Kaipara Lifestyler, April 4th 2023

A donation into good hands

he says.

The future of waste in Kaipara

u by Andy Bryenton

Despite massive indicated support for an end to plastic-bag rubbish collection, the Kaipara District Council has been compelled to retain the status quo, as government law changes rewrite the rules on waste.

“This topic has been very important to me during my time in council, and has been one of the top services I receive feedback on,” said Councillor Eryn WilsonCollins. She has served alongside two different mayoral administrations and seen the issue of waste management

occupy several years of debate and consultation in that tenure.

“It’s disappointing and frustrating to think about all the long-term impacts. We talk about growth and Aucklanders moving here, but we struggle to provide the amenities they are used to,” she said.

“If our constituents are not happy with something, then we have to change it,” said Councillor Ash Nayyar.

However, change has been complicated by a change of the rules from Wellington.

continued on page 6 …

p Ron Manning (second from right, in green) is a new lifetime member of the Dargaville Menz Shed after his donation of precision workshop equipment. Mr Manning was an electrician by trade, spending many years working with Northpower. However, his association with target shooting was his hobby outside work hours. He learned to operate a milling machine and lathe to craft precision gun parts. With an eye for precision and a

thorough knowledge of what is needed to strike the bullseye, he helped others achieve accuracy in their sport for many years. Recently, he decided it was time to hang up his tools, but the thought of abandoning the machines he’d used for so long was not a happy one. Then he thought of the Menz Shed. “Donating these things to the men here means they will be used for years to come,”

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p It was a day of sunshine and excitement trackside last Sunday week as the Dargaville Production Stockcar club hosted the West Coast Championship. Cars in a variety of classes went head to head on the dirt track to the delight of a large crowd, with racers from the novice category and the ‘jalopies’ all the way up to custom-built V8 stock cars.

Representing Aotearoa

p Young footballer Tulanga Tuutafaiva was selected to play for Aotearoa Māori in the Junior Oceania Cup in Auckland last month. The team played six games against other Pasifika teams, including Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, NZ Invitation, Fiji and NZ Barbarians, bringing in four wins, one draw and only a single loss. Tulanga was awarded the player of the tournament award for his team.

Keeping in stride

“Quality

p Paparoa’s annual Fun Walk/Run attracted 75 participants of all ages to the event, walking or running the four and five-kilometre trails. “The Paparoa Sport and Recreation Association, which ran the event, put on a barbecue afterwards with hot chips provided by Paparoa Lions. Thanks to everyone who supported the event, especially Sport Northland, Paparoa Lions, local landowners and all who came along,” spokesperson Libby Jones said.

Tasty community donations Separation of committees complete

u by Andy Bryenton

Ruawai College’s year seven and eight cooking classes have begun sending out meals to local senior citizens, turning the dishes they make into donations.

“Students who have opted to participate in the meals on wheels module are giving back to community members by making meals that are delivered by staff to older members of the community at the end of the day,” says assistant to the principal Tyla O’Sullivan. “The feedback so far has been really positive.”

The programme echoes the work of the original Meals on Wheels charitable organisation, which began during the darkest days of the second world war in England. Pensioners unable to leave their homes during the air raids of the blitz relied on community members to bring them hot food, seeing them through those dangerous times. Later adopted in New Zealand to help care for isolated older people, the Red Cross took up the cause. For seven decades, it has provided mobile meals to seniors and those unable to shop or cook for themselves.

In a parallel effort, Ruawai College students are now turning their cooking classes into an opportunity to give back. Lessons learned in self-reliance around the kitchen have, as their inevitable outcome, many hot and healthy meals prepared. In this way, students are learning to eat healthily and plan a household food budget and also caring for older folks in their neighbourhood. ¢

u by Andy Bryenton

The membership of separate Harding Park and Pou Tu o Te Rangi committees was finalised by the Kaipara District Council at its March meeting, with a possible impact on plans for the future of the hilltop site.

Under the preceding Smith administration council, despite different ownership, KDC and Te Uri o Hau elected to work in partnership to administer the reserves as one park. Plans for its improvement, drafted by this collaboration, included the restoration of the pā site, a children’s play area and more. Effectively, that ‘one park’ approach is no more.

The Pou Tu O Te Rangi Joint Management Committee is not a committee of the Kaipara District Council; it comes under the jurisdiction of Te Uri o Hau.

A decision on the final constituency of both new committees was held over until March from last December, as the mayor consulted with stakeholders.

“I met with the Harding family and with others in the community and heard many viewpoints,” said Mayor Craig Jepson. “Following this, I appointed Henry Holyoake to the Harding Park Committee.”

Mr Holyoake is a respected figure in the community who ran for civic office during the last local body elections.

“Harding Park is a community facility, in which I wanted all members of the community to have participation,” said Mr Jepson. “After my conversations I realised that there was a desire for more input from Te Uri o Hau.”

While the mayor anticipates that Mr Holyoake’s appointment will provide an additional perspective, Councillor Ihapera Paniora questioned why he did not simply appoint a direct representative of Te Uri o Hau to the committee. ¢

p Ruawai College students with a table full of packaged and hot spaghetti bolognese meals prepared for senior Ruawai residents

p Two separate committees will administer the affairs of Harding Park and Pou Tu o Te Rangi, decides KDC — but does this mean the invalidation of plans floated for future upgrades?

Skills for a lifetime

u by Amy Fifita

Selwyn Park School students have been learning about how to be safe in the water with Sport Northland’s Swim for Life programme.

“We have had the Swim for Life programme in the school for years. It is a four-week programme with kaiārahi Jo from Sport Northland, and it is about water safety in a pool,” says whāea Tui Hutchinson.

The swimming initiative is currently being run by Sport Northland to provide children with useful swimming and survival skills. It endeavours to decrease drowning rates in Northland by teaching children water skills they can use throughout their lifetime.

“It is important for our children to learn how to be safe in the water, especially with the large number of beaches and lakes around Kaipara and the wider Northland area.”

The class was assisted in floating by wearing lifejackets during the lessons, where they engaged in aquatic activities. Students gain confidence and learn various skills such as floating, swimming certain distances and diving to the bottom of the pool.

Local voice on council reform

u by Andy Bryenton

An extension to a deadline for submissions has allowed the Kaipara District Council to voice an opinion on controversial proposed changes to local government.

