North to Wellington in 1975?

12. What is the tallest mountain in New Zealand?

13. On which island is Oban?

14. In which township is the port of Christchurch?

15. In November 2017, Jacinda Ardern became the country’s new Prime Minister. How old was Jacinda at that time ?

Answers on page 19

Experts Are Back In Fashion –

Now More Than Ever We Need To Question Them Richard Shaw Professor of Politics, Massey University

Once upon a very different time, British cabinet minister Michael Gove sneered that “people have had enough of experts from organisations with acronyms saying that they know what is best and getting it consistently wrong.”

But that was then and this is now. One or two obvious exceptions aside, we are all in love with experts these days. And the New Zealand government’s announcement that for the next two years a small expert consulting panel will take decisions regarding large infrastructure projects – without public or local authority input – confirms that experts are back with a vengeance.

Of course, it is less the experts themselves we are drawn to than their expertise. In times of profound uncertainty, most of us find reassurance and comfort in knowing that policy decisions are based on information and knowledge gained through rigorous, rational and methodical inquiry.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, if you’re one of those who has bought a t-shirt, hand towel or tote bag featuring the nation’s director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, what you’ve really done is expressed confidence in the scientific method.

Equally, the further away we travel from full lockdown the more frequently we will confront policy challenges that are distributional rather than public health-related in nature. Tackling those in the years ahead is going to require expertise of many stripes: socio-cultural, historical, scientific, economic.

It will also mean that politics will reassert itself. You can see this happening already, with debate around an ill-advised leaked memo from someone in Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s office suggesting there was no need to defend lockdown policies due to the government’s popularity.

As the pre-election contest revs up, questions will inevitably be asked of people who have spent the lockdown on a public pedestal.

Thus far, questioning experts has risked being dismissed as the sort of person prone to chopping down 5G cellphone towers or injecting detergent.

But in democratic politics it is in the public interest to ask questions of those in positions of intellectual, economic or political authority.

It is one of the ways in which we hold people who exercise influence to account.

It is also part of the process by which we try to ensure that various voices and types of knowledge are heard within public debates about the way ahead.

You may also be expressing admiration for Dr Bloomfield as a person, albeit one with sweeping emergency powers, but one flows from the other.

As we slowly emerge into what many are hoping will be a brave new world, however, the executive arm of government – political and bureaucratic – will play the central role in charting social and economic reconstruction.

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Probing experts and their expertise in this way long predates the advent of right-wing populism.

Most populists simply dismiss science, without which it is fairly hard to have either experts or expertise. The far older practice of democratic scepticism does not do this.

Experts and expertise are not the issue. What is up for debate is how we define those things.

Which forms of knowledge are recognised as expert and which are not? What methodologies are used in the production of knowledge (and what insights might this leave out)? And how does policy-making work to privilege certain voices but not others?

Those are democratic questions, not populist ones.

They encourage us to think about the different types of knowledge that are permissible in policy-making.

There are many kinds of expert – and not all have degrees.

At times, experts reproduce their expertise within relatively closed communities of interest.

It is perfectly reasonable to ask if this devalues the voices of citizens who may lack the formal credentials of experts, but who nonetheless possess significant knowledge about how issues affect their communities.

Above all, it is eminently sensible to worry that an over-reliance on “objective” evidence can take the politics out of politics. Unless you happen to think that policy-making is simply a value-free exercise in solving technical problems, you’re likely to want more politics as we move into an uncertain future, not less.

I am not sure, for instance, that many of us would be comfortable leaving decisions about digital contact tracing or immunity certificates to tech experts. Or, for that matter, irreversible environmental decisions to a three-person expert panel. Fundamentally, these are political issues that we should all be debating.

Listening to and arguing over alternatives is the essence of representative democracy. So as we set about the business of rebuilding, let’s try learn from all of our experts.

Those with expertise in the humanities, social sciences, biophysical sciences, economics and so on have much to offer. But we should also harness the deep knowledge of those who, through these long days of lockdown, have become expert at keeping people connected, creating social capital or building futures markets for local businesses.

These are the people who know their way around the issues in local communities and who have done so much to rejuvenate the village square and the public domain. Let’s make sure we listen to those experts too.

