Marram Community Trust Outlook Winter 2022

OUTLOOK

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Popular Marram Molemap offer potentially saves lives.

• Health Benefit changes ease pressure on family budget.

• Baxter launches his very own blog.

• Spotlight on the Ruapehu District - and the value of time spent in the great outdoors.

• NZ Post looks ahead to a greener more sustainable future.

This country’s full of wonderful characters.

Passionate, driven people sharing their dream with all of us through many innovative, exciting tourism ventures.

Time and again as a journalist and more recently writing features on travel destinations and holidays for Outlook magazine, I have met ordinary people with extraordinary stories. Stories unlocked by simply saying hello.

Everyone has a story and all it takes to get to the bottom of it is to start the conversation.

So as you travel and holiday around New Zealand take the time to say hello to the people running the attractions you visit.

More often than not they’ll be Kiwis living the dream, turning a long-held passion or expertise into a livelihood.

They’ll often tell you there’s nowhere else they’d rather be.

People like Tongariro River Rafting’s Garth Oakden, a keen rafter who arrived on the Tongariro 28 years ago for a

day’s fun and never left. He met his wife, raised a family and forged a business attracting thousands of visitors a year.

Or Johnny Clark who skipped school as a young boy to help his Grandad fix craypots. You’ll find him today still up to his knees in Crayfish running the world famous Nins Bins crayfish caravan in Kaikoura.

The astrologers who met at work, found love under the stars and built their very own stonehenge, a popular tourist attraction in the Wairarapa.

And in this issue, crazy Dinosaur man Ian Moore who along with wife Sarah and kids run the country’s only Dinosaur Museum in Raetihi.

They’re to be found all over this great country of ours, real characters happy to share their knowledge and passion with all of us.

So just say hello – I guarantee knowing the backstory will make the experience a whole lot more fun.

Hugely popular MoleMap discount offer extended.

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Your eyes and ears on what’s happening at Marram – Baxter’s launched his very own blog.

Health Benefit changes driven by a need to ease pressure on the family budget and the results of last year’s Marram survey.

A holiday destination that's good for your wellbeing - the Ruapehu District Mayor on the value of time spent in the great outdoorsl

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Talking with Marram Support Team member, Kim Goodin about family, work and her lifelong crush.

Further delays for Wanaka build as supply issues continue.

: Sue Burgin email: sue.burgin@marram.co.nz

Etita Hoahoa - Design Editor: Destina Munro email: destina.munro@marram.co.nz

And our Netflix reviewers put Stay Close, Greenleaf and Bridgerton season two under the spotlight.

Content Editor - Etita Kōrero

NZ Post looking ahead to a greener and more sustainable future.

Skin cancer success story sees MoleMap discount extended Skin cancer success story sees MoleMap discount extended

Apartnership between Marram and MoleMap, offering discounted skin checks has potentially saved lives.

One hundred and eighty people have taken advantage of the promotion over the last two months.

As a result, 14 skin cancers have been identified.

Two Melanomas, 12 Basal Cell Carcinomas and two Squamous Cell carcinomas.

MoleMap’s Stephanie Larkin says it’s been a hugely successful promotion.

“We know skin cancer can be life threatening if left untreated, so it’s extremely positive that these skin cancers have been identified,” she says.

Discount extended as a result

The promotion has now been extended beyond the original May 31st cut-off date, until 31st July.

Many trying to book appointments are now facing a four to six week waiting time, so the extended discount offer gives them a chance to secure an appointment.

“Don’t give melanoma a chance. Book that appointment now,” Stephanie Larkin says.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders. Eighty thousand people are diagnosed every year, accounting for 80% of all new cancers according to the Cancer Society.

No best time to get that check

“Other than right now,” she says. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s the end of summer or midwinter.”

“Research shows five serious episodes of sunburn results in a 60% increase in damage to your skin."

What’s the deal?