Initially, the council chose not to make a submission on the wide-reaching proposals from the Beehive, which included the possibility of regional amalgamation and the loss of some council autonomy in varied areas. The deadline for inclusion fell just after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“The students have enjoyed learning the programme, and many of them have not put on a lifejacket before.”

The programme focusses on providing youth with the necessary know-how. It enables them to be secure, relaxed and safe when pursuing water activities. As their skills and confidence develop, they can perform some tasks without lifejackets.

Sport Northland delivers this programme to primary and intermediate schools across the region to allow students to be more confident and knowledgeable around water. ¢

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Northern Wairoa Restaurant

The Department of Internal Affairs was contacted to request a deadline extension, and it agreed. Elected members were asked to provide feedback, to be combined into a joint KDC submission and approved via delegation by the mayor, Councillor Gordon Lambeth and chief executive Jason Marris.

‘Kaipara District Council supports the panel’s intention to strengthen local democracy, improve our relationships with hapū, iwi and Māori, focus on community wellbeing, more equitable funding, and creating more genuine relationships between central and local government’, stated the aforementioned in the submission. Pertinent to the KDC’s response was its keynote on cooperation between councils and government.

‘If communities feel truly engaged and heard, and outcomes are being

delivered to benefit them, then a genuine partnership can be established. If communities feel that outcomes are being “done to them” and are “what someone in Wellington thinks is best for us”, then the genuine partnership is fractured and difficult to regain’.

Concerns were also raised regarding the level of funding the government would need to provide local councils to encompass the civic education, engagement and community-building aims the proposed changes seek to achieve. ¢

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p Councillor Gordon Lambeth, Mayor Craig Jepson and chief executive Jason Marris were delegated to sign a submission on proposed local government law changes

p Room two students from Selwyn Park School learning about water safety and survival skills

Emergency responders’ challenge New zone for primary school

u by Andy Bryenton

Dargaville’s firefighters, ambulance officers and police officers have met in friendly competition in an event designed to build comradeship and goodwill between first responders.

“We often only meet each other in an official capacity, and those can be some tough situations,” said Jason Campbell, one of the firefighters who took part. “It’s good to get to know each other in a social context.”

The three services were thrown together in the direst of circumstances during Cyclone Gabrielle. Last week’s informal get-together was born of the idea of closer relationships that came out of that time.

To spice up the meet-and-greet, the three services issued a three-way challenge to each other. Bragging rights would go to the team who could complete three very different tasks in the shortest time. The police tested their colleagues with a race to don protective gear and deploy a collapsible baton. Firefighters responded with a trail of speed, climbing into fireproof gear and dousing a controlled blaze in a 44 gallon drum. Ambulance officers set up a challenge,

which involved bandaging a ‘patient’ and getting them to safety.

Hijinks ensued as the triumvirate of forces learned that their respective jobs were not so easy, especially against the clock. There was hilarity as some of the larger firefighting men tried to fit into what transpired to be a women’s smallsize police vest. More laughs were had at the ambitious ‘bandaging’ which was deployed by the non-ambulance teams.

All the services were very pleased to get together in a less formal setting and build relationships which will be valuable in the field when duty calls. ¢

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u by Andy Bryenton

The Ministry of Education is working with the board of Dargaville Primary School on a new enrolment scheme, establishing a zone outside of which students will likely be unable to enrol.

Information about the forthcoming scheme indicates that students currently enrolled at DPS from outside the zone will be able to continue at the school, and that special consideration may be shown to siblings of current students should they live outside the zone at the time of their enrolment.

‘Enrolment schemes do mean that choice is limited in this area’, the MOE sayes in a public document about the decision.

‘All families will have entitlement to attend a school that is reasonably convenient to them, but won’t have the same entitlement to enrol at Dargaville Primary School.’

The newly formed zone takes in farmland as far as Baylys Beach, but bisects Dargaville township from halfway along Normanby Street, on the axis of Plunket Street. Many other roads parallel to Normanby Street are also cut in two by the dividing line. Everything to the north side of that line is now ‘out of zone’, and children from this area may not enrol at DPS automatically.

The line twists and turns to encompass an enclave of relatively new housing

at the top of Awakino Road, but omits most of the rest of that road. The school which serves the sector of Dargaville now excluded from the DPS ‘home zone’ is Selwyn Park School.

You can see the zoning map and make a comment on the proposed plan by visiting consultation.education.govt.nz/ education/dargaville-primary-es. ¢

p Teams from the police, firefighters and ambulance service got together for a night of informal fun, helping build teamwork between first responders

p Principal Curtis Gaylor with the values and motifs of Dargaville Primary School; popularity and a growing town have meant that the Ministry of Education has proposed zoning there

… continued from front page

The future of waste in Kaipara

In 2021, the then-presiding Smith administration approved the introduction of a recycling kerbside collection — two crates for each property, replacing the unpopular yellow bags, which opponents say are unfit for purpose. Submissions were sought, and 77 per cent of residents came out in support of this scheme.

Furthermore, in February 2022, the incumbent council approved a further tranche of waste disposal measures. These were to have been implemented by November of this year. It included a 120-litre wheelie bin for landfill, a 240-litre wheelie bin for recycling plastics and cardboard, and a 45-litre crate for glass. That would cost households $238 every year, paid along with rates.

It was accepted that this plan would not be the best fit for rural areas. Those on existing routes would only receive the 120-litre wheelie bin, with free recycling discussed for drop-offs at all recovery

stations. Then came the September 2022 revelation that the central government was set to overhaul rules for waste management, impacting every district council. The new rules will compel all councils nationwide to accept the same types of recycling and rubbish, including food scraps separate from landfill. In this light, the proposed popular KDC strategy needed an overhaul, and the vote to retain the status quo while it was retooled was passed.

However, Councillor Jonathan Larsen and Mayor Craig Jepson looked further ahead, using the waste debate to discuss a postlandfill future. When Councillor Larsen mentioned the appeal of ‘European style clean waste to energy systems’, the mayor agreed, opining that such a system would quash the need for the controversial Dome Valley landfill and profit Kaipara.

