Prime January

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ake t e s a e l p h you t i w e m ho y and enjo

January Issue

Hamilton & Tauranga

Supporting Seniors to Embrace Technology Dig Deeper at Hamilton Gardens

The lifestyle magazine for those in the Prime of their lives!

5 Reasons To Go Veg In 2021 Soldiers at Te Waikato Sanatorium

e d i s n i also , 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,

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e m o c l e 2021

Happy New Year Everyone

We so hope you’ve had a wonderful, well deserved break after the year we have just had. We all make New Year’s resolutions which we rarely keep? But if yours was to rethink your housing needs, i.e…..”Do I want to down-size? Do I want to explore some of the amazing lifestyle villages with all the new friends they bring? What’s the market doing? Will I get a sufficiently good price?” This is where we come in.

Please give us a call for a no commitment chat with people who know what is happening and can be trusted, we are here for you. Call us anytime we would love to hear from you and answer all your real estate questions.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Our message

While we are always pleased to achieve a good result for any of our vendors or purchasers, we are especially pleased and proud of the reputation we have grown for our work and results with the more mature market.

WE ARE YOU We are very aware that as we or our parents and relatives approach the twilight years and perhaps contemplate a lifestyle change, the most important word is TRUST. We believe that our reputation in this area is your guarantee that both you and yours will receive the levels of service, trust and results referred to below. We have many, many more to share with you anytime. We offer a totally free advice package of recommendations of tradies, gardeners, legals who offer quality work we have experienced, at competitive prices. We believe our Harcourts totally FREE AUCTION MARKETING PROGRAMME (valued at over $3000) is unparalleled and includes exclusive social media exposure, along with photography, top property websites, publications etc.

You do not spend a cent.

Team for the times In the challenging times we now live in it has never

been more essential to deal with Reputable Trusted Companies. Harcourts is New Zealands biggest Real Estate Company and has been voted New Zealands Most Trusted Company for the eighth year in a row.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU Advantage Realty Ltd MREINZ Licensed Agent REAA 2008

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What customers are saying We just want to say thank you so much to you both, absolutely amazing result, you were both so positive and upbeat, made a huge difference to my stress levels so thank you, thank you. We are still in shock with the amazing result you got for us and gosh 42 groups of people amazing. Thank you both once again.

- SALLY & TARYN BOLTH Thank you so much Michelle and Hutch we appreciate all your expertise in making the selling of our home so stress free, you guys rock. Because of the great result you got for us pre-auction we are now able to move to our fabulous new home we have had our eye on which is awesome. Thanks you two well done.

- MARY & STEVE COLLINS

Michelle and Tony Hutchby Marketing Consultants

M 021 901 504 or 027 442 7678 DD 07 579 9023 or 07 577 1336 E michelle.hutchby@harcourts.co.nz E tony.hutchby@harcourts.co.nz

Team Hutchby . Your Team .

Welcome to

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.

For any queries regarding information that is published in Prime Hamilton and Prime Tauranga, contact names and information pertaining to that article is usually printed or supplied.

Prime Hamilton and Prime Tauranga are happy to hear feedback regarding publications but will not accept abusive or derogatory correspondence to any staff or persons connected.

Contact

Romano Manuel – 022 045 4892, romano@ manuelmedianz.com, www.manuelmedianz.com PRIME HAMILTON | PRIME TAURANGA

From the Editors

Welcome to our first edition of 2021!

We trust you have all been enjoying this weather as much as we have, what a perfect start to summer it has been!

The month of January is named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future. At times, what’s coming can be better than what’s gone. So, let’s start the new year with loads of positiveness, motivation, and intention to do good and be kind to one another. No matter how stressful and difficult 2020 was, it is time to be happy again and welcome the new year with new hopes and warm wishes.

From the Prime editorial team, we wish all of our readers and advertisers a very happy and prosperous new year. May 2021 be full of happiness and pleasant surprises. May all the 12 months of this year be filled with beautiful memories!

Happy NEW YEAR to you and your family!

Romano and Lisa

New Zealanders Have Their Hopes Up For 2021 More than a million New Zealanders think their lives will be better in the coming year.

The regions in which the largest numbers said their households’ finances had worsened in the past year have the highest numbers saying their lives will be better this year:

New research finds: • 31% of adults (around 1,114,500 people) think their lives will be better.

• 19% (around 665,000 people) think their lives will be worse.

• 44% (around 1,592,700) think their lives will be the same.

Hopes for better lives are highest in Northland at 45% (compared with 31% nationwide), Canterbury 37%, and Auckland 32%. Both BOP and Waikato are reported as below the nationwide figure on 25% and 28% respectively.

Horizon Research, which provides the results from a December 2020 survey of 1,595 adults nationwide, says Kiwis are feeling more positive overall, compared with the poorer financial position many say their households experienced in the past year.

Some 1,144,000 million adults (33%) said their households became financially worse off in the past year, while 16% said they were better off.

Looking to the coming year the numbers “flip”, with 31% expecting their lives will be better.

Horizon says there has also been a surge in optimism about the year ahead among those living in households with extended families, or ones with single parents with one or two children at home. These households most report worsening household finances over the past year.

However, among those single-parent households with three or more children at home the coming year still looks bleak: 32% expect their lives will be worse, 21% better.

The most optimistic are those flatting or boarding and not living at home: 47% say their lives will be better, 14% worse.

(Horizon Research Limited)

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Answers on page 23

1. In what US State is the city Nashville?

6. What’s longer, a nautical mile or a mile?

2. In what modern day country was Nikola Tesla born?

7. What post did Jim Bolger take up on retiring from Parliament?

3. What is the smallest planet in our solar system?

8. What is the main street of Gore called?

4. Where is the US Masters golf tournament held?

5. What does the Latin Tempus mean in English?

11. Reginald Kenneth Dwight is the real name of what famous British musician?

12. What does the acronym “SPECTRE” stand for (in James Bond movies?

9. Which southern Italian city is usually credited as the birthplace of the pizza?

13. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived – who was Henry VIII’s last wife?

10. Which is New Zealand’s smallest national park?

14. Where is the original Starry Night

by Vincent Van Gogh housed?

Volunteers Are Essential To The Work Of Waipuna Hospice

By Joy Beanland

In their charity shops they are valued for an array of capabilities, like sorting through appliances, discovering treasure hidden in bric-à-brac, physical strength for lifting furniture and fridges, customer skills, and a plain old willingness to get stuck in and help sort donations into valuable components that can be sold in Waipuna Hospice Charity Shops shops.

This financial year Waipuna Hospice needs to raise $4.25 million to continue to offer specialised palliative medical care and support services to families in our community.

That’s just under $82,000 per week. Waipuna Hospice’s retail operation contributes almost half of that, which is only possible thanks to the incredible work of their volunteers.

Joy loves the energy on busy days, and meeting people from so many different walks of life, especially their regulars. “We have a lot of regular customers in the Fraser Street shop, and we think of them as part of the Waipuna Hospice family. They love coming in to see us, and we love seeing them.”

Joy Beanland has been a volunteer at the Waipuna Hospice Fraser Street charity shop for 8 years. For her, volunteering is as beneficial for her as it is for Waipuna Hospice.

“I would encourage anyone who has some spare time and enjoys working in a team to volunteer and join the Waipuna Hospice family. It’s not a one size fits all. Different people like different things, and there is something for everyone.”

“I love belonging to something purposeful,” explains Joy. “I had a lot of experience working in retail previously, so was quite confident coming into my role. However, it’s not just about selling. The retail part of volunteering in the shops isn’t the essence of it, it’s about the people and the team in which we work. The benefits are as much for me personally as they are for the cause.”

If you’d like to come have a friendly chat or meet the team, call the Waipuna Hospice Volunteer team on 07 552 4380 ext. 314, or apply on their website https://www.waipunahospice.org.nz/volunteer/

W A IP UNA H O SPIC E C H ARITY SH O P

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Become part of the Waipuna Hospice family and help your community!

"I love that I get to work with nice people and I enjoy meeting the happy customers that come in

To become a volunteer call 07 552 4380 ext. 314 or email volunteers@waipunahospice.org.nz We look forward to hearing from you.

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to the shop."