Marram beneficiaries can take advantage of an $80 discount on a full body molemap, or a $40 discount on a skin check. Use the code MCHECK when booking and then use your receipt to request reimbursement of 60% of the cost through Marram.

And remember the offer which began on the 1st March has now been extended until the 31st July.

New benefit recognises growing need for mental healthcare

More Kiwis than ever are seeking help with their mental health, but it’s expensive and a shortage of psychologists is making it hard for them to get it.

According to Health Department statistics there’s been a 73% increase in the number of people accessing mental health care in the past decade.

Almost one-third of the population has had personal experience of mental distress, and 77% of us know someone who experiences mental distress.

However funding for mental health and addiction services has only gone up by 40% in that time.

In the more immediate past, a global COVID pandemic and nearly three years of lockdowns, have seen those statistics rise dramatically.

Throw increasing inflation and the resulting pressure on the family budget into the mix, and the time was right for the introduction of Marram’s new Mental Care benefit.

Under the new Mental Care benefit you can now be reimbursed for Psychology consultations and counselling at 60% to a family maximum of $400 a year. And remember, Marram Healthcare Benefits work alongside any health insurance you may already have, to save you even more money.

Marram’s Product Manager Debbie Shute, says benefits are reviewed every three years following the triennial beneficiary survey.

“We’re always reviewing, looking at what others are doing and looking at how we can help our community. We’re very aware of the increasing strain on family budgets and that people are really feeling the strain,’ she says.

“And of course the COVID effect has played a part. People are more conscious of health and mental wellbeing in particular.”

As a result the new Mental Care Benefit was launched on April 1st, replacing the little used Disability Benefit. Feedback to date has been very positive.

Meanwhile for help to get referred to a mental health professional in a timely manner, you might like to refer to an article about a mental health app called Small Steps which featured in last year’s Winter Outlook.

Dr Angela Lim, with a group of colleagues set up www.clearhead.co.nz to help young people struggling with mental health.

Back then she said we’d likely be looking at two million people requiring help with their mental health, post Covid.

Angela says the Small Steps app and Clearhead website aim for a 24 hour turnaround through relationships they have with the therapists who have signed up with them.

Family maximums increased to meet demand

In the 2022 survey, you told Marram you’d like to see family maximums increase especially for GP visits and prescriptions, so Marram sharpened the pen and an extra $100 has been added to GP visits and prescriptions.

But that’s not all. Physiotherapists, X-ray and Alternative Therapy, have also had maximums increased by $100.

And remember Marram Healthcare Benefits work alongside any other health insurance you might have, to save you even more money.

Easing the pressure on your family health budget –that’s what Marram’s all about.

Baxter's blogging now! From poster boy to scribe

There’s one guy who pretty much knows everything that goes on at Marram and without a doubt he’s one of the more popular team members.

Not content to grace the cover of Outlook and be the pet friendly face of the pet-friendly holiday homes, Baxter’s now got his own blog.

For the lowdown on Marram stuff – holidays and healthcare, hot Marram news and a delicious slice of Baxie’s private life, follow Baxter Loves, his brand new blog.

Alerts to new posts will be notified on Marram’s Facebook page, Instagram account and email.

So for a look at the world through Baxter’s eyes follow his blog.

You’ll find the link on: marram.co.nz - Baxter's Blog.

No longer just a winter

Apost COVID holiday in the Ruapehu District is just what you need according to the Ruapehu District Mayor, Don Cameron.

“There’s huge appreciation now, about the value of time spent in the great outdoors,” he says.

“There’s a sense of freedom here and the air is fresh. We took these things for granted before but they’re now considered really good for our mental health.”

He says the area which is rich in pre-European and colonial history also boasts a palpable spirituality.

“Ascending Ruapehu in a chairlift on a blue sky day, it’s all around you.”

6,730 k’s of scenic beauty and adventures

Ruapehu is one of New Zealand’s largest districts by land area, but has one of the smallest permanent

populations, mostly rural, and geographically well spread.