“I was heavily involved in a project for waste to energy proposed for Meremere in 1997,” he said. “Recycle what you can then put the rest into efficient hightemperature units producing energy. You don’t put leachate into the ground. I think our council should come together and get rid of that landfill.” ¢

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The legacy of legends

u by Andy Bryenton

The Kauri Coast has produced numerous individuals of note in all fields of endeavour, and the Dargaville Community Development Board is planning a programme to honour their legacy and invite them to inspire others.

“Kauri Coast Living Legends is well underway, with support from some famous locals already in the planning stages,” says DCDB spokesperson Lorraine Davidson.

“We want to acknowledge those who have gone on to be high achievers from their origins here in the west Kaipara and bring them and their stories back here to inspire and encourage others.”

This programme will incorporate many different strands, including gala speaking engagements with illustrious Kauri Coast people, a planned ‘walk of fame’ with recognition for sportspeople, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists and creators, and a trust which may provide community grants and scholarships.

“The concept is to identify these people, both locals and those now living out of the area or abroad. Invite them to become a Kauri Coast Legend and be part of a trust set up to encourage our youth to believe they can be or do anything they set their mind to, utilising their own experiences to convey this to our youth,” says Lorraine.

While there are many luminaries already listed at the DCDB’s offices, those

planning this programme would also like to hear from the public and accept nominations. If you can think of a person born or raised between Maungatūroto and the Ripiro Coast who has achieved national or international status in their chosen field, please email a nomination to info@dcdb.nz. They would like to give recognition to all legendary citizens and allow them to share their wisdom with the next generation. ¢

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p The Kauri Coast has produced many luminaries, such as cricketer Dion Nash (pictured), musician Mark Williams, and political figures Winston Peters, Lockwood Smith and Gordon Coates

Hall annexe must fall Dog control figures scrutinised

u by Andy Bryenton

Part of the town hall complex in Dargaville may have to be demolished ahead of schedule due to a combination of leaks and cyclone damage.

The annexe to the Dargaville Town Hall was already condemned by a decision as part of the latest Long Term Plan of the Kaipara District Council, fated to become the site of a new community hub. Now the KDC say that damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has compromised the structure, necessitating an early demolition.

“In its current state, the building is a significant liability for the council. It is no longer economical to repair the existing building, and we have stopped taking bookings for the Town Hall,” says the KDC’s John Burt.

Built in an era when monolithic cladding in combination with untreated timber caused the nationwide leaky buildings scandal, the town hall annexe has been deteriorating visibly for some time. With additional cyclone damage, the building leaks significantly every time it rains.

Demolition would leave the main hall, which is well-constructed, standing. It would also not affect the neighbouring

municipal building, which turns 100 years old this year. The original plan for the hall was to reclad it and bring it back into use.

During the demolition, access to the Anzac Theatre’s cinema would be via an alternative doorway. The Citizens Advice Bureau may need new premises. In the interim, council meetings in Dargaville will be held, at the Lighthouse Function Centre. However, one important upcoming event to be held at the town hall will go ahead elsewhere.

The Dargaville Wearable Arts will be shifted to another local venue and go ahead as planned. ¢

Kaipara Kōrero

Cyclone damage to Dargaville Town foyer

The demolition of the Dargaville Town Hall (Northern Wairoa War Memorial Hall) may be brought forward, after recent weather events caused further damage. The foyer area was built in the late 1990s but the poor design and construction has resulted in significant issues with leaking. The building has been in a deteriorating state for some time. The Council had planned to demolish the foyer or annex area, then reclad the Hall in 2024/2025 as part of their Long-Term Plan.

Since the cyclone the building has deteriorated further and leaks heavily every time it rains. The Council is now to discuss whether to bring the demolition forward to the 2023/2024 financial year.

John Burt, Kaipara District Council Property, Procurement and Commercial Manager, says the building smells damp and is unpleasant for building users.

“In its current state, the building is a significant liability for Council. It is no longer economic to repair the existing building and we have stopped taking bookings for the Town Hall,” says John.

Council have already engaged several contractors to conduct urgent assessments and provide advice to see if we can continue to use the venue safely.

“We are working with the Theatre and CAB to minimise the impacts on their operations. We are also in discussion with the Dargaville Arts Association on options for relocation of their Dargaville Wearable Arts 2023 event.”

The site will be redeveloped, separating the former Municipal building, containing the Theatre, from the Northern Wairoa Memorial Hall. In the longer term, the Council plans to redevelop the space with a community hub, which will include a library.

The Council will consider the timeframe for demolition at their briefing on Wednesday 5 April.

Council committees confirmed

Council has now confirmed governance membership and appointments for all committees. You can see a full list of Council committees and their Terms of Reference at kaipara.govt.nz

u by Andy Bryenton

Last week Kaipara District Council elected members received a report from the council’s animal control division detailing how they had fared in the 2021–2022 period.

During that time, the single biggest issue faced by the team has been wandering dogs. With roaming animals still visible on most days in Dargaville, Te Kōpuru and other Kaipara towns, in the 12-month period surveyed, only 14 infringement notices were handed down for failure to keep a dog confined or controlled. There were no prosecutions at all.

That relates to one infringement for every 17 calls from the public about wandering dogs, of which there were 236 during this same period. Dog attacks were down, as were instances of dogs rushing at pedestrians but not biting, though attacks and ‘rushes’ combined still total 62. Forty-one dogs were impounded, with 10 being euthanised, 11 rehomed and 30 returned to their owners.

The decrease in infringements handed out for wandering dogs comes alongside an apparent blitz on unregistered dog owners. The number of

infringements handed down for owning an unregistered dog has doubled since the 2020–2021 financial year. In this most recent period, 183 infringements, with their corresponding fines, were handed out. In 2019, this figure was 36.

The statistics in the recent report may also show that concentrating on wandering dog management can work. In 2018, there were 390 wandering dog complaints, 63 attacks and 41 ‘rushes’. No less than 67 infringements were handed out for failure to keep a dog controlled or confined. By the next recording period, wandering dog complaints had nearly halved to 207. ¢

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Artist rendition showing a proposed future use for Dargaville Town Hall (Northern Wairoa War memorial Hall) Complex

p Dargaville’s town hall annexe may have to be demolished earlier than anticipated and replaced with a public space like the one pictured here

p Wandering dogs are still the number one problem for animal control operatives of the Kaipara District Council, according to statistics on calls for action by the public

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From ornaments to aeroplanes

u by Andy Bryenton

Aluminium items from the era of the Roman and Chinese emperors baffle historians, as the modern method of bringing this metal forth from the ‘silver clay’ ore where it’s found dates back less than three centuries.