Waipuna Hospice Volunteer

Supporting Seniors to Embrace Technology The Government’s investment in digital literacy training for seniors has led to more than 250 people participating so far, helping them stay connected.

“COVID-19 has meant older New Zealanders are showing more interest in learning how to use technology like Zoom and Skype so they can to keep in touch with their loved ones,” Minister for Seniors Dr Ayesha Verrall said.

The Wellbeing Budget in 2019 provided $600,000 to deliver computer training and skills for people who need it.

Programmes such as Pacific Senior CONNECT and Better Digital Futures are doing a great job upskilling people across the country.

Some programmes also help older New Zealanders get affordable internet connection so they’re able to access services and information at home.

From the evaluation completed for the first cohort of 24 participants of the Pacific Senior CONNECT programme, it showed a significant increase in digital social connection skills.

The percent of participants that said they could communicate with others digitally, for example through email or Messenger increased from 39% to 78%. The number of participants that said they could speak to others through video tools like FaceTime, Zoom or Skype increased from 4% to 78%.

Of those who have completed The Better Digital Futures for Seniors programme, the use of email increased from 47% to 86%, and the use of video tools increased from 14% to 34%.

Dr Verrall commended these initiates to ensure “that our seniors aren’t left behind.”

Prime Walks in the Waikato

By Ceana Priest

TE AWA RIVER RIDE – LAKE KARAPIRO

LAKE KARĀPIRO

This short section of Te Awa – The Great New Zealand River Ride is packed full of fun sights but prepare yourself for the gut-busting short sharp hill! From the Mighty River Domain head towards the southern exit and you can pick up the trail beside Maungatautari Road. From here the first section is relatively flat until you meet ‘the hill’! This short and sharp little nugget will make even the hardiest of cyclists dismount and push their bikes. But it’s over very quickly and easily forgotten until your return. There are great views along the lake which has become the training ground for keen rowers and Olympic hopefuls. The trail then drops down to a long boardwalk perched over the river bank which twists and turns – fun to tear along. The trail abruptly ends on Maungatautari Road and unless you have transport, turn around and enjoy the views on the way back. Can you spot the rowing starting line tower? This part of the trail is a great little addition to an afternoon at the Domain after clambering over the playground and grabbing an ice cream at the cafe.

This lake was created in 1947 after the Waikato River was dammed by the Karāpiro Power Station. When the lake filled, it flooded the 10 megawatt Horahora Power Station 13 kilometres upstream which had been decommissioned. The lake is famous for the impressive rowing regattas which take place on it; including the World Rowing Championships in 1978 and 2010 and now the nation’s rowing championships.

PRIzE GIVEAWAY We are giving away two copies of the recently published Kid-friendly Adventures Auckland guidebook written by our monthly contributor Hamilton mum Ceana from Outdoor Kid.

FACILITIES: Toilets, café and playground. DOGS: Allowed on the path but not at the Domain.

TIME: Allow 30 min biking return for the about 3km trail.

HOW TO GET THERE: Parking is available at Mighty ACCESSIBILITY: Well graded concrete River Domain on Maungatautari path and boardwalk. One short ouchy hill.

Road at Lake Karāpiro.

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 family-friendly guidebooks for Auckland, Central North Island and Hamilton & Waikato.

Discover more than 100 of the best kidfriendly adventures that Auckland has to offer. Clamber up ancient volcanoes, squelch through tidal mudflats, walk through bush-clad gorges or picnic on Hauraki Gulf islands – it’s all in the books!

Along with all the adventures – from five minutes to a few hours – there are educational discovery sheets, Department of Conservation Toyota Kiwi Guardian activity trails and a six-page te reo Māori nature language guide. And, don’t miss the City Adventures’ guide for the best playgrounds, splash parks, bike parks and mountain bike parks.

Just email your details to outdoorkidprime.comp@gmail.com to enter.

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WHAKATĀNE TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO The Whakatāne District offers so many opportunities to unwind, explore and connect.

Whakatāne has a charming town centre, nestled between a scenic riverside walkway and spectacular, bush-clad cliffs. The busy shopping precinct, numerous boutiques and specialty stores follow an attractive, tree-lined main street studded with cafés and restaurants. Nearby Ōhope has a fabulous gallery and boutique shops, along with plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat before taking a stroll along the white, sandy beach. There are many more reasons to visit at any time of the year.

Spectacular golf courses Whakatāne’s sun-kissed golf courses offer crisp, dry greens year-round, coupled with spectacular scenery. Set between Ōhiwa Harbour and Ōhope Beach, Ōhope International Golf Club is rated one of the top links courses in New Zealand.

On the other side of town, the Whakatāne Golf Club’s championship level course offers another spectacularly scenic game, with fast running greens and lush forgiving fairways. ohopegolf.co.nz whakatanegolf.com

Explore Moutohorā Island and Ōhiwa harbour Take a guided walking or kayak tour to wildlife sanctuary Moutohorā/Whale Island and spot dolphins, little blue penguins, curious seals and rare native birds. Enjoy a swim at the island’s hot water beach. Explore Ōhiwa Harbour by kayak, SUP or boat. Stop for a picnic at a secluded beach and take in the spectacular scenery. kgkayaks.co.nz whaleislandtours.com moutohora.co.nz

Experience Mataatua Wharenui – the house that came home Discover the extraordinary story of Mataatua Wharenui, the Māori meeting house that, after more than 130 years away, returned home to the Ngāti Awa tribe.

Mataatua is a living and breathing being. Be enthralled as the carvings and legends of Ngāti Awa are brought to life through the world-class, digital technology experience, ‘HIKO: Legends Carved in Light'. mataatua.com

Kiwi Wandering Trail A self-guided scavenger hunt in Whakatāne, the Kiwi Capital of the World! Find the ten life-like, life-size bronze kiwi statues which wander right through the heart of Whakatāne. The bronze kiwi sculptures form an educational walk, fit for families and people of all abilities and ages.

You can pick up a brochure with the clues from our team at the i-SITE or Te Kōputu a Te Whanga a Toi – Library and Exhibition Centre, or download the brochure before you head off. whakatane.com/kiwi-capital

Discover ancient giants at Whirinaki te Pua-a-Tāne A 1.5-hour drive from Whakatāne leads you to the untouched natural wonderland, Whirinaki te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park. One of the world’s great unspoiled forests, the park is home to majestic 1,000-year-old trees and 51 rare native species, including the endangered whio (blue duck). Explore this magical forest via 155km of walking and mountain bike tracks. whakatane.com/whirinaki whirinaki.com teureweratreks.co.nz 6

The Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre boasts a 25-metre indoor pool, 33-metre outdoor pool, two large spa pools, hydroslide, learners’ pool and ‘beach’ pool for littlies. There is also an excellent poolside café for your coffee and snack fix.

A host of group fitness classes are on offer, and are designed for all ages, including seniors. The low-impact, high-intensity pool-based workouts increase fitness and flexibility, while burning calories and building strength.

Casual, concession or membership rates are available, and the high-quality facilities are open 6am-8pm weekdays and 7am-6pm during the weekend.

The centre is located in central Whakatāne – a short stroll from Kopeopeo, the nearest shopping precinct.

Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre staff are qualified to help you reach your goals and ensure you have a wonderful experience at the pool.

Visit whakatane.govt.nz/aquatic or call 07 308 4192 for more details.

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Located in the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi facility on Kakahoroa Drive in Whakatāne. There is a variety of activities for the whole family to help keep you entertained throughout the summer.

The Summer Holiday Programme includes a pop-up Library on the Lawn gazebo to offer shelter from the sun and a place to relax in a beanbag with a good book or meet friends for a chat. Find a pre-loved book to take home with you.

Newly launched at the library is the Whakatāne Community Toy Library providing families with sustainable resources for children to learn through play. Holiday activities for children include storytimes on Mondays and on Fridays and active games played on the lawn. Take the opportunity to share the love of books in Read and Share with the Library Grannies, a Friends of the Library initiative. And for the early birds, join in the Piki Ake – Mindful Movement sessions on Wednesday mornings, greeting the day with a grounding and dynamic movement session that draws on Māori and universal influences to promote relaxation, movement, and strength.