The region boasts three mountains, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu; two National ParksTongariro which is a world heritage park and the Whanganui National Park; and several major rivers including the Tongariro and Whanganui.

It’s bang slap in the middle of the North Island, an easy four hour drive from Wellington and Auckland but much closer for those from Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Whanganui wanting to holiday closer to home.

No longer just a winter destination

Summer visitor numbers now exceed winter numbers with cyclists, trampers, fishers and families now arriving all year round to explore the mountains,

winter destination

walk the hugely popular Tongariro Crossing, fish the rivers (graded best fishing in the world), hunt and cycle some of the best cycleways in the country.

The two day Pureora Forest ride from Waitomo to Ruapehu attracts 15 to 20 thousand people a year.

A more rugged ride is offered with the Mountains to Sea cycleway, connecting two national parks and running alongside the Whanganui and it’s tributaries.

Or if an easier ride appeals, the half day Ohakune Coach Road trip might be your jam. The very popular ride takes in the Tongariro world heritage area, colourful pioneer stories and interesting viaducts.

It’s still a hugely popular winter holiday spot though and the small town of Ohakune comes alive at this time of year, when skiers from north and south descend on the town to take advantage of two great ski fields Whakapapa and Turoa.

A holiday destination that’s good for your wellbeing.

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Photo credits:

Marram’s Mountain Village Chalets

There are three holiday homes in Ohakune. The homes sleep eight to ten people. They're warm and well appointed for family groups, ski groups or adventurers. There’s a dishwasher, heat pumps and a drying room. Conveniently located just 30 minutes from the Turoa ski field. Three and a half hours from Wellington and an hour forty from Taupo. You can book them up to 12 months in advance.

Photos: previous page: Hikers in Tongariro National Park.

This page: Sky Waka Sunset; early morning fly fishing.

Page: Ohakune Carrot Park.

MtRapehu.com

“Take only photographs – leave only footprints.” (Tiaki promise)

Mayor Cameron is proud of the relationships his council has forged with local iwi and says visitors now benefit from some great partnerships around trails, cycleways and river use.

New Zealand made world headlines in 2017 when the Whanganui river was declared a living being, the first river in the world to be declared such.

“We’re currently working with Maniopoto and Regional Council on bringing back passenger rail between Ohakune and Taumarunui.”

The Mayor says a greener future is always front of mind and visitors benefit from not only work on the environment and waterways, but a great network of EV charging stations throughout the district.

What’s with that Carrot Capital moniker ?

The Mayor has no problem with it.

“Absolutely not. We produce 30% of the country’s carrots after all.”

He says the giant carrot that stands guard in Ohakune was actually a film prop picked up in Wellington and hauled back to the town in a bid to capture the imagination, and put the town back on the map after the 1966 eruption adversly affected it.

“Since then the locals have raised half a million dollars and helped fund the family friendly Carrot Park, which attracts up to 500 people a day at weekends.

So with a Carrot Park, the world’s first living river, internationally acclaimed fishing, a world heritage National Park, three mountains, history by the bucketload and three fabulous Marram holiday homes, a holiday in the Ruapehu district’s well worth considering.

It seems there’s no such thing as a bad day at the office for the man who founded Tongariro River Rafting.

As long as he’s on or near the river, Garth Oakden is a happy man. This legendary outdoorsman came to the mighty Tongariro River 28 years ago to do some rafting and never left.

He met his wife Leigh in Turangi and together they founded the business and raised a family, all within cooee of the river.

If you’re staying in Marram holiday homes in Ohakune, Tūrangi or Taup Ō , a visit to Tongariro River Rafting offers something for everyone. It’s a beautiful scenic one hour-fifteen minute drive through National Park from Ohakune and just 45 minutes from Taupo.

The thrill of white water rafting

Once there, Garth and his team of guides have a range of options to get you on the river enjoying the thrill of white water rafting, no matter your level of experience. If you’re lucky, you might even have the Legend at the helm.