“There is nothing harder than to make people use a new metal. Luxury items and ornaments cannot be the only sphere of its application. I hope the time will come when aluminium will serve to satisfy daily needs,” said Sainte-Claire Deville, the French chemist who first industrialised the manufacture of aluminium in 1856.

During his time, the silvery metal which could not corrode was used only for the ornaments of the very rich. Buttons, brooches, fountain pens and cutlery made of aluminium graced the finest outfits and stately homes. The first

mass-produced aluminium product was a medal issued to soldiers during the reign of Napoleon III, who considered the substance to be more noble than gold. Only 200 tonnes were made in the 30 years between Deville’s discovery of the improved smelting process and 1890, when two very different people came up with the next breakthrough.

Charles Hall, an entrepreneur from the US, set up his new smelter right next

p Without aluminium it’s unlikely that the Wright Brothers would have become airborne door to the Niagara Falls hydroelectric power station. Using electricity to fire up the smelter’s furnaces, he boosted production to unheard of levels. Meanwhile, Karl Bayer, working in Austria, discovered a better chemical process to extract aluminium from cheap alumina ore. Suddenly, the rare, weird metal born of the scientific renaissance became easily available.

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In 1893 the British government proved that the new metal could hold a complex form on a big scale. They commissioned a two-metre tall statue of the Greek god Anteros for London’s busy Piccadilly intersection. The sculpture of the god of requited love resembled an adult Cupid and was as detailed as any copper or

marble work of art. Aluminium was used for boatbuilding for the first time, a year later, for the founder of the Nobel Prize, Alfred Nobel. His steamboat was so fast compared to similarsized craft that the Russian navy commissioned an all-aluminium torpedo boat called the Sokol; it became the fastest thing on the water in 1893.

Ten years later, aluminium earned its wings and allowed human beings to fly. The Wright Brothers had repeatedly tried to build a light petrol engine for their kite-like Flyer-1, but everything was still too heavy. By making a special engine with many aluminium parts, the brothers were able to get off the ground, and the aeronautical age began.

What began as a curiosity for early scientists has become a global industry which has changed the way we travel and how we eat and drink, thanks to canning and preserving techniques. Aluminium has its unique properties when it comes to welding and repair, so make sure you talk to a real master of metal if you need to shape or restore things made of this ‘clay silver’.

of Metal

Mythic metal masters

u by Andy Bryenton

Some of the oldest stories from European culture are about blacksmiths and how their cunning exploits allowed them to trick gods, wicked kings and supernatural beings.

Perhaps these myths began in one of the earliest civilisations, Egypt. There, the god Ptah-Pahtaka was depicted as a dwarven, stocky fellow, who had created the entire world with his crafting skills. He was the god of the forge and was associated with another diminutive god, Bes, the god of luck and dancing. The similarities between these very old Egyptian gods and the dwarves and leprechauns of mediaeval myth may be no accident.

The greatest fantasy author of them all, JRR Tolkien, envisioned the dwarven people as master blacksmiths, working under the mountains in great stone halls where they used molten lava to heat their forges. This image is not entirely from his imagination alone, as mythic smith-gods and heroes from Ptah-Pahtaka onward fed into the archetype seen in movies, games and album-cover artwork today.

Wayland the Cunning was one such smith. A hero of the English, German and Norse peoples. One of the oldest stories in western literature, the Viking epic poem Volundarkvitha, is about his exploits. Imprisoned by an evil king and made to craft weapons and rings of power, he takes gruesome revenge by killing the

p Ptah-Pahtaka, Wayland, Vulcan and Hephaistos were all bearded, muscular, short and cunning legendary blacksmiths from cultures as far apart as those of Egypt and Iceland

the labyrinth where Icarus and Daedalus were imprisoned the Volundarhaus, or ‘house of Wayland’.

There’s another archetype tying in with these myths, and it’s more famous still. Vulcan, the Roman god of blacksmiths, and Hephaistos, his Greek counterpart, were both depicted as muscular bearded figures. Hephaistos was said to have one twisted leg, perhaps the result of his fall from Olympus to where he was said to dwell in the crater of Mount Vesuvius. He created all the magical weapons in Greek mythology, from the thunderbolts of Zeus to the magical chariot of the sun, the arrows of Cupid, and the Aegis shield, which destroyed Medusa. Vulcan gives his name to all volcanoes, and eruptions were said to happen when he was hard at work making new magical weapons for the gods.

tribe without a smith was at the mercy of better-equipped enemies, with little to trade and no tools to work the land. The priesthoods of these gods were the first guilds, which taught smithing secrets to their apprentices in the guise of religious rituals. ¢

king’s

sons, then escapes by building himself wings with steel feathers. These work much better than those of mythical Icarus. When Norse people first heard about the Greek story of flight, they called

It’s no wonder that blacksmiths got their own gods and heroes. In past times, a smith was almost magical for his ability to craft weapons, armour, jewellery and tools. It’s natural that they would be associated with mines and underground places where ore comes from and the intense fires beneath the earth, reminiscent of their forges. A

Factory to farm direct

Who is FarmShop and how are they helping farmers succeed?

FarmShop is now the largest farm machinery yard in Northland. Many farmers will remember its Dargaville store, where trading first began in 2010. Fastforward to 2023, and a new 4,000sqm retail store and workshop has opened. It is an established factory-to-farm business supporting Northland’s farming community with direct imports of farm machinery and useful rural products.

Taking a partnership role with farmers, the business exists to increase farmers yields, profitability and value. How do they go about achieving this?

Maximise farm yields

The team at FarmShop understand Northland farms and can share success stories proven to increase crop yields. A good example is their FarmMax Mulcher & AirSeeder Combo. The last two decades

have proven that if you mulch kikuyu in autumn the higher-yielding grass species will arrive by spring. Its customers are experiencing excellent results from air seeding in just one pass, reducing labour and fuel costs. At 20kg/hectare of grass seed, farmers are getting up to 19% increased pasture productivity in autumn. For an investment of just $35,000, the milk solid increases show a payback of fewer than two seasons.