For more information about Public programme events please phone 07 306 0509 or check out What’s On at Your Library on the Whakatāne Library website or the whakatane.com/school -holidays website Whakatāne Libraries cardholders can also access an entire library in the palm of their hands with our free eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, and newspapers anywhere, anytime through one of our digital libraries.

Just download one of the apps from the app store on your device, select Whakatāne Libraries, log in with your library card and pin number and you are ready to go.

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The Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre Te Koputu a te whanga a Toi is home to the Whakatāne District’s three contemporary art galleries and the local history heritage gallery. During the summer and early autumn period you’ll find a variety of art inspired activities to nurture your creative appetites.

Hao Weaving Residency – Monday 11 to Friday 15 January Nau mai haere mai to our mini weavers’ wānanga, where some of the weavers from the Hao exhibition will be dropping in to talk, weave and share kōrero about their mahi.

Hīnaki Making with Mathew McIntyre Wilson – Monday 18 to Thursday 21 January, 10am-4pm Hīnaki is a traditional Māori eel trap. In this week long workshop Mathew will demonstrate the intricate art of knot making. Come wananga and talk about hinaki in your whānau collections too.

SUMMER EXHIBITIONS

Molly Morpeth Canaday Award Exhibition Opens from Saturday 13 February to Sunday 4 April 2021 Presented by Arts Whakat ne in partnership with Whakat ne District Council

The Heritage Gallery features an array of historic artefacts that explore the rich history of the Whakatāne District. The displays include Māori taonga and the many stories that accompany them. Come and immerse yourself in our heritage gallery and learn more about our collections.

For more information phone 07 306 0509 or visit the gallery website Exhibitions and Events | Whakatāne Museum (whakatanemuseum.org.nz) 9

Prime Crossword Across Answers on page 23 1 Affirm (7) 5 Cargo (7) 9 Having two sides or parts (9) 10 The Earth (5) 11 An artless innocent young girl (7) 12 Used for sewing and knitting (7) 13 Quickly aroused to anger (9) 15 Implied (5) 17 Marsh plant (5) 19 Citation (9) 22 Any 10-limbed crustacean (7) 25 Bitterweed (7) 26 Andean animal (5) 27 One who watches (9) 28 Sloping roof beams (7) 29 Prattle (7) Down 1 Put into print (7) 2 Compelled (9) 3 Accord (7) 4 Give up (9) 5 Criminal (5) 6 Implore (7) 7 Small Asian goat antelope (5) 8 Public transport (7) 14 Postponement (9) 16 Linked (9) 17 A repairer of horse equipment (7) 18 Make amends for (7) 20 Boat races (7) 21 Approve of (7) 23 Stubble (5) 24 Measured amounts of medication (5)

End of Life Choice Act – Survey Recently the University of Auckland conducted a survey needing your feedback on the End of Life Choice Act. We ran an article by Dr Rosemary Frey and Dr Deborah Balmer in our October edition of Prime, and the findings of the survey shed some light on the complicated and emotionally charged issue of assisted dying, reflecting ordinary people’s perspectives. For some, the consideration of assisted dying will be more than an academic exercise given the referendum result.

The majority of participants expressed concern over possible abuses and coercive practices if assisted dying became legally available in New Zealand.

Their concerns reflect those found in several studies, particularly where the participants were considered vulnerable.

However, for the minority of older adults in this study supporting assisted dying, they wanted to retain control of their own life or death and to choose to avoid suffering or place a burden on their families. Supporters also reported assisted dying as a possible means of contributing to the quality of death by respecting the person’s wishes, relieving potential suffering, and preserving dignity.

Dr Deborah Balmer and Dr Rosemary Frey from the University of Auckland lad this project.

(Image supplied)

Concern has also been raised internationally that COVID-19 pressures may impact older adults’ decision to seek assisted dying.

A recent report by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) that included a survey of people’s mental health in aged care facilities in Belgium found that their contemplation of euthanasia had increased. In contrast, our results found that COVID-19 was not a significant consideration in participants’ decisions about assisted dying support. Future research of the impact of COVID-19 should be undertaken once the Act comes into force in 2021.

Finally, this report shares some of the stories, opinions, and hopes of adults 60 and older who participated in this research. Potential participants were approached through organisations with a predominantly older adult membership. Organisations either had no official position or represented a diversity of opinion on the Act based on organization published statements. This type of research may not reflect everyone’s attitudes, beliefs, and experiences. Also, the case studies were limited in the amount of information that could be included.

This report’s information provides useful and vital information that can inform lawmakers, health professionals, lawyers, advocates, and the broader public of older adults’ concerns as New Zealand moves to implement the EOLC Act in 2021.

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MORRIS MINI- MINOR There was no doubt the Mini was not simply another new car model destined to help change the face of motoring – it was a sensation on wheels.

The Mini is a small economy car produced by the English-based British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000.

The original is considered an icon of 1960s British popular culture. Its space-saving transverse engine and front-wheel drive layout – allowing 80% of the area of the car’s floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage – influenced a generation of car makers. In 1999, the Mini was voted the second-most influential car of the 20th century, behind the Ford Model T, and ahead of the Citroën DS and Volkswagen Beetle.

The first New Zealand-assembled Minis were rolling out of two plants in Auckland and Petone in 1960, in what was a rapid introduction of the then-revolutionary small car.

1915 Saxton B Roadster

1980 Mini 1000

Over the next 40 years, more than 60 000 New Zealanders would buy a new Mini. More than 5 million were produced world-wide.

With 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 22.7 seconds, a maximum top speed of 82 mph (132 km/h), a curb weight of 1367 lbs (620 kgs), the Mini 1000 has a 4 cylinder engine, petrol motor. Currently, in New Zealand, there are still 36 of the 1980 models around.

1963 MG

1969 Fiat Targa

1973 Valiant Charger

Hamilton Vintage & Classic Car Club A lovely sunny Sunday morning set the scene for a great display of classic cars at Classics Museum and Juke Box Diner car park December Classic Car Meet Hamilton.

As the morning progressed and the cars rolled in. The range of cars on display varied from modern classics to early 1900 vintage. The classic automotive-only boot sales had a good following as did the Juke Box Diner Buffet breakfast and coffee.

Mini Waikato had an early morning run finishing at the Classic Car meet with around 15 to 20 Minis in attendance.

The Duke Box Diner voucher for car of the day went to a very nice 1973 Valiant Charger. Classics Museum cash prizes were awarded as follows: 2nd placed car went to a very rare 1915 Saxton B Roadster. 3rd place went to a nicely restored MGB with a modern drive train, and in 4th place was a Fiat Targo. Trish and Terresa from the Mini Club also received prizes for being Lady Classic Car Owners.

Richard Moore, President HVCCC

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Save up to two thirds with a EECA Kiwi Homes Grant. Perform your own insulation assessment and we’ll offer an additional 10% discount off the retail price of home insulation.

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We offer a 10% discount off the retail price of retro insulation to super gold card holders. T&C’s appy.

THE INSTALLERS WAIKATO & BOP 07 260 3161 | enquiries@theinstallers.nz | www. theinstallers.nz

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Dig Deeper at Hamilton Gardens As more New Zealanders explore ‘their own backyard’ this summer, guided tours at Hamilton Gardens are growing in popularity.

Even if you’ve visited the Gardens a hundred times before, you’ll discover much more about their award-winning garden designs created over the last 30 years.

Guided tours are run every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 11am.

You can just drop in to join the tour, or secure your place in advance by booking online via the Hamilton Gardens website: hamiltongardens.co.nz The tour takes one hour and fifteen minutes, led by an experienced guide who will share their behind-the-scenes knowledge. You’ll see the most popular themed gardens and learn the secrets behind the designs.

The route can be adapted to be suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility aids.

Cambridge local, John, had this to say in his review on Trip Advisor: “If you are like us and have visited the gardens on many occasions then let me encourage you to take a guided tour on your next visit.”

“For $20 the tour takes you around a number of the themed gardens and explains the stories behind each of the gardens which gave me an understanding which I’ve never got before by just wandering around.

“I am amazed at the complexity of each of the gardens and the work that has gone into designing and bringing into existence something that is both beautiful and unique.”

A visitor from Wellington shared this feedback: “The $20pp charge was great value as our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and we got an excellent overview of the different gardens and the history.”