In the 32 years since the business started, about 300 thousand people have taken the opportunity to raft down the Tongariro.

“Every time you go down the river it’s a journey of discovery. You cruise through the environment and leave no footprint,” he says.

Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga at the centre of the operation

These values are important to Garth and his team.

“We love to welcome people to the place we live and share our passion for the river and rafting and we take our guardianship responsibilities seriously,” Garth says.

They have DOC funding to do Wilding Pine work along the river and also co-founded the Blue Duck Whio Project back in 2009, after a survey showed there were only 25 birds left in the catchment area. These birds who grace our $10 notes are one of only three breeds who can survive on fast flowing rivers.

Thanks to a trapping system to kill rats and stoats, there are well over 300 birds today.

There’s a Blue Duck rafting trip on offer where you can raft up the river, checking traps and stopping to study the birds.

https://trr.co.nz/rafting-adventures/blue-duckexperience/

Photos: Previous page: Tongariro River rafters enjoying calm water.

This page clockwise from top; Blue ducks sighted on one of the rafting trips; taking a break for a milo.

Photo credits: trr.co.nz/rafting-adventures/

‘Happiest in the middle of nowhere’

When asked about that legendary status and how he achieved it, Garth laughs it off.

“Round here, if you’re seen in the same place more than three times you get that title, and I’ve been here since 1989.”

After leaving school in Palmerston North, he says his Dad asked what he was going to do with his life. “When I said I’m going rafting he asked how that was going to get me far. Well, there’ve been a few bumps along the way, a bit like being on the river, but here we are. Happy and successfully doing what we love. Does it get better than that?”

And he has no plans to leave. Ever.

Book Online: www.trr.co.nz

Or Phone Us: (07) 386 6409

Freephone: 0800 10 10 24

Or Email : info@trr.co.nz

Country's biggest army base imposing gateway to Ruapehu District

And standing guard at the southern gateway is the 'must see' Waiouru Army Museum.

For 44 years, the fortress like Museum has hosted holidaymakers and travellers passing through the small town of Waiouru at the base of Mt Ruapehu.

There’s no better place to take time out for a pit stop, hot food and a fascinating insight into New Zealand’s military history.

Something for everyone

The museum’s Marketing and Visitor Experience Manager, Nicola Bennet, says a visit to the Army Museum has wide appeal, catering for family groups, students, budding historians and has become increasingly popular as interest in our military history grows.

“Family history research is huge these days and we have an amazing research library and archives available along with service records. We’re happy to help people interpret those.”

Family groups with children are well catered for Nicola says, “There’s a purpose-built Kids HQ with lots of interactive play. Kids can try on uniforms and enjoy playing in the various fortifications and even climb aboard a replica Unimog truck.”

The Taonga Trail, a new activity, keeps the younger ones amused while adults explore more complex exhibits. The trail involves having to find difficult things and answer questions about artefacts and is proving very popular.

Death Ship exhibition to be extended

The Death Ship – a Fateful Journey has been very popular, but due to COVID restrictions many who want to, haven't been able to visit. As a result it’s likely to be extended through until December.

It tells the story of a troop ship in 1918 carrying reinforcements to Plymouth towards the end of the war.

The ship stopped at Sierra Leone in Africa to load supplies, but unknown to those onboard, also took onboard a flu virus which was killing locals.

In the two weeks it took to get to Plymouth, 90% of those onboard, had been infected.

Twenty three people died.

FAQ’s

Prices: Family (2 adults and school age children) $35

Adults $15

Students and Seniors $10

There are also daily guided tours for a few extra dollars. The Mess Tent cafe open 9 – 4 daily.

More than the sombre experience you might expect

Chanelling your inner Dinosaur

I’ll never look at birds the same way again. Who knew? Sixtysix million years ago, they were dinosaurs.