Increase profitability

FarmShop is passionate about its customers succeeding. If a farmer is looking to invest in machinery, its factory-to-farm business model (with no middleman) is a cost-benefit that goes straight to a farmer’s balance sheet.

Boost Farm Value

It’s a well-known fact that any farm improvements made will significantly increase the value of a farm when selling. A highproducing, aesthetically pleasing farm will usually sell for more than 30 years of hardworking profit. FarmShop stocks the best

range to increase a farm’s overall value, eg the right gear to improve pasture, fencing, farm tracks, waterways and streams.

Four times larger than the Dargaville store, FarmShop is strategically positioned on SH1 Kaiwaka (beside Kauri Park Nurseries) and is a central hub to visit, trial and discuss farm equipment of every size and scope. The workshop has a 3T overhead gantry crane, plus a full hydraulic hose bay with a diverse range of hose fittings to suit any tractor make and model in Northland. The maintenance team carry the expertise and qualifications to have a farmer back up and running quickly, reducing costly downtime. Visit today or online at farmshop.co.nz. ¢

Land use change is hurting town and country

u by Andy Bryenton

Federated Farmers Northland president Colin Hannah has hit back at government land-use policies and farming regulations, which he says are driving farmers off productive land.

“Since 2017, the reduction in milk solid production on Northland dairy farms combined with the loss of beef and dairy farms to plantation forestry has meant a $4 billion hit to the Northland economy,” says Mr Hannah. “The figure continues to grow annually.”

Recently, the government has moved to protect highly productive land from being used up for housing, as has happened south of Auckland. However, despite the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently condemning exotic carbon forestry, there has been no move to save arable farmland from being planted out in unproductive trees.

“Sadly, the bulk of this forestry money will be going to foreign-owned entities meaning local communities will receive no benefit,” says Mr Hannah. “The economic impact of government-driven land-use change will continue to have a huge impact on Northland businesses and communities, without consideration to unintended consequences.”

Mr Hannah speaks as president for Federated Farmers Northland, an advocacy group for farming families. However, he notes that few politicians have stood up to represent the interests of this same group, even in an election

year that looks to be hotly contested.

“Why are all the changes pointed at rural New Zealand?” he asks. “When, environmentally, they only make up a small proportion of the population and have already made the biggest contribution to environmental restoration of the whole country for no additional income?”

He noted that a reduction in local dairy production alone is a concern because Northland dairy farmers don’t have another source to supply. Many farmers are concerned about their current supply contracts, without the added burden of more regulatory costs on their livelihoods. These include forthcoming water quality measures, highly contentious plans to map and de-farm significant natural areas on private property, and a proposed tax on livestock gas emissions.

p Colin Hannah, Federated Farmers Northland president, has a stark warning about the loss of productive farms, and he challenges politicians to heed his message crying shame and should be worrying for everyone, as some of these farmers are the best in the land. Fewer farms mean less primary produce on our supermarket shelves, as we are seeing right now. If we don’t all wake up — it will be too late.”

“A common sentiment among farmers is ‘let’s get out now’, so I am not surprised by the number of local dairy and beef farmers in the region who are surrendering,” says Colin. “This is a

Mr Hannah’s sentiments are echoed by a prediction from a recent Infometrics report commissioned by the Kaipara District Council, which predicts slackening employment and stagnation of growth in Kaipara by the 2030s due to the shrinkage of the farming sector. ¢

A dog’s tail … Boss seems worried about munny

“Beggared if I no wot’s going on Dog,” seda Boss. We was just headin’ downa kattil race for smoko, an’ Boss was mutterin’ away to hisself an’ me. I reckin he’s thinkin’ of stuff ter say ter his gerlfren’ Sharlene over a cupptees. more sivil servints thanya kin poke a stick at?”

“Yes,” he went on. “It’s all munny, munny, munny, and not much ter show fer it.”

So we met Sharlene ona woolshed steps, an’ Boss grabbed a scone. “Hey Deah,” he sed. “What do ya reckin about all this spendin’ money by the govmint. OK, I kin unnerstand the cost of living thing. But didja know we got

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Tell yer readas, not sure we should pokesticks at anythin’, but Sharlene poured tha cuppatees and said: “Yep, Deah, it’s been ona radio and ina paper.” An’ she hada papa froma gate kattilstop. She musta got it herself this mornin, cos I bin busy lookin’ at troffs wiv Boss. Anyway, she red in her skoolteacher voice, then.

“The frontline workforce for social services, health, and education has increased by 24.6% with nurse numbers up only 18.3%, doctors are up 19.2%, but civil service managers numbers jumped up 43.4%. Who exactly are these people managing? Politicians also need to take a closer look at our bloated public sector and significantly cut back on unnecessary managerial positions.”

“Yeah,” seda Boss. But lookit what they spendin’ ona secret center in Orklind, and he pointed atta paper page he cood see. Sharlene red sum more.

“The government has been secretly building a $300 million data centre at an air force base in Auckland since early last year to house its most important

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information. Minister Andrew Little said the data centre, which is due to be completed by 2025, was an essential and

long-term investment to further ensure core public-service information storage well into this century.”

“Well, maybe that’s wot they got more public managers for,” seda Boss. “Secret stuff, wot they tell us wot’s wot.”

Sharlene giva shrug, an’ flicked me half a scone wile Boss wasin’t lookin. “Anyway Deah, wot I wanta know is why the govmint keep saying we need co-governince in this country. An’ I reckin now I know. Lookit the value of iwi settlements, they maybe got munny the govmint kin borrow?” She read ina papa again: “So far, there have been 73 settlements passed into law. The total value of all finalised settlements is $2.2 billion.”

But then, she red sum more. “While that may seem like a lot of money, in just the next 12 months, the government will spend (excluding capital investment) about $87 billion.”

“I give up,” seda Boss. “Mite get a printing press for munny set up ina woolshed. Seems ter be the way ter go these days. But, hang on Deah. Why don’t ya see if ya kin get a manager job ina govmint? We’d be on easy street eh?”

Well readas, munny? Me for that last scone ona tee tray wile they talkin’.

Cheers — Billy ¢

Vet practice expands to Ruawai

u by Andy Bryenton

Kaipara Farm Vets has established a reputation for caring and timely service since they opened their doors to help assist the rural community; that reputation is set to grow this autumn.