“Highlights were the minimalist Japanese gardens, our NZ native gardens with pataka (raised storeroom) and a wonderful crop of kuumara. The herb gardens – medicinal, culinary etc were fascinating. I also loved the surrealist garden with it’s weird and wacky moving trees. Brilliant. Highly recommended for all age groups including families.”

The charge is $20 per adult and you also receive a 10% discount voucher to use that day in the gift shop. Children aged 6-14 years are $13.50 each and must be accompanied by an adult. Kids five years and under are free of charge – the tour is suitable for pushchairs.

Expand the horizons of your book club, or do something a little different with your workmates – group bookings are welcome! Tours for groups of any size can be organised only 48 hours’ minimum notice needed. Make a day of it by ordering picnic hampers from the Hamilton Gardens Café or book a table overlooking the lake.

For more info, phone (07) 958 5940 or email bookings.gardens@hcc.govt.nz. Or just pop in: the Hamilton Gardens Information Centre is open 9am to 5pm every day.

Hamilton Zoo Welcomes Chimp Baby Want to Play Together Hamilton Zoo’s chimpanzee troop has welcomed an adorable new addition in December, just 24 hours after their first introduction to their new outdoor enclosure.

Mum Sanda delivered the baby overnight and Zoo Director Dr Baird Fleming said the Zoo team was delighted by the arrival.

“We were so over the moon with how wonderfully well the chimpanzees reacted to their new space and today we’re celebrating a birth,” said Dr Fleming. The troop will be given time to get used to their new space and to bond with the baby before zoo visitors can inspect the new enclosure and see the latest addition.

“It’s a really positive sign that Sanda felt so happy, healthy and safe in her new surroundings she was comfortable enough to deliver her baby.”

The new baby takes the number of chimpanzees at Hamilton Zoo to seven.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists chimpanzees as endangered on their Red List of Threatened Species.

Petanque is a fun, non-impact and competitive sport that couples can play together.

Join us at Tauranga Petanque: • Tuesday 4pm till late • Thursday 11am • Saturday 1pm Located at the Mount Club, 45-47 Kawaka Street, Mount Maunganui.

Boules and all the help you need are available ALL we ask is that you wear fully covered shoes 022 309 9143 petanquetauranga@gmail.com Tauranga Bay of Plenty Pétanque Association

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Hamil�on

DENNIS FIRE ENGINES AT HAMILTON FIRE STATION – Hamilton Fire Station – 1924 and 1916 Dennis fire engines. 1924 model on the left is the smaller of the two and is fitted with a 350 gpm (gallons per minute, or 1591 litres per minute) pump. Date c. 1924

HAMILTON COMEDY CLUB – The Hamilton Comedy Club was formed in 1899 and had several local notable members including Tom Jolly, A.S. Brewis and R.E. Manning. Date c. 1900

te in a boat rented A – F R Frear and Mrs Bathga BOATING LAKE ROTORO ing boats were Row ton Lake (Lake Rotoroa). from the bearded man at Hamil 0 191 c. te hour. Da available for hire at 1 shilling per

Tauranga

PILOT BAY, c.1950s – Summer holidays during the 1950s at Pilot Bay with Mauao in the background. Tauranga City Libraries Image Number: 01-336.

swimming in the – Holidaymakers playing and HOLIDAYMAKERS, 1960s e lower slopes of unganui, in the early 1960s. Th sea at Ocean Beach, Mount Ma ber: 06-164. d. Tauranga City Libraries Image Num Mauao are in the left backgroun

MOUNT MAUNGANUI CAMPING GRO UND, c.1960S – Taken from the lower slopes of Mauao in the 1960s, this photogra ph shows Moturiki Island [Leisure Island] on the left and Hopukiore [Mount Drury] to the right, with a beach camp in the foreground (Photo News 45). On the rever se of the photograph is written, ‘Excellent surf and miles of golden sands await the holid ay-maker at Mount Maunganui’.

Tauranga City Libraries Image Number: 99-1

9.

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Discover Something for Everyone in Tauranga’s Parks this Summer From our most well-known walking track at Mauao to some of our best kept secrets, Tauranga’s parks and reserves offer an incredible opportunity to enjoy our beautiful natural environment this summer.

With beautiful reserves, great for all kinds of activities, including walking, picnicking, biking, playing and more, now is the perfect time to get out and about in Tauranga.

“Tauranga and Mount Maunganui’s walkways are the ideal way to enjoy our beautiful environment and make the most of the outstanding scenery on offer,” says Mark Smith, Manager: Parks & Recreation. “From beach to bush, there is so much on offer in Tauranga’s parks and reserves that you would be hard pressed not to find a place to enjoy, whether you are looking to do something active or just for a little peace and quiet.”

One of our best-kept secrets is the Kopurererua Valley walkways, which boasts an excellent network of tracks linking the both the Lakes and the wider Bethlehem area to Cameron Road through bush

and alongside waterways. If you enjoy riding a bike, there are heaps of tracks around the city to discover. Huharua Harbour Park is a stunning subregional park located at the end of Plummers Point Road, Te Puna, and from this park you can link to the Omokoroa cycleway.

For any art lover, Tauranga is an outdoor gallery, packed with stunning street art created by wellknown local and international street artists. And there is more – think public art, sculpture and pottery locations, Maori art, art galleries, studios and organisations. Save the art lovers map to your mobile phone and off you go. It includes locations across Tauranga, including Mount Maunganui, you can either walk, cycle or drive to.

You can access all the maps on the Council website: tauranga.govt.nz/exploring

Huharua Harbour Park

Where can we take you this summer? Dine on fish and chips in Raglan, shop local at an outdoor market in Cambridge, or stop to smell the roses at Hamilton Gardens.

In 2021 you’ll need to have your SuperGold Card concession loaded onto your Bee Card to continue to receive free travel during off-peak hours. To add your SuperGold to your Bee Card visit beecard.co.nz. You can also visit us at the Hamilton Transport Centre counter during opening hours (Monday – Friday, 8am-4:30pm).

14

Humour Ann: I heard that you are a hypochondriac.

Stan: Well, my doctor says I’m not, but I spent 3 days reading about it on the internet and I have all the symptoms.

I tried having my mother’s phone disconnected, but the customer-service rep told me that since the account was in my dad’s name, he’d have to be the one to put in the request. The fact that he’d been dead for 40 years didn’t sway her. Then a solution hit me: “If I stop paying the bill, you can turn off the service, right?” “Well, yes,” she said reluctantly. “But that would ruin his credit.”

My husband and I were daydreaming about what we would do if we won the lottery. I started: “I’d hire a cook so that I could just say, ‘Hey, make me a sandwich!’”

Thomas shook his head. “Not me. I already have one of those.”

A manager of a retail clothing store is reviewing a potential employee’s application and notices that the man has never worked in retail before. He says to the man, “For a man with no experience, you are certainly asking for a high wage.”

“Well Sir,” the applicant replies, “the work is so much harder when you don’t know what you’re doing!”

Humbly Yours

Prime Recipe

Fudgy Flourless Brownies

By Chris Packer

The Christmas tree has been dismantled. The presents have been opened and the lights and decorations are packed away.

Suddenly the house seems bare, less colourful and joyful.

How can you bring back the colour? It can take the simplest change, like the glow of hand crafted coloured glass bottles and bowls. Beautiful Murano glass with its depths and layers of colour and the tall glass decanters of the 1970’s are popular again. The richness of handcrafted glass in reds, gold, blues, yellows and orange add stunning bursts of colour to a room, especially when displayed as a group.

More than a few scattered cushions colour highlights on a bigger scale make a statement, like a well placed piece of coloured furniture in the room. You can add colour drama to an existing piece of furniture by painting only the drawers. Adding light and reflection through large mirrors and placing lamps with coloured, textured shades create interest and colour to a room whether on or off.

You’ll find splashes of colour throughout the Humble shop where all the suggestions above are displayed and sold regularly.

The exterior of our little shop with its stripes and spots of multi colours reflect Humbles love of fun and colour. Although we wouldn’t suggest that the interior of your home get the same treatment; maybe the garden shed.

As I wrote this article one of my collectible records played in the background; The Seekers “loving you has shown me, colours of my life”. Seems so apt.

Loving, Life and Colour together.

A New Year. A fresh start.

Wishing you all huge happiness and small troubles.