The little Sparrow hopping around my balcony is actually the most successful animal that ever existed. Smart enough to evolve through a catastrophic natural event that killed the big dinosaurs and still populate the world today.

Palaeontologists now know that T Rex was fully feathered and not the scaly creature we imagined.

Which is why, in a nod to their ancestors, you’ll find two Rainbow Lorikeets greeting you when you visit The Dinosaur House in Raetihi.

Realising the dream

The Dinosaur House is a family business run by Ian and Sarah Moore and their two children, out of a 1922 heritage building they found on TradeMe.

“Locals were intrigued about what was to become of the landmark property, asking if we were going to run a BnB or hospitality venue,” Ian says.

“It took us 10 years to get the museum set up, and the end result came as a big surprise.”

Until two and a half years ago, Ian had been working as an animator at TV3 while sourcing and finding Dinosaur memorabilia from all over the world.

Just before the first COVID lockdown, the doors opened at New Zealand’s first Dinosaur Museum.

“I figured if people would divert off the beaten track to see Fred and Myrtle Flutey’s Shell House in a small town down south, they’d surely

come to a Dinosaur House 10 minutes out of Ohakune,” Ian says.

‘Legit big dinosaurs in Raetihi’

The Moore's love their new life, and so it seems, do many others.

It’s been called the ‘best thing in the central North Island – legit big dinosaurs in Raetihi’ by enthusiastic reviewers.

Ian admits his wife and kids aren’t quite as crazy about the prehistoric giants as he is.

“Sarah tolerates the dinosaurs but isn’t the biggest enthusiast,” he laughs.

But we all get to spend quality time together and the kids even help front of house at the weekends.

Plenty to do in the House of Dinosaurs

The animatronic Dinosaurs that move and roar are the most popular exhibits, but there are also genuine skeletons and fossils along with moulds of actual dinosaur bones.

The rooms are split into carnivores, omnivores and herbivores.

There are retro dinosaur video games, and a couple of excellent documentaries to watch. The outside area is growing with the arrival of new exhibits and a sandpit where kids can brush sand to unearth skeletons is also very popular.

What is it about dinosaurs?

Ian thinks it might be about size for little people.

“Children are small and dinosaurs are big. But they’re safe because parents tell them they’re extinct and not around anymore.”

He says his obsession began very young.

“I made plasticine dinosaurs and then used Dad’s Super 8 camera to animate them.”

He says a light goes on when people realise these creatures, which look like movie special effects, were once living breathing beings.

So if you didn’t think you were interested in dinosaurs you might change your mind after spending time with Ian and the family at The Dinosaur House.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am – 4 pm weekdays 10 am – 5 pm weekends

Costs: Children and Seniors $10 Adults $15 Family groups 10% discount

Photos: Left page: Baby T-Rex; Model Triceratops. This page clockwise from top: Mosasaurus; Juvenille T-Rex Skeleton; The Carnivore Room. Photo credit: dinosaurhouse.co.nz

PUTTING THE WELFARE OF KIWIS FIRST

Profiling NZ Post

The iconic company which has been part of the local landscape since 1840, is moving into the future with the welfare of Kiwis and the planet firmly front of mind.

NZ Post Group Sustainability Manager Dawn Baggaley (pictured right) is proud of the work they’re doing in this space.

“We touch a lot of people right across New Zealand and making a sustainable future is the right thing to do,” she says.

“We’ve been here since the founding of this country and we need to protect our climate, environment and communities.”

Setting hefty goals to ensure a sustainable future

The Affiliated Organisation at the heart of the Marram story has set an impressive science-based goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.

The target’s been verified by an international body which says this is what NZ Post can do.

“We deliver things, so 95% of our emissions come from this area. We‘re shifting our fleet to renewable energy and aim to be 100% clean by 2025,” she says.

Many of us are already familiar with the 400 award winning electric Paxsters being used by posties to deliver mail.