This month the area covered by Kaipara Farm Vets is expanding, with a practice under construction in Ruawai. The dairy heartland of the west Kaipara area, Ruawai, is an area with a real need for swift veterinary service from people who know the industry. Kaipara Farm Vets fits the bill with a wealth of experience caring for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, horses and other large animals.

Their new second site comes after swift expansion in Dargaville, where Brian, Emma, Jamie and Alison make up the team, looking after livestock and large animals all over the west. The secret to their success has been in delivering better outcomes for farmers.

“Farmers have really supported us in our first year in Dargaville, and it’s now time to serve a broader reach from there in a more efficient way,” says founding vet Brian Lowe.

“We’re currently working on outfitting the new practice, situated beside

Ruawai’s Challenge petrol station,” says Kaipara Farm Vets’ Josh Borgia. “Our aim is to provide a truly local service to the Ruawai farming community, as we are well aware that time can be of the essence when you need a vet.”

That is especially true for Ruawai’s large dairy farming contingent. With lots of daily contact between farmers and their herds through milking and calving seasons alike, dairy farmers are acutely aware of the mood, condition and health of their

livestock. With an emphasis on smart, preventative practices, Kaipara Farm Vets has the tools and expertise to make a difference.

On April 11, the doors will open at the new Ruawai practice at 65 Jellicoe Street. New vet Rory Dean will be ready to meet and greet local farmers, discuss their veterinary needs and build relationships. He and the rest of the Kaipara Farm Vets team invite you to drop by if you are in the area.

“Some love nothing better than getting out on the farm up to their armpits in ‘all things rural’ while others enjoy the nitty-gritty of day-to-day operations at our depot,” says Brian about his colleagues. “Something they all have in common is their compassion and dedication to caring for your animals and providing you with a high level of service.”

p Jamieson Parker (vet tech) and Brian Lowe (vet) out in the field, making sure that every animal is healthy and happy

Extra lessons after flood impact

u by Amy Fifita

Cyclone Gabrielle, which temporarily halted the Future Farm Systems trial at the Northland Agricultural Research Farm, has created new opportunities to assess pasture resilience.

“Approximately 75 per cent of the farm was under water. The water sat around for three to four days, and we lost a third of the pasture,” Northland Dairy Development Trust coordinator Kim Robinson says.

NARF is presently doing a four-year study on whether alternative pasture

species are more resilient in the face of climate change. The study looks at climate change, including warmer temperatures and more frequent and severe floods and droughts.

“A major goal of our trial is to see which pastures cope better with climate change, and the cyclone allowed us to see which species are more tolerant to flooding. Interestingly, kikuyu pastures largely survived the flood and grew back strongly after the water had receded.

“The C3 pastures (ryegrass, cocksfoot and fescue) all died. There is a massive difference in climate resilience between kikuyu and the C3 pastures. It is useful information, which would have been difficult to assess if we didn’t have a flood.”

The research farm had minimal damage to its infrastructure, although some buildings such as the cow shed, did flood.

“After the water receded and the paddocks dried out, we resowed most of the affected pasture. The seedlings are starting to come up now, but we have had a severe outbreak of tropical army caterpillars. It is not common, but it can occur after a cyclonic flood. The previous army caterpillar outbreak was about 8–10

p

years ago when the farm was under water and was similar to recent floods. We have sprayed the whole farm.”

The second-year trials had to cease. However, the information from threequarters of the current season should be enough to model the expected result for the remaining months.

“We are confident that we have enough information to accurately predict what the final production and profit results would have been this season. We have continued getting growth rates from the unaffected paddocks.

“Our trial had three herds on three different farmlets. We had to put the

herds together and relocate them to the unflooded hill paddocks, and we also grazed neighbouring paddocks which were kindly donated to us to use.”

In addition to grazing, herds were fed silage and palm kernel, and most of the herd continued to produce milk.

“Although we had to stop the physical trial, we will restart it again by June 1, so the next season will not be affected.

“The herds will go back on to their individual farmlets by May 1 to set up the farms going into the next season as if the trial had continued.”

For more information on the trial — visit nddt.nz or email info@nddt.nz. ¢

Members of the farm management team assess flood-damaged pasture

When classroom goes seaside

u by Paul Campbell

Student groups from eight Kaipara area schools had a day at the beach, but it was all a serious part of the curriculum with an accent on water safety and learning about the marine environment.

The event was part of the nationwide Enviroschools programme aimed at hands-on discovery experience in the wider environment outside the classroom.

At Pahi was the North Kaipara Volunteer Coastguard rescue vessel Tinopai Rescue with crew members on hand to tell the children about safety and sea and donning life jackets, while members of the Pahi Boating and Fishing club oversaw lessons in kayaking and small craft handling.

Overseen by the Northland Regional Council, “the Enviroschools programme is about the wellbeing of the whole school, community and ecosystem. It’s about working out how to live so that our society and economy nourish the natural systems that give us life, and it gives young people an opportunity to explore real-life challenges and to apply their energy and ideas.”

The council says nearly 70 per cent of Northland schools are involved in the programme.

Learning aside, the children, accompanied by family members, teachers and NRC staff, made the most of a day away from the classroom, with kayaking on the sheltered waters a popular stage of activity.

“It was a busy day all around,” said Pahi Beach Holiday Park manager, Karl Reynolds, who, as a Coast Guard member, joined in welcoming the event to the Pahi Reserve. “The kids had a good look at safety measures, and the work carried out by Tinopai Rescue. The kayaks were popular on the water. A pity the crayfish could not stay behind here but both young and old had a great day.” ¢

p Pahi beach was a hive of Enviroschools’ activity

Photo courtesy Karl Renolds

p Aless Smith, NRC marine biosecurity specialist, shows ‘pickled’ marine pests to Ruawai and Bream Bay College students

p Coastguard volunteer crewman Mike England talked safety to an attentive pair in lifejackets

p Crayfish were a hands-on experience, although imported to Pahi from the east coast for the day

Dargaville 36 Pirika Street

Where town meets country

Nearly in the country but still in town, a large residential section is available for your next lifestyle choice.