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.

No flour? No problem.

The richest, fudgiest brownies you’ll ever bake don’t actually need it.

The key to keeping these decadent one-pot brownies flour-free is cornstarch, and a combination of cocoa powder and melted chocolate give them their incredible chocolatey personality.

INGREDIENTS • Nonstick cooking spray • ½ cup butter, cut into pieces (for faster melting) • ¾ cup chocolate chips • 1 cup granulated sugar • cup packed light brown sugar • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa • 3 large eggs, at room temperature • 1½ teaspoons vanilla • cup cornflour • ¾ teaspoon salt • ½ cup of chopped walnuts (or nuts of your choice)

METHOD STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with aluminium foil, allowing a 1-inch overhang; lightly spray the foil with non-stick spray. Set aside.

STEP 2: Combine the butter and chocolate chips in a medium saucepan over low heat. Heat, stirring frequently, until butter and chocolate are melted and evenly combined. Turn off the heat; whisk in the sugars and cocoa powder until combined. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Whisk in the vanilla. And finally, whisk in the cornflour, salt and chopped nuts.

STEP 3: Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until top begins to crack and a toothpick inserted into the centre of the brownies comes out with just a few moist crumbs, about 30-35 minutes.

Cool brownies completely in pan on a wire rack. Use the aluminium foil overhang to lift the brownies from pan and transfer to a cutting board; cut into 16 squares.

Prime Riddles 1. If there are three apples and you take away two, how many apples do you have?

2. I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even.

What number am I? 3. What has a head and a tail but no body?

Answers on page 23

8. I am the beginning of the end, and the end of time and space.

I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I? 10. Mr and Mrs Mustard have six daughters and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the Mustard family?

4. What has a bottom at the top?

5. David’s father has three sons: Snap, Crackle, and _____?

Last Sunday of Every Month (Except December - 2nd Sunday of the month)

Pahoia School, Esdaile Road 10am - 2pm Art & artisan products, fresh produce, plants, flowers, second hand goods, food, car boot and more!

6. Samuel was out for a walk when it started to rain. He did not have an umbrella and he wasn’t wearing a hat. His clothes were soaked, yet not a single hair on his head got wet. How could this happen?

7. If eleven plus two equals one, what does nine plus five equal?

9. What 4-letter word can be written forward, backward or upside down, and can still be read from left to right?

15

Soldiers at Te Waikato Sanatorium If you wander around Hautapu Cemetery in Cambridge, you’ll see headstones showing the names of soldiers buried far from home. This article explains why these soldiers, who survived the war, moved to Cambridge to battle against a disease that was ultimately to end their lives.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, tuberculosis ran rife through New Zealand.

It was the leading cause of death in settler communities.

As sanatorium treatment gained international recognition, the New Zealand Government constructed State-owned sanatoria to control the spread of tuberculosis by isolation.

Under his management, the costs of keeping each patient reduced by over fifty percent, and he wrote that Te Waikato “is now on a thoroughly good economic basis”.

Patients at the Sanatorium (Cambridge Museum 2958/29/1)

Convalescence for soldiers During World War I (1914-1918), Te Waikato treated convalescent soldiers, as well as other patients. Consequently, prior to the end of the war, Te Waikato Te Waikato Sanatorium, 1906 (Cambridge Museum 2958/29/24) came completely under military control. The number of beds was Open air treatment and exercise, in beautiful extended to 100 and it became a strictly male surroundings, were considered to have both institution by 1918.1 While it was mainly used physical and spiritual benefits to tuberculosis by soldiers, a small number of male civilians sufferers. Cambridge’s mild, dry climate also underwent treatment there. and the beauty of its natural surroundings In 1916, trouble arose when a letter to the were the perfect conditions to aid recovery.

Minister for Public Health was signed by 26 In 1903, the first public sanatorium in New patients. In the letter, patients wrote that “food, Zealand – Te Waikato – officially opened sanitary arrangements and general conditions its doors eight kilometres from the town are very serious obstacles to the recovery of of Cambridge. an invalid.” Several soldiers left as the result Much was done by local residents to support of what they considered unreasonable treatment the sanatorium and its patients. Fund-raising by medical superintendent Dr Bernstein. events were well attended in the town, and concerts for patients at the sanatorium were regularly arranged. A billiard table was provided by the Patriotic Society, the YMCA provided a gramophone and new organ for use by patients, and many other gestures of goodwill were generously provided by various local organisations.

Costs for Te Waikato, however, were unacceptably high. Dr Bernstein, a specialist in treating tuberculosis in London, was appointed medical superintendent in 1913.

A Sanatorium shelter in the bush (Cambridge Museum 2958/29/3)

According to the Waikato Independent of 22 June 1916, life had become almost unbearable as games and cards were largely prohibited, and in one instance a soldier was placed in solitary confinement for taking a stroll with a civilian patient. Dr Bernstein left not long afterwards. In 1919, Colonel George Melmoth Scott took over the position after Te Waikato came under full military control.

Closure In 1918, after the Pukeora sanatorium was built in Waipukurau, the Defence Department no longer had use for Te Waikato. Prior to its closure in 1921, Te Waikato returned to treating both male and female patients. The Waikato Hospital subsequently became the main centre of treatment for tuberculosis in the region. The hospital received the Russell Ward, four large shelters and the band rotunda from Te Waikato. The rest of the buildings and assets were auctioned to the general public. The site remains a reserve.

Soldiers in Hautapu Cemetery Dave Homewood of Cambridge compiled a list of soldiers who died while being nursed at the sanatorium and who are buried at Hautapu. They were Leonard Rawnsley, Ira Holdsworth, Patrick Heath, Percy Kettlewell, Herbert Strother, Albert Chitty, Edwin Ferguson, Samuel Stewart and Tipene Potatau. In an article for the Waikato Times dated 27 April 2018, Lyn Williams shared her research on each soldier.

To learn more, please contact the Cambridge Museum: www.cambridgemuseum.org.nz Facebook or phone 07 827 3319.

What Comes Next?

And as we peer out at the year ahead, following a busy Festive Season, and a surprisingly busy “quiet” period, complete with excursions no less, what lies ahead for the Modern Victorians?

Well, the future of course, in all its glory: rumbustious, slightly chaotic, and mysteriously unknown … except for the bits that have already been planned. This time-travel lark can be a trifle confusing after all, but we each do it, every day. A Medieval Faire in March (we are time-traveling, so why not); a campaign for Empire Day Weekend in May – battles but not batteries included; a lengthy campaign into Nelson in mid-October discussing, presenting, and yes, battling our way through Waterloo at various schools in the region (again, time-traveling); the Regiment’s delayed 35th Anniversary, now numbered the 35+1th (much more acceptable than a mere 36th); Armistice in Cambridge (at Karapiro) for the eighth year running, maintaining the traditions of inculcating the young and infecting them with our peculiar art form; and closing with the Hamilton Christmas Parade.

Quite the bag, and one will not mention the regular social gatherings, or what is planned for the following year. Or the one after that.

16

The fact that we have a plan for the next 3-5 years often comes as a surprise to outsiders, as what we do must surely be assembled at the last moment, very seat-of-the-pants style, which is still a part of what we do, as spontaneity is the sauce that adds flavour to life in general. However, as the world has changed, the Regiment has changed with it, adapted, while retaining the important core of what we do – traditions, values, goals towards which we strive – evolved, and created new traditions, such as marking Alf New Year (first Saturday in March). Which has meant planning, albeit with inbuilt flexibility for many things, including funding dates, and unexpected opportunities to get out and be seen.

So, as we peer into our crystal ball, with the positive assurance that the future is coming closer moment by moment, we are assured of two things: Pacifist Battles are most definitely a great deal of FUN, and if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, you should definitely take up a paper sword (once again, batteries neither included nor required) and give it a try!

Major Blunder, Officer Commanding Fifth Waikato Dragoons Regiment Northern Command, Alf’s Imperial Army Humour in Uniform. Phone 07 855 3851, email alfs@hnpl. net, www.alfsarmy.hnpl.net

February IN YOUR GARDEN

It’s time to harvest your rockmelons when the stem begins to break away from the fruit.

Maintenance of your late summer garden is high on the to-do list.