Tauranga City Council Services and Facilities at Alert Level 2 Tauranga City Mayor, Tenby Powell explained that staff are looking forward to reopening facilities and resuming services under Alert Level 2. However, there will be some necessary changes to how Council operates to meet the government guidelines.

What you need to know:

For a full update on Council services and facilities, visit: tauranga.govt.nz/covid19

Transfer Station

Playgrounds

Libraries

Transfer stations will resume regular services from Thursday, 14 May. Recycling centres will also be able to accept all general rubbish, garden waste and recycling. You will still need to pre-sort your waste and recycling prior to your visit.

Staff will be giving all 107 playgrounds a deep clean prior to them being open to the public on Thursday, 14 May. To protect your family and others:

When visiting, expect some delays and take direction from staff managing traffic. There will also be physical distancing and contact tracing processes in place.

• Keep your distance from others (ideally 2m)

All Tauranga City Libraries will be reopening next week and in advance, we’re implement physical distancing, contact tracing and other health and safety measures to protect both the community and staff once they’re open. More information will be available Friday, 15 May.

• Stay home if you’re sick

• Wash your hands before and after using the playground

Mauao Mauao is open, however it is a COVID-19 high risk area due to the number of visitors, the inability for them to maintain safe physical distancing, and an inability to contact trace all users. To protect yourself and others: • Keep away from others (ideally 2m) • Give way on narrow sections • Avoid passing others • Do not stop mid-track to talk to others

Matapihi Rail Bridge The rail bridge is open, however it is also a COVID-19 high risk area due to the narrowness of the bridge, and user’s inability maintain safe physical distancing when someone is coming the other way.

To protect yourself and others, please consider using an alternative route.

Parks and Reserves Parks and reserves will be open, including McLaren Falls Park and Oropi Mountain Bike Park. The McLaren Falls Campground is still closed at Alert Level 2.

People are asked to keep their distance from others (ideally 2 metres) and give way on narrow footpaths, walkways and bridges.

Picnic tables, public BBQs and drinking fountains People should still avoid using picnic tables.

Public BBQs and drinking fountains will remain turned off during Alert Level 2.

Contacting the Council The Service Centre will be open from Thursday 14 May. There will be a limit on the number of people allowed in the centre at any one time. Physical distancing and contact tracing measures will also be in place.

Opening hours are: • Mon: Tue, Thur and Fri: 8.30am – 5.00pm • Wed: 9.00am – 5.00pm • Weekends: Closed They will also be closed daily from 12.00 – 12.15 to sterilise the Customer Service Centre.

To avoid unnecessary contact, people can also pay their rates, invoices, dog registrations, building consent fees or fines online at Tauranga.govt.nz The call centre is also available 24/7 and the phone number is 07 577 7000.

Parking Parking will be free for the first two weeks of Alert Level 2 as part of a move to help businesses recover from a lengthy lockdown.

The measures differ slightly depending on whether the parks are on-street or off-street: • On-street parking is free. Time restrictions apply and will be enforced • Off-street (eg parking buildings) are free for the first two hours and then charged at the usual rates If you work in town, please support local businesses by parking in the off-street car parks so that the street parks are available for shoppers.

Bay Venues Bay Venues’ will be re-opening facilities in stages so that they can closely monitor the new procedures that have been put in place to keep our staff and the community safe.

Under Alert Level 2 public venues and programmes can re-open with strict health and safety practices in place, including contact tracing to record who is coming into our venues and when.

Facilities such as Baywave and Mount Hot Pools will open from Friday 15 May and more information can be found at bayvenues.co.nz/ COVID-19

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Vege Of The Month

Onions

Onions are a bit of an unsung hero in my book, as one of the most frequently used vegetables in our homes. Year round we begin many a tasty recipe by slicing and incorporating the humble onion. These mainstay veges are all the more flavoursome for being grown in our own gardens.

Here’s some tips on how to grow your own • If you’re sowing from seed in early autumn, sow in seed raising mix in shallow trays generously.

They don’t take long to come up.