Whether you want to build new, use the existing double garage, add a tiny house, a big house or no house, this is a rare opportunity to secure a section with no covenants and enter the property market. Being elevated with established plantings, fencing and an existing double garage. This section of 1396sqm offers many options for future development. bayleys.co.nz/1020831

1,396sqm 1

Price Indication $239,000 Inclusive of GST

Phone for viewing times

Lisa Pocklington 021 121 8419 lisa.pocklington@bayleys.co.nz

Jude O'Connor 027 459 4528 jude.oconnor@bayleys.co.nz

MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED REAA 2008

Roper&

What a winner!

Grab your chance to own this rural and exclusive 4000sqm sub division section on Jumna Road, with resident-only tidal boat access to the Kaipara Harbour estuary just a hop, skip and a jump further up Jumna Road. Lovely countryside and mountain views with a glimpse of the water from your block. This section is mostly fenced with post and rail fencing, a perfect spot to build a quiet country home (subject to council approval).

Random sheep not included!

Super close to town.

REDUCED BY $95,000!

Cut-over pine block of 7.7280ha (approx. 19 acres), harvested in March 2022. This block is ready for re planting as a long term investment to reap the rewards for your trees down the line. Or what about an additional income stream from carbon credits under the Government Emissions Trading Scheme? Alternatively, carve out a building platform and check out the spectacular rural views including the Otamatea River inlet in the distance. Situated within a 10 minute drive of Maungaturoto township with all the essential facilities.

Price reduced from $490,000 to $395,000.

If you would like to be added to Gary’s exclusive news and new listings e-newsletter, please email Gary Morris with “Yes, e-newsletter” in the subject line.

Ruawai 59 Ringrose Road

Ex-dairy unit now beef

This 173 hectare farm with multiple titles has been in beef for three years, and is well set up to maximize production. The farm infrastructure includes a cow shed, calf sheds, 6 bay implement shed, cattle yards, wintering barn, hay sheds and a limestone quarry. The limestone races provide easy access to all 45 paddocks. An attractive farm with pockets of native bush including NZ Kauri, Queensland Kauri and a small stand of Redwoods. Being an ex-dairy farm this provides endless opportunities. Do you continue to produce beef? Rear calves? As the 30 bale rotary shed and rearing facilities are still in good working condition. With multiple titles and three houses, there is also development potential. This property ticks a lot of boxes. bayleys.co.nz/1020817

173.1032ha

Auction (unless sold prior) 12pm, Wed 19 Apr 2023

84 Walton Street, Whangarei

View by appointment

Todd Skudder 027 439 1235

todd.skudder@bayleys.co.nz

DARGAVILLE 5191 State Highway 14

Dairy Farm with Location

189 hectares

• Two homes

• 50 bail rotary shed

Production to 137,600kg MS

Good infrastructure

This dairy farm with eight titles would be a good step up if you are wanting the next level in your dairy career. It has the location to town which is such an attractive point of this farm. It has seen consistent production during our vendors partnership, ranging from 130,000kg MS to 137,600kg MS. There are tidy races to 82 paddocks, an underpass to access both sides of the road, a very good 50 bail rotary cowshed with large yarding, sorting pens and cup removers. Across the road is the large feed area and pad for 300 cows. Water is via a dam and artisan bore, where the system can cross over. The farm is milking 410 FR-FRX cows, all young stock are grazed off but reared on whole milk. The main home of four-bedrooms with open plan living has a nice large section and has excellent access to the farm sheds. The three-bedroom workers cottage has a double car garage.

We are calling a quick Auction so if you are keen on this one you will need to be quick so call us now.

pggwre.co.nz/DAG37637

4 1 1

AUCTION

Plus GST (if any)

(Unless Sold Prior)

11.00am, Thursday 20 April

PGG Wrightson, Whangarei

VIEW By Appointment Only

Megan Browning

M 027 668 8468

E mbrowning@pggwrightson.co.nz

Barry Banicevich

M 021 999 591

E bbanicevich@pggwrightson.co.nz

Maungaturoto 506 Batley Road

Auction

Batley Peninsula

400 ha approx. freehold and 200 ha approx. lease available by negotiation.

Located on the Batley Peninsula in the Kaipara Harbour, within 17.5 km of Maungaturoto and only 50 minutes to Whangarei and Auckland one and a half hours away.

A once-in-a century opportunity to buy this one-of-a-kind fattening unit on a peninsular of its own in the Kaipara Harbour. 7 km of coastal boundary with a number of its own private beaches. Extensive re-fencing has taken place during the past five years. Consisting of nine-wire. Most have been battened, some still to be done. Still a small amount of two-wire electric. 68 main paddocks, two holding paddocks. Two houses are on farm and the historic Batley House is available by negotiation.

Auction 12.00pm, Thu 20th Apr, 2023, (unless sold prior),

Property Brokers, 180 Bank Street, Whangarei

View Fri 31 Mar 10.00 - 11.00am

Web pb.co.nz/WHR114588

Mike Colthurst

Open Day

Friday 14th April: 2pm - 3pm

M 021 741 414 E mike.colthurst@pb.co.nz

WHAT’S ON?

April

Local Band Perfect Sense — appearing at Kaihu Tavern on 8th April 2023, 2.30pm to 7pm.

Fireco Kai Iwi Lakes Triathlon — Saturday, 29 April features 3 different courses for the adult’s event and includes options for teams. This event also accommodates our tamariki with a kids course for ages 4–15.

Triple Tribute Band — 29th April 7.30pm to 11pm at the Northern Wairoa Boating Club, Totara Street, Dargaville. Music from The Cars, Pretenders and The Cure. Tickets available at eventfinda.co.nz.

May

Bring Balance Welcoming Winter — meditations for the new season, 21 May, 10am–12.30pm, Baylys Beach Community Centre, $40 (or what you can afford). Enquiries and bookings to Maureen 021 0231 8008, maureen.bringbalance@yahoo.com, www.bringbalance.co.nz.

Markets

Kaihu Hall Market — 3rd Saturday each month

10am–noon. Phone Robin 09 439 4878.

Monthly Market — 1st Saturday of each month, 8am–noon at the Kaipara Community Centre, Hokianga Road (opposite the Town Hall).

Paparoa Artisan Market — 4th Sunday monthly 12–4pm. Paparoa Memorial Hall.

Paparoa Farmers’ Market — Every Saturday 9am –12pm. Genuine local produce, vegetables, seafood, olive oils, meats, patisserie, plants and more. Village green, Paparoa.