With plenty to harvest from your kitchen garden, it’s time to freeze and preserve all the fruits of your labour ready for the cooler months.

Edible Garden

Continue harvesting mid season pip and stone fruit tree crops, berries and citrus. Picking fruits every day will encourage late fruiting.

Pick vegetables every day to encourage late growth (especially peas, beans, eggplant, cucumbers and courgettes).

Got an excess tomato harvest?

Make your own sweet tomato sauce without the supermarket additives.

View all our preserving recipes online.

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

To set your fruit trees up for winter (especially citrus); use Tui Citrus Food for best results.

Sow seeds of winter vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beetroot, winter lettuce, brussel sprouts, spinach, carrots, leeks, and silverbeet.

Watering restrictions in your area? Try these tips: Keep planting last summer crops of new lettuce and herbs. If you have a greenhouse you can still plant tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers and peppers.

Flower Garden Applying Tui Mulch & Feed around the base of your plants can conserve up to 70% moisture in the soil and also suppresses weed growth.

• Soak your garden every four days, instead of short shallow watering • Water early or late to ensure the water gets to where it needs to • Water the roots not the leaves for maximum plant benefit • Use a sprinkler with a timer to deliver just the right amount of water.

Sow seeds of winter flowers like pansy, viola, primula, polyanthus, calendula, cineraria, poppies, lobelia, alyssum and snapdragon.

Use Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix for best results when sowing seeds.

Got a dry area that needs colour? Plant arctotis, calendula, gazania, osteospermum, portulaca, sedum and all types of succulents.

Continue to pick your flowering roses, dead head old flowers and spray to combat pests and diseases.

Lawns

Bulbs In warmer areas, place your bulbs in the fridge for 4-6 weeks before planting.

Early summer bulbs such as anemone, ranunculus, tulipsand daffodils arrive in store this month and can be planted in flower beds and pots. Bulbs can be planted now through to late autumn.

By planting continuously through this period, you will be rewarded with a continuous floral display come spring.

Water regularly and deeply during the month to keep your garden healthy and vibrant if conditions are still dry.

Summer can be brutal on lawns, so keep the weeds under control with Yates Weed & Feed for broadleaf weed control plus nutrients to give the lawn a quick green up.

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 17

Don’t Delay -

Give The Past A Future Today!

“You know your own life story best,” says Kate McCarthy, Personal Historian.

“It makes sense that the stories which shaped a person’s life are told by the person who experienced them first-hand. Important details can be lost when told again and again through the ages. Instead, why not preserve the richness of your own experiences through recording and writing them down?”

Since working fulltime interviewing and recording people’s life stories, Kate has become an advocate of preserving what some may think is ‘storytelling’.

“Many of us know someone in our extended family who told great stories or had a great story to tell. For me, it was my grandmother who grew up during the Great Depression and was in her prime at the start of World War Two. She always listened to ‘the wireless’ and couldn’t help herself but tell me stories from her past. I’m just grateful I whipped out the tape recorder when she was in full flight one Sunday afternoon and captured her story. That was twenty years ago. After she died, I made sure every member of the extended family had a copy. Now it’s considered a family treasure,” she says.

Since then, Kate’s appreciation for recording stories from the past has only grown. “In my opinion it’s a huge loss on so many levels if we don’t record stories from the past mainly because the rate of change is so fast and vast. Take doing the washing for example. In my grandmother’s day a fire was lit under a massive copper, filled with water and brought to the boil. Dirty clothes were dropped in and stirred before being taken out and rinsed in another tub of water.

Then each piece of clothing was manually fed through a wringer and hung out on the clothesline. This took all day. It was called ‘Wash Day’ for a reason. Today all it takes is a touch of a couple of buttons and hanging clothes out to dry is optional,” she says.

“What’s it going to be like for my young daughter when she does the washing in the future? Will a robot do it? Will anyone even know what a copper was?”

What concerns Kate most is that time runs away, and it can quickly become too late. “You couldn’t make some of this stuff up. Once people are gone their stories and the family history that only they know, goes with them,” she says.

Personal history goes beyond the names and dates on a family tree and records the stories completely unique to the individual. Photos and memorabilia bring the story to life and a book is created that becomes a family legacy.

“I’ve prepared life stories for war veterans and pillars in the community but as far as I’m concerned, everyone has a story to tell. You don’t need to have done anything ‘special’ or have been ‘famous’ – ‘ordinary’ is just fine. As Mark Twain said, ‘There’s no such thing as an ordinary life’.”

Yes! It’s time to tell the story of your life. www.forgetmenotlifestories.co.nz

www.forgetmenotlifestories.co.nz

It’s never too early to tell your story but it can easily become too late.

A personal history goes beyond the names and dates on a family tree, it captures stories behind the facts and infuses the past with vitality.

• Preserve family stories and memories • Help others discover the experience that shaped you

• Put a human face on historic events and share your lessons We make it easy for you to transform a head full of memories and a box full of photos into an enduring family heirloom.

Preserve your life story for generations in an elegant legacy book.

GIVE YOUR PAST A FUTURE TODAY AND CALL YOUR LOCAL PERSONAL HISTORIAN:

Kate McCarthy

P:021 024 54857 or 07 544 5365 E: kmccarthy@lifestories.net.nz

www.forget-me-notlifestories.co.nz 18

forgetmenotlifestories

www.forgetmenotlifestories.c

A tribute to fictional detectives on page and on screen

My Favourite Detective: Why Vera is so Much More than a Hat, Mac and Attitude Sue Turnbull (Senior Professor of Communication and Media Studies, University of Wollongong)

Vera stands on a windswept headland contemplating the disgruntled North Sea. She’s clad in her usual garb; the battered hat, the annoying scarf and the tent-like mac that swirls around her stocky legs and scruffy boots.

When I first met Vera Stanhope in the crime fiction of Ann Cleeves, I liked her, but not so much. It wasn’t until Brenda Blethyn brought her to life in the 2011 ITV series Vera that I became truly enamoured.

Ten seasons later, with series 11 already commissioned, Blethyn has made Vera well and truly hers through a variety of mannerisms that are easy to mock but hard to get right.

A woman with quirks Emily Taheny recently had a go on Sean Micaleff’s Mad as Hell but didn’t quite get there.

Vera is much more than the hat, the Columbo mac and the attitude.

Blethyn’s version of Vera includes a wide range of audible “hmmphs”, the interrogative “hmmmms?”, and a chesty cackle. Blethyn also does a lot with her eyes. There’s Vera’s hawklike gaze that can spot a lie at a hundred paces.

There’s the evasive sidelong glance when she’s got something to hide, usually her drinking or a sugar fix.

And let’s not forget Vera’s walk, that determined shortlegged stride that somehow gets her where she wants to be faster than anyone else.

Brenda Blethyn’s Vera teeters on the verge of comedy at times, but she pulls it off.

In terms of genre, Vera sits within the tradition of the elderly female sleuth. This would include Miss Amelia Butterworth who first appeared in Anna Katherine Green’s That Affair Next Door first published in 1897. Thirty years later, Miss Marple picked up her knitting and nosed onto the scene of crime.

The key difference is that Vera is no amateur, but a Detective Chief Inspector in charge of a major team whom she routinely berates like recalcitrant school pupils who haven’t done their homework.

No doubt about it, Vera can be rude and impatient.

She’s also partisan, favouring her young male colleagues over her female ones, while torturing Detective Constable Kenny Lockhart (Jon Morrison) with endless boring routine investigations.

Sometimes she’s hard to like.

But Vera also has extraordinary empathy with the hard done by in an area where people have been doing it tough for a very long time. The North East of England is a region of spectacular beauty, deeply scarred by the effects of the industrial revolution that ended with the closing of the mines and the shipyards in the 1980s. It’s also my home, although I left it a long time ago.

Places Of Imagination One of the now well recognised pleasures of reading crime fiction or watching a TV crime drama is the sense of place. Whether the location is evoked on screen or on the page there is always a significant relationship between the characters and the environment that has shaped them.

In a fascinating essay on the phenomenon of the TV detective tour, cultural heritage professor Stijn Reijnders outlines the difference between two sorts of places: the lieux de mémoire (places of memory, as described by Pierre Nora) and his concept of lieux d’imagination (places of imagination).