• Moisture levels need to be fairly constant as your onion seedlings grow. Every couple of weeks you can feed your growing seedlings with liquid fertilizer until the bulbs start to swell.

• You can harvest onions at any • Space seedlings a finger time and enjoy their sweet flavour length apart in rows when the plants are still young. spaced around a hands Generally they are harvested width apart. Plant them so when mature. Onions will often that the white lower base wilt their tops and topple slightly of the stem with the roots when they’re ready to harvest, as below is covered by soil. their roots dry. This will usually sun of happen around February. Once • Onions like plenty lop the tops have wilted and the roots as this helps to deve shrivelled in this way all you have their bulbs. Give them as e, to do is pull the onions and lay roomy, open spac to le them on their sides for a few days they can be susceptib mer – turning them now and again in mildew in early sum are the sun to dry their outer skins. when their bulbs open Then you can store them in a cool swelling. They’ll need in dry place or hang them up. (Any space for 6 months onions that still have thick stems your garden. above their bulbs once harvested • Free draining well are not suited for storing and are composted soil is best for best used first). onions. You could grow them in raised beds if • Onions are great companions the for beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, your garden soil is on carrot, cauliflower, lettuce and dense side. tomatoes.

How is your garden growing? Get in Touch!

DID YOU KNOW? Babies don’t have kneecaps. Well, they do. It’s just that they aren’t made of bone. They’re little bits of cartilage that have yet to ossify into bone.

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June Planting Citrus trees, and deciduous fruit trees such as plums, pears and apples are all available for planting now. It’s a good time to plant these permanent trees as the cooler weather and damp soil helps them to get off to a good start in our gardens.

There are lots seeds and seedlings you can plant this month too.

These range from crunchy greens like broad beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mesclun, parsley, peas, silverbeet, and rocket, or delicious root crops such as beetroot, carrots, florence fennel, garlic, onions, and radish.

If soil conditions in your main garden are quite wet try planting some pick and come again crops in containers so you’ll have something growing whilst you wait for conditions to improve. Coriander, lettuce, mizuna, parsley, peas and rocket all work well in containers.

June Harvest It’s all about healthy nutrition this time of year with vitamin rich crops like broccoli, cabbage, citrus and kiwifruit all ready to enjoy.

Remember to wait until your citrus fruits have fully coloured up before you pick them as they won’t continue ripening when off the tree.

Tamarillo, persimmon, and guava are also ready to enjoy at this time of year. In the vege patch we’ve been enjoying the first of our winter lettuces, along with beetroot, bok choi, carrots, kale, lettuce, radish, rocket, silverbeet, spinach and turnip.

What are you planting for the spring and summer? Get in touch with your gardening stories, we’d love to hear from you.

Spaghetto, confetto, and graffito are the singular forms of spaghetti, confetti, and graffiti.

The first item sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer. Thankfully, buyer Mark Fraser was apparently aware of the fact that he was getting a broken laser pointer when he purchased it for $14.83 from eBay’s founder Pierre Omidyar in 1995.

The longest place name in the world is 85 letters long (Taumatawhakatangihangak oauauotamateaturipukakapikimaunga­ horonukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu)

Scientists made a “nanoguitar” the size of a human blood cell. Cornell University researchers carved the tiny musical instrument out of crystalline silicon and claim that it’s the world’s smallest “nanoguitar” at 10 micrometers long.

You should throw away the cotton in your medication bottles. Believe it or not, that little ball of cotton that comes in your bottle of pills, which is there to keep pills safe during shipping, is meant to be removed. It can collect moisture because of its absorbent nature, which makes your pills deteriorate faster.

Riddle Answers 1. The baby fell from the first floor.

Answers 1. 1. 4

9. 1984

2. Tokyo 1964

10. Ernest Rutherford

3. Ruapehu

11. Dame Whina Cooper

4. Zealandia

12. Mount Cook (AORAKI)

5. Lake Manapouri

13. Stewart Island

6. Māori

14. Lyttelton

7. Jean Batten

15. 37 Years (and 3 months)

8. Jet Boat engine

Take a Bow, Hamilton From the Office of the Mayor

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate says the city can “take a bow” at today’s announcement to headquarter the country’s biggest training institution here.