50% of the courier van fleet is already running on renewable energy

NZ Post is also supporting it’s contractors with EV incentives and eco-friendly leasing options.

Dawn Baggaley says like many others, they’re experiencing supply chain issues and it's slowing down what they want to do, but the aim is to be 100% electric by 2025.

Carbon neutral packaging

“We’re aware consumers are concerned about single use plastic and waste,” she says.

Aware of the need to keep parcel content safe so it doesn’t spoil and add to the waste problem, environmental consultants Thinkstep were engaged to analyse the impact of the bags from the beginning to end of life.

As a result, new packaging, 100% recyclable and made of 80% recycled content by a company in Hamilton, was introduced last year.

Soft plastics to fence posts

Yes - your plastic waste could become someone else’s fencepost thanks to NZ Post.

Simply put it into a pre-paid bag which NZ Post will collect and send to Future Post where the magic happens.

According to Dawn, NZ Post staff are very proud of the work being done in this space.

She says it’s not only customers wanting to partner with delivery companies who share their goals, people applying for jobs these days ask about your sustainability practices.

“Lots of people want to work for an organisation trying to be sustainable.”

Into the future

Looking ahead Dawn says they’re now looking at their heavy freight operation and about to trial two hydrogen trucks to see how they work. Work will continue with NZ Post contractors to get them on-board with the sustainability message.

And through the Future Fit programme, staff will be empowered and encouraged to become climate change advocates at work, at home and in their communities.

Referral

Starts 27th May to 13th June, 5 pm

GOOD MATES SHARE GOOD NEWS!

With increasing pressure on the household budget, Marram is able to help financially with day to day healthcare expenses and holiday accommodation in 150 holiday homes (many pet friendly) throughout New Zealand at below market rates.

You know how well this works for you so Marram ask you to share that opportunity with as many of your colleagues as possible, rewarding you both in the process.

SPREAD THE WORD WITH YOUR MATES:

If they sign up mentioning your name, you’ll both receive a gift voucher of your choice. How about $40 to spend on the next family shop or fuelling up; or $50 towards your next fantastic family holiday.

DON’T FORGET TO TELL THEM:

• Partner and children are automatically included;

• $50 birthday gift towards a Marram holiday - every year;

• Healthcare benefits of over $6,400 per year;

• Works with your health insurance;

• Includes pre-exisiting health issues;

• And more...

Go to marram.co.nz and sign up today!

*Terms and Conditions

Please make sure to tell your workmate that they will need to choose “Referred by Marram Contributor” when asked how they heard about Marram during sign-up.

Standard Marram T’s & C’s apply

Meet Kim Goodin from Marram’s Support Team

By Sue Burgin

She’s tall, statuesque almost, always smiling and has a great collection of outrageously colourful earringsthink Annie Lennox of Eurythmics fame.

But my quest was to go beyond the obvious and find out what makes Marram’s Support Team member Kim Goodin tick.

I’m always surprised at the twists and turns an interview can take when you get someone talking about their lives, but I didn’t envisage an interview with Kim would end with us both singing Cliff Richard’s Devil Woman, you know, the one with evil on her mind.

The best popstar ever!

Yep! Bar none according to Kim.

“I still listen to him. I really like his energy, his story, his christianity. I read his autobiography and watch all his interviews,” she says. “ I had his calendar on my wall and still remember vividly Mum and Dad taking me to see him in concert at the Michael Fowler Centre in 1988.”

So where did it all begin?

This self proclaimed Kiwi was actually born in England.

Kim arrived in New Zealand in 1981 as an 11 year old with her mother father and brother and settled in Papakowhai north of Wellington. She laughs as she remembers how 18 months later the family packed up and returned to the UK, uncertain about the decision they’d made.

“However as soon as we touched down at Heathrow Dad said he knew we’d made the wrong decision. It was an expensive way to make our minds up.”

Three months later they were back.

“I still like to look back at the old photos of distant relatives, and visit the old country, but I’m a Kiwi now,” she says.