While the former are “real” locations that serve as places of pilgrimage to memorialise past events (think Gallipoli), lieux d’imagination are the places we visit that are associated with fictional happenings, such as the Morse tour of Oxford or the Wallander tour of Ystad.

Such forms of cultural tourism enable readers, or indeed viewers, to pass from the real world into the fictional one and back again on a journey of the imagination. As convincing as Reijnders’ argument might be, it doesn’t quite encompass how I relate to the landscape inhabited by Vera which evokes my own lieux de mémoire.

Vera’s stone cottage on the moors reminds me of our family holidays in Northumbria where I would ride the moors on a grumpy, rotund, Shetland pony that might well have been called Vera.

Every time Vera goes to Newcastle, I’m fascinated by how much cleaner the quayside looks since I last stood on the sooty pavement and contemplated the mucky Tyne bridge, the junior sibling of the Sydney harbour bridge: two bridges that connect where I was then with where I am now.

And I’m particularly delighted when Vera ends up in South Shields, my home town, and has an intense conversation with a witness or a suspect on the foreshore when there’s no reason to be outside except to capture the view.

Although I take great delight in the familiar locations, I’m constantly arguing with the geographic logic of the series while being surprised that it’s not raining – although in my memory it always is.

And so I oscillate, between the fictional and the remembered, with Vera as the character who tethers me to both through a narrative that takes me to another time and place where the answers will always be found by a smart, dumpy, older woman in a raincoat.

Swing Bridge and Tyne Bridge, Newcastle

19

5 Reasons To Go Veg In 2021 The NZ Vegetarian Society has offered 5 reasons why Kiwis should ‘go veg’ in 2021.

NZ Vegetarian Society spokesperson Philip McKibbin says plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular, and there are many reasons why Kiwis are making the change. “Around 15% of Kiwis are avoiding meat most or all of the time, and we believe that number is growing. It’s easy to see why. Vegetarianism and veganism are better for the animals, better for the planet, and better for your health. It’s a no-brainer!”

Here are the NZ Vegetarian Society’s 5 reasons for ‘going veg’ in 2021: 1. It’s better for the animals Just like us, other animals have interests and they deserve our respect. Making changes to what we eat can benefit them.

2. It’s better for the planet Animal agriculture is a leading cause of pollution to land and waterways. Here in Aotearoa, it also accounts for almost 50% of our greenhouse gas emissions.

By making changes to what we eat, we can reduce our impact on the Earth.

3. It’s better for your health Well-balanced vegetarian and vegan diets are typically healthier than diets containing meat – but it is important to do your research.

It is especially important for vegans to ensure that they get enough B12, as this is not naturally-occurring in plant foods.

4. It can be a lot cheaper Veg diets can be a lot cheaper than diets which incorporate meat. If you find some recipes you can make at home, using simple ingredients, it will not cost very much.

5. It’s enjoyable Going veg can be fun! If you enjoy cooking, you can experiment with new recipes. And there are so many exciting foods to try, from vegan pies to dairy-free ice cream!

New veg products are being released all the time.

You can read more about “going veg” on their website (vegetarian.org.nz) and take part in their 21-Day Plant-Based Challenge.

Never Leave Children or Pets in Vehicles The AA is warning motorists that with our current a hot summer, it’s more important than ever to keep children and pets out of parked cars.

AA General Manager Roadside Solutions Bashir Khan says there’s a common misconception that cracking windows will cool down a vehicle enough for it to be ok for a child or pet to stay put.

That parking in the shade will do the trick is another myth, Bashir says.

“On a 30°C day, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach 39°C in less than 5 minutes; in 30 minutes, it will be 49°C. This occurs even if the vehicle is parked in the shade with the windows down. Our message is simple: never leave your children or pets in your vehicle, even if you’re just nipping into a shop. If the purpose of your trip isn’t to take your dog somewhere, such as to the park for a walk, just leave them at home.”

Even with Kiwis driving less this year due to lockdowns, AA Roadservice has been to more than 470 emergency callouts for children locked in vehicles and more than 450 for pets.

What to do if you see a child or pet suffering in a hot car: • Call the Police, the AA or the SPCA immediately The AA immediately prioritises any calls involving children or pets locked inside a vehicle.

Roadservice Officers will respond, free-of-charge, regardless of whether the person is an AA Member or not. If the situation is deemed to be serious, the AA calls the Fire Service in case there is a delay in arrival The AA also support the SPCA with emergency callouts when they require lockout assistance.

To call the AA for emergency lockout assistance, call 0800 500 222 or *222 from mobile phones.

In a normal year, AA Roadservice attends around 760 emergency callouts for children locked in vehicles and 650 for pets, with peaks of more than 40-50 callouts a month for each during hot summers.

Tauranga Tasting Tours & Charters 17 January: Vilagrad Winery Sunday Lunch

18 February: Whitford Gardens & more!

4 February: Hamilton Gardens, Willowbrook High Tea

11-14 March: Martinborough Winery Tour

14 February (Valentine’s Day): Lunch The Brantry, Taupo

21 March: Delectable Delights, Zealong

07 544 1383 ❦ 0275 224 607 ❦ tgatastingtours@xtra.co.nz ❦ www.tastingtours.co.nz 20

Exhibition Celebrates Leading Artist Ruth Davey A retrospective showcase of works by veteran printmaker Ruth Davey is currently on display at Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato.

The exhibition exemplifies the range of Davey’s art and showcases her creative skills in a multitude of printmaking techniques, from etching to lithography.

Davey was born in 1923 and moved to Hamilton in 1960 where she first took to printmaking. In 1973 she helped establish printmaking classes at WSA School of Arts, teaching until the mid-1990s. She is now a life member of the Waikato Society of Arts, Friends of the Waikato Museum and Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand. With a career spanning six decades, Davey is a longtime stalwart of the Hamilton arts scene. Waikato Museum has already featured two of Davey’s survey exhibitions – Signs and Symbols in 1988 and Signs of Life in 1996.

The new exhibition features more than 50 of Davey’s works and covers a diverse range of subject matter. The artworks in the show explore Davey’s interest in culture, music, literature, people and the physical environment and range from figurative to symbolic and abstract. Curator Nadia Gush said Ruth Davey was a leading artist whose tremendous contribution to the region deserved to be celebrated.

“Since rising to national attention, Ruth Davey has tested the boundaries of printmaking as a conceptual and expressive practice. To do her career justice and to give our audience a rare opportunity to step inside her world view, we had to push our own boundaries to put together this extraordinary showcase in her honour.”

Violinist, Ruth Davey, Etching aquatint, 1982

Tauranga Libraries – Record High Borrows Traditionally, the first day the library doors open in the new year is the busiest, as holiday makers descend to one of Tauranga City Libraries to pick up the most necessary beach companion – a book.

“On 21 March, we issued 7312 items in one day. We couldn’t quite believe it, but then that record only lasted until 14 August and we issued an incredible 9998 items in one day.”

However, 2020 wasn’t a typical year. So when the doors opened on 3 January 2020 and 5,836 books were issued, the team had no idea that the busiest days were yet to come.

The challenges of COVID-19 meant that the libraries had to adapt their services and make more resources available online.

There was a significant increase in the use of e-lending platforms, and programmes and activities that were usually in person were held on social media or in virtual classrooms.

Libraries Manager, Joanna Thomas, said COVID-19 brought a new dimension and as soon as the country knew it was going into lockdown there was a flurry of activity at all Tauranga libraries.

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During lockdown, members also accessed over 16,000 eBooks and 40,000 newspaper articles. And new movie streaming platform, Beamafilm had 508 downloads in its first two weeks. Since then it has had over 7000 views. The team also managed to hold 286 events, programmes and presentations online with 31,198 people attending.

Over the two months, 368 new library members signed up online, bringing the total number of members to over 42,000.

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New Zealand’s 2020 Report Card: Doing Well But Could Try Harder Alexander Gillespie (Professor of Law, University of Waikato)

A year ago, who could have even imagined 2020 would turn out the way it did? A pandemic, closed borders, lockdowns, economic crisis, a delayed election … but here we are at the end of a year like no other. So, if New Zealand were to receive a report card for its performance in the year of COVID-19, measured against members of the global community, how might that look?

On the pandemic We take gold at being the best in the world at confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Foreign Policy publication.