The Government has confirmed the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) – the new national institute made up of 16 polytechnics plus the country’s training organisations – will be based in Hamilton.

Southgate said the Council and its partners had turned themselves inside out to put Hamilton ahead of at least five other centres also pitching their case. She acknowledged the role of the city’s bid partners, particularly Waikato-Tainui, Te Waka and the Waikato Chamber of Commerce. She also paid tribute to Council staff who had done much of the heavy lifting to showcase all the city and wider region had to offer.

“It was a huge amount of work but we had rocksolid support from different sectors and political parties as well as from the wider education and training sector. Nobody wanted this more than our city. The Government has made the right decision today, both for Hamilton, the wider region and for New Zealand.”

The decision was an endorsement of Hamilton’s education sector strength and highlighted the city’s strategic importance to New Zealand, Southgate said. She also noted Hamilton has had the fastest growing tech sector in New Zealand for the past two years. In a post-COVID-19 environment, her Council was looking for transformational solutions to deliver the very best for Hamilton. This was one such opportunity and it was now up to the city to leverage it.

Southgate noted the city has benefited from a number of recent Wellington-led decisions. In December plans were announced to fund a new Alcohol and Drug Treatment Court in Hamilton.

In late February, Justice Minister Andrew Little announced the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) would also be based in the city.

“Those investment and location decisions are not made lightly. I know the due diligence involved and the effort needed to get them across the line. It shows a real confidence in our city which is well-placed.”

2. All of this happened during a day (which is cloudy).

3. Simply juggle the eggs while crossing the bridge.

4. Pages 15 and 16 are on the same sheet of paper in the textbook (just like pages 1 and 2 are) and therefore the bill couldn’t be between them.

5. It will remain the same. The amount of water that the ice cube displaces is equal to its mass.

6. He simply says “I need toothpaste”. He is blind, not mute.

7. The match

Emotive New Documentary Episode Highlights Antarctica’s Global Role In Sea Level Rise It’s thousands of miles from home, and a place very few New Zealanders will visit in their life time, but the vital role Antarctica plays in global sea level rise cannot be underestimated.

The documentary also features footage from last summer’s Antarctic science season.

“It contains an enormous amount of the world’s fresh water, 90% of its ice, and if it all melted could raise sea level by 60 metres,” says Professor Tim Naish.

Antarctic Science Platform Director Nancy Bertler says the documentary is powerful.

The importance of the frozen continent at the bottom of the world has been highlighted in a new documentary called Water – Rapuhia, kimihia: Quest for knowledge. In candid and emotive interviews, well-known Antarctic researchers Professor Tim Naish and Nick Golledge draw on years of scientific expertise to highlight the important role understanding Antarctica’s ice sheets plays in global sea level rise predictions.

Both Tim and Nick hold key leadership roles within the Antarctic Science Platform.

“Hundreds of millions of people around the world will be affected by global sea level rise. Our scientists are working at the forefront of providing improved projections to support governments and communities to make informed decisions. The documentary provides a unique insight into this important and urgent work,” she says.

You can watch the documentary on the Antarctica New Zealand homepage here.

New Zealand’s Population Passes 5 Million New Zealand’s resident population provisionally reached 5 million in March 2020, Stats NZ said.

“This is a significant event for New Zealand,” population insights senior manager Brooke Theyers said.

“It is also the fastest million in our history, taking 17 years after reaching 4 million in 2003.”

The estimated resident population is provisionally 5,002,100 at 31 March 2020.

Population growth has been significant since 2013, with half a million people added to the population over the last six years. On average, the population has grown by 1.8 percent a year since 2013, driven by net migration.

How we got there About half of the population growth from 4 to 5 million (between 2003 and 2020) was due to natural increase (births minus deaths), and about half from net migration (migrant arrivals minus migrant departures).

“International migration played a significant role in reaching the 5 million milestone,” Mrs Theyers said.

“Migration was also significant in reaching 1 million in 1908.”

During the 20th century, natural increase was the main factor growing New Zealand’s population. However, net migration has been the dominant factor at different times such as during the early 1970s, mid-1990s, early 2000s, and late 2010s.

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