“Family is everything for me”

When asked about what’s important to her, Kim is adamant it’s family.

“We’re a small family but we live close by and they’re at the centre of everything I do.”

Family consist of husband Shane, daughter Daisy, Beans the Cat and her Mum, and brother’s family.

“I love nothing better than time spent with my teenage daughter Daisy and Shane, walking on the beach, having coffee or icecream and oh yeah, I love shopping with my Mum.

Love blooms in the workplace

Work is also something that gives Kim great pleasure. She’s been working at Marram in various guises for 22 years.

After leaving school at 17 she went to work at the ANZ bank.

“The banks at the time were going round colleges recruiting young staff, so along with several friends I signed on,” she says. Unbeknown to her, Shane her future husband also signed on, but they didn’t actually meet until they attended the same new entrants course.

She wasn’t impressed on that occasion but when they met again a couple of years later their love story began.

That was 30 years ago so I had to ask about their winning formula.

“Selective hearing and listening skills,” she jokes.

“But seriously we’re a good team. Our strengths and weaknesses balance each other out. We click.”

Her happy place. Kim (left), daughter, Daisy and husband, Shane.

Photo: Destina Munro

The Marram years

Like so many of Marram’s staff Kim’s a long stayer. Twenty two years long in fact.

She started in a part time position in an office admin job, but once her foot was in the door Kim moved on to do property management working with the volunteers and looking after the holiday homes. The arrival of Daisy saw Kim reduce her hours and join the Support Team allowing her to better manage home and work life. Kim says her parents also worked for Marram for a few years as volunteers at Marram’s Plimmerton holiday home.

When asked about what keeps you in the same job for 22 years Kim was clear.

“It’s the employer. Who you work for. What that organisation represents. Marram looks after us.”

What lies ahead Kim?

A trip back to Blighty for Christmas 2023.

“We havent been back since 2018 when we took Daisy for the first time. It was fabulous. I wrote ahead to the occupiers of my old childhood home who agreed we could visit. I also took Daisy to the Reserve where we played as little kids and was thrilled to find the initials carved into a tree by my brother and me were still there."

"And more fabulous holidays in Marram holiday homes."

Kim says she’s pretty much visited every site over the years.

Oh and baking in her brand new kitchen in the process of being installed as we spoke.

Cheers Kim we’re all looking forward to tasting the delights you produce in that lovely new kitchen.

Further delays for Wanaka build as supply issues bite

Marram’s new build in Wanaka has been hit by the ongoing disruption in building supplies affecting construction projects throughout the country.

CEO Glenn Clark says it’s hugely disappointing. “It’s an awful situation. You read about it in the media. It’s affecting everyone and Marram is as affected as everyone. We’re gutted we won’t have the five homes open in time for the ski season.”

Glenn says supply of GIB was promised for the 12th of July, then the end of July and now it’s open-ended. Meanwhile workers onsite are pressing on with decking and landscaping where possible.

But there’s better news from nearby Queenstown

Both of the Man Street units in Queenstown have had a makeover and are open for the winter season.

Property Manager Fiona van Eyssen says they're freshly painted and have had furniture upgraded and are looking great.

Winter watching on

STAY CLOSE - NETFLIX

Reviewed by Property Manager – Fiona Van Eyssen

This British Mystery drama series is based on a 2012 Harlan Coban novel.

I always love a mystery crime and with James Nesbitt as one of the leading characters I knew it was going to be series worth watching. I wasn’t wrong. I was captured from start to finish and in my opinion it is binge worthy, just sometimes I am time poor!

Stay Close is about Megan Pierce, a suburban mum living in the fictional suburb of Livingstone and hiding a murky past. She’s found her soulmate in Dave and they have three great kids. Other major players include Ray Levine who was once a talented documentary photographer. Losing the woman he loved changed him. Now he is in a dead-end job, playing a paparazzo-forhire, pandering to rich kid pseudo-celebrities. Michael

Broome (James Nesbitt) is a detective haunted by a cold case from seventeen years ago involving local husband and father Stewart Green who disappeared without trace. Green's wife still waits for his return.