Global business leaders agree, report The Guardian and others, citing a Bloomberg Media survey that looked at a number of factors including political stability, the economic recovery, virus control and social resilience.

A place to do business The World Bank says we are the best place in the world for doing business.

Transparency International says we are back to being top of the class (joint 1st with Denmark) in terms of being corruption free.

The Economist says our internet (in terms of affordability and access) is also ranked 2nd best, behind Sweden.

But not competitive Conversely, the last Global Competitiveness Report has us fall a spot, to 19th place.

Similarly, the Global Innovation Index, recorded New Zealand falling out of the top 25, to 26th position.

A peaceful place For peace, in terms of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation, Vision of Humanity says we are ranked 2nd best, behind Iceland.

The Index for Economic Freedom (which covers everything from property rights to financial freedom) has us as third best.

The Global Gender Gap Report notes an improvement of one place and lands us as the 6th most gender equal country.

The World Justice, Rule of Law, Project has us as 7th best in the world, up one place since last year.

A happy place Our happiness remains steady, as the 8th most cheerful place on the planet, says the World Happiness Report.

Reporters Without Borders has us as 9th best in the world, but we fell two places due to recent concerns about the quality and independence of some media outlets.

Our wellbeing In terms of falling out of the top ten countries, but still doing really well, the latest Human Development Index has us increase two places, to 14th, in terms of life expectancy, education and income.

That’s just ahead of the United Kingdom and the United States but well behind Australia in 6th place.

The environment and climate With regards to environmental concerns we do good, but not great. According to the Yale Environmental Performance Index, which measures environmental health and ecosystem vitality, our overall rank is 19th, noting we are falling, not rising, in this ranking.

In some areas, such as with fresh water and sanitation, we are only 26th in the line-up.

In terms of climate change, the Climate Change Performance Index has our country rise to 37th, a good jump from the previous position of 44th.

But the Climate Tracker Index is a little harsher, putting our response as “insufficient” despite our good intentions with our Zero Carbon law.

A democratic place The Democracy Index, which looks at considerations such as free and fair elections and influence of foreign powers, has us at 4th best in the world. Norway, Iceland and Sweden do better.

Excellence is also merited for our democracy in the Freedom in the World Index with a score of 97 out of 100, but we dropped one point due to the Christchurch terror attack.

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Jobs and earnings Unemployment hit 5.3% in September, which although a percentage point higher than where it was pre-COVID it’s not that bad, and certainly better than most comparable OECD countries at the moment.

As of the middle of the year, the medians for weekly earnings from wages and salaries, compared to last year, increased NZ$44 (4.3%) to NZ$1,060.

A drop in suicides One area better than expected is with the suicide statistics. Although New Zealand’s rate is high in terms of comparative examples, in the year to June 30, 2020, 654 people died by suicide compared to 685 the year before.

Although each one of these deaths is a tragedy, and we have a very long way to go as a country in this terrible area, this decrease (of 31 deaths, and a drop in the suicide rate from 13.93 deaths per 100,000 to 13.01) is moving in the right direction.

Crime …

In terms of crime, New Zealand Police figures show assaults have increased more than 14% on the previous 12 months but that’s partly due to the introduction of new family violence offences.

The amount of both burglary and theft has fallen.

… and punishment Slight progress is evident with our rates of incarceration. While high compared to similar countries, the good news is the number of people in prison has fallen slightly to 9,469 by the middle of 2020, down from 9,969 the year befofre.

The housing crisis The housing crisis, driven by demand outstripping supply and prices escalating much faster than comparable countries, is creating a fearful situation for those who cannot afford an abode, or the costs of it eats up too much of their money.

Homelessness, which was entrapping tens of thousands

People in poverty Probably the sharpest end of the poverty crisis is with children. Figures from the beginning of 2020 show about one in five Kiwi children (235,400) lived in relative poverty.

So while New Zealand’s report card contains a very impressive collection of clear excellences, and reflects some positive changes, we need to be vigilant and must seek to improve. There are a few areas of failure that must be addressed if we wish to claim we are the best country in the world.

Take Your Dog For A Walk Understanding your pet will involve some understanding with regards to how they think. Your fury friend will not be able to talk to you. However they will use their body language. If you can understand their body language you will be able to communicate with your dog or cat.

Dogs use various forms of sign language to communicate with their human counterparts. This often involves how they interact with you in a physical way such as running and jumping at you when they have not seen you for the greater part of a day.

They will need this interaction and need this for their own emotional well-being. Of course one of their needs involves going for a walk. This routine involves many parts of your dog’s nature.

They love to smell things and of course this helps to become secure in their surroundings.

Using their sense of smell is very important for them.

They will also need places to urinate. This is very important for them as this alerts other dogs and animals of their presence.

Dogs are very aware of other dogs. This is why they urinate at various places. This allows other dogs to be aware of their territory.

Allowing your dog to urinate at various areas when you take them for a walk is very important for them. Always allow them to do so unless it is very inconvenient.

Taking your dog for a walk is excellent for their well-being.

This exercise will also be good for your health. Remember you dog is only as healthy as you are.

DID YOU KNOW? One of the most famous movie lines in history was never said.

We often quote, “Play it again, Sam,” from Casablanca; but the real line is, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’”

Sliced bread was first manufactured by machine and sold in the 1920s by the Chillicothe Baking Company in Missouri. It was the greatest thing since… unsliced bread?

The Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, who lived in the 1700s, reportedly invented the sandwich so he wouldn’t have to leave his gambling table to eat.

It’s impossible to hum while holding your nose (just try it!).

Buckingham Palace in London, England, has 775 rooms, including 78 bathrooms.

Psycho was the first movie to show a toilet flushing.

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world: They kill more people than any other creature, due to the diseases they carry.

Keep Your Body Healthy and Strong in 2021 As a senior, your body and mind can often feel out of sync. You mind may be as sharp as it was 30 years ago, but there can be days, weeks, or even months where your body just seems to be fighting you and not feeling and reacting the way you wish it would.

Crossword Answers

Riddle Answers 1. You have two apples 2. Seven 3. A coin 4. Your legs 5. David 6. Samuel is bald!

7. 11 o’clock plus 2 hours = 1 o’clock 9 o’clock plus 5 hours = 2 o’clock 8. NOON 9. The letter e. End, timE, spacE, Every placE

Answers 1. Tennessee

9. Naples

2. Croatia

10. Abel Tasman National Park

3. Mercury 4. Augusta National Golf Club (Georgia) 5. Time 6. Nautical mile (it’s 1.15 miles) 7. Ambassador to the United States 8. Main Street

11. Sir Elton John

10. There are 9 Mustards in the family. Since each daughter shares the same brother, there are six girls, one boy and Mr and Mrs Mustard

Eat a Balanced and Healthy Diet One of the most important tips for seniors is to make sure they are eating a balanced and healthy diet. The food you eat will be responsible for powering your body, as well as keeping it healthy and helping to fight off viruses. Make sure you get enough vitamins, nutrients, and minerals each and every day. At the same time, items you’ll want to limit include high-sugar foods, alcohol, and foods high in fat.

Listen to Your Body Sometimes you will just have days where you feel a little stiff or low on energy, and it’s important you listen to your body on those days. You can take it easy and maybe not push as hard. As they say, age truly is nothing but a number, but these tips will ensure that you stay healthy and strong at any stage in your life.

Get Enough Sleep It’s hard for your body to react the way you want it to when you’re running on zero energy. Getting enough sleep is another trick to keeping your body strong and healthy. If you’re having a hard time falling asleep, or staying asleep, there are tips you can use. Things such as creating a sleep schedule that you stick to, cutting out food and drink that may keep you awake too close to bedtime, eliminating distractions from the bedroom, and even investing in a new mattress and/or pillow can all help.

Add Physical Activity to Each Day Physical activity should be done each and every day to help keep your joints limber and healthy.

That doesn’t mean you need to join a gym though; something as simple as going for a walk will give you that boost of activity you need.

There are also senior exercise and dance classes you can join that make adjustments to the various activities, making them safer and more effective for you to do.

12. SPecial Executive for Counterintelligence, Terrorism, Revenge, Extortion 13. Catherine Parr 14. Museum of Modern Art, New York 23

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