When another man goes missing on the anniversary of Stewart’s disappearance, Broome takes the case in the hope of exorcising his demons. Lives are in danger of being ruined, relationships splintered, as Broome’s investigations open old wounds and stir up past memories threatening to expose the truth for everyone to see.

Weaving their way through the spaces of what binds these three lives together are a couple of colourful psychopaths with their own agendas.

If crime mystery is your genre this is definitely one to put on your list!

Reviewed by Fiona Van Eyssen

My aunt suggested we watch this and I’m glad she did.

We thoroughly enjoyed Greenleaf and it didn’t take long to get through the five seasons. The acting is so good you feel like this is real life drama! If you enjoy family drama’s this one’s for you.

It follows the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family, their palatial family mansion compound, and their sprawling Memphis megachurch with predominantly African-American members. There’s no shortage of scandals, secrets and lies.

Bishop James Greenleaf (David) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Whitfield) are the patriarch and matriarch of the Greenleaf family. Grace Greenleaf (Dandridge), their estranged daughter has returned home after 20 years following the mysterious death of her sister, Faith.

There are two other children and their lives intertwine bringing many trials and tribulations. Deep down, this family loves each other, but secrets, lies, adultery, sibling rivalry and other issues swarm the family as they try to keep themselves together.

Many try to run the family out of their beloved church but they lay it all on the line to keep each other tight and close like any family.

Executive Producer Oprah Winfrey also makes a cameo appearance in some of the episodes.

It is hard not to binge watch as you want to know what happens next!

BRIDGERTON - NETFLIX

Reviewed by Sue Burgin

Based on Julia Quinn’s bestselling novel, The Viscount who loved me, Season Two centres on the elder Bridgerton son, Lord Anthony, and his search for the perfect wife.

What could go wrong? Well plenty it seems.

His standards seem impossible to meet until sisters Kate and Edwina Sharma arrive from India for the London season.

Kate’s mission is to see her younger sister happily married and it seems Lord Bridgerton’s the answer until she hears he’s not looking for love in marriage – well he wasn’t until he met her (Kate).

And so the scene is set for another series of the steamy blockbuster which broke Netflix records in season one..

Such love-hate relationships have been at the heart of many great period dramas. Think Lizzie Bennett and Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.

Lord Bridgerton and the elder Miss Sharma and their fiery path to love is excruciatingly slow in parts, but does achieve what seemed impossible in the first series, turning Lord Bridgerton into a likable romantic lead.

Throughout the second series the sub-plot of secret scribbler Lady Whistledown continues as the society

she salaciously writes about tries to uncover her identity.

Are they successful? My lips are sealed.

Suffice to say Netflix has already renewed Bridgerton for seasons three and four.

Will I be on the couch, tea in hand , excited for the next instalment?

Of course I will.

Apologies for delays in response times experienced by everyone posting healthcare requests to Marram recently.

Issues with the mail delivery system meant Marram wasn’t able to meet the usual response time of 10 days.

A way to avoid such delays in the future is to login to the Marram website and send your request using the reimbursement portal found in the Healthcare drop down menu.

Any problems doing this contact the Support Team on 04 801 2920.

They’re happy to help.

Gliding into the future

Imagine being able to travel direct between New Zealand’s many coastal cities on low-flying electric “Seagliders” for less than it costs for a return taxi trip to the airport.

The Seaglider, a cross between a hydrofoil and a battery powered seaplane, could ferry people between Wellington and Christchurch in just one hour at a cost of $60.

Such a service came closer to reality recently when Ocean Flyer, a business founded by a Napier businessman and former Air Force chief put down an initial million dollar deposit on a $700m order for 25 Seagliders being developed in the United States.

Photo: Courtesy Regent