Te Kopuru Market — 2nd Saturday of each month, 8am–12pm at Coronation Hall. Stall holders ring Rachel on 021 133 7560.

Club/Organisation

57 Squadron (Dargaville) Air Training Corps — Mondays 6pm–8pm at the Dargaville Aero Club. For boys and girls aged 13–18 years Phone Gordon 021 262 0547.

Arapohue Tennis Club — Starts Monday 24th October 6.15pm onwards at A&P Showgrounds. Contact Raewyn 09 439 2152 or Sue 09 439 2154.

Alcoholics Anonymous — Dargaville AA meetings held at The Lighthouse Church, cnr Normanby & Parore Sts. Use Parore St entrance. Monday 4.30pm & Thursday 7.30pm Contact Bernie 027 212 2148, Ladies 020 4082 1373, Murray 09 439 5248.

Alzheimer’s ‘Carer’ Support Group — Contact Maxine on 022 691 6068. Baylys & Beyond Gardeners — All welcome, 2nd Monday of each month, Garden ramble, shared lunch, trading table phone 021 063 3444.

Dargaville Aero Club — Learn to fly, free of tuition charges, Gyrocopter, Texan, Stork. Contact Peter 09 439 1628 for further info.

Dargaville Bowling Club Tuesday Bowls — Names by 9.30am, start 10am, finish 2.30pm. Contact Ray King 09 439 5509.

Dargaville Contract Bridge Club — Tuesdays 12.45pm and Wednesday 6.45pm at the Kiosk,

Memorial Park, Logan St, Dargaville. dargavillebridge@ gmail.com or phone Peter 09 439 2437 or 022 405 6439.

Dargaville Floral Art Club — Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1pm at The Lighthouse Church, Cnr Normanby & Parore Sts, Dargaville. Enquiries to Dawn Donald 09 439 5413.

Dargaville Friendship Club — meets 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10am at the NW Boating Club. For info phone Phyllis 09 439 6681.

Dargaville Games Club — 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at the Dargaville Scout Hall, Onslow St, 6pm–9pm.

Dargaville Girls Brigade — For girls 5–15 years. Thursdays after school — 3.30–5pm held at The Lighthouse Church. Contact Pauline Taylor 021 263 7446 or 09 439 7505.

Dargaville Mainly Music — Interactive music and movement for preschoolers and their carers.

Wednesdays 10am Baptist church, Victoria St, during term time. Contact Rebecca 021 969 626.

Dargaville Menz Shed — is open Tuesday and Thursday each week from 10am to 3pm and Saturday mornings from 10am to noon. New members are welcome. For more info phone Paul 027 459 3098 or Brian 09 439 6175.

Dargaville Museum — Open every day except Christmas Day and Anzac morning 9–4 until Labour Day then 9–5 until Easter. Volunteers, visitor hosts and members welcome. Phone 09 439 7555.

Dargaville Scout Group — For boys and girls aged 5–99 years at 23 Onslow St. All info on door or phone Johnnita 027 296 5889.

Grandparents raising grandchildren — First Tuesday of every month except during school holidays. Noon at Whanau focus, Victoria St, Dargaville (next to bakehouse). Contact Sandy dargaville@grg.org.nz or 021 044 6214.

Hikuwai O Kaipara Waka Ama Club — Meet at the NW Boating Club 5pm Mondays and Thursdays from 5pm for Awa training.

Justices of the Peace — available every Thursday from 12–1pm at the Whanau Focus offices, 61 Victoria Street, Dargaville.

Kaihu Valley Music Club — 3rd Sunday of the Month at Kaihu Hall on Woods Road. 1pm–4pm. Enquires to John or May 09 439 0827.

Kaipara Cycling — Calendar of Rides — Thursdays

3.15pm–5.15pm Junior Rides 10 years and older; 5.30pm–7pm Women’s Rides; 5.30pm–7pm Adult Rides. Meet at Time To, Normanby Street. If you are riding the Kauri Coast Mountain Bike Park or you want to join the Kaipara Cycling Club go to join.hivepass. co.nz or email kaiparacycling@gmail.com.

Kaipara Heritage Machinery Club — Open and operating Wednesday and Saturday. New members and volunteers welcome. Something to interest both men and women, come and get involved. Phone 09 439 7108 or 09 439 4614.

Kumarani Creative Centre – Creative Dance! — 5pm Thursdays, 15 Onslow Street. For all ages and abilities, fun and inclusive. Koha.

Kumarani Productions — Tuesdays Circus Kids 5–10 years at 3.45pm–4.45pm, Youth Circus 10–18 years at 5pm–6.30pm and Dargaville Fire and Circus Jam 6.30pm–8pm. 15 Onslow St. Through school terms only. Koha.

Lions Club of Ruawai — Meets 3rd Thursday of the month (social night) at the Sports Club and 1st Thursday of the month (business meeting). For more info contact 09 439 2029 or 09 439 2557.

Lions Dargaville — Meeting 2nd Wednesday of the month in Lions Den, Hokianga Road. Contact John for more information 09 439 5937.

Mt Wesley Angels — Meets 2nd Sunday of the month at Old Mt Wesley Cemetery to preserve, record and care for this historic cemetery. Wear suitable footwear, bring water, gardening gloves and a friend.

Northern Wairoa Country Music Club — 1st Sunday of the month at the Scout Hall, 23 Onslow Street 1–4pm. Enquiries to Bruce 09 439 5513.

Northern Wairoa Genealogy Society — Learn how to trace your family history or DNA at the Research Rooms, Dargaville Museum, 4th Sunday of each month 12.30–2pm OR attend our monthly meetings on the 4th Sunday of the month from 2pm–4pm. Phone Sue 021 608 606.

Northern Wairoa Indoor Bowls Assn — Starts at 7pm Mondays at Anglican Church Hall, Tuesdays at Ruawai-Tokatoka Hall, Wednesdays at Dalmatian Hall. For more info contact Warren Younger 027 478 5102 or evenings 09 439 6155.

NZ 60s Up Movement — Dargaville Social Meetings held at the Lighthouse Function Centre on 1st Tuesday of the month. Contact President Margaret Pinny 09 439 4560.

Peggy Purls in our Community — Every 3rd Wednesday 10.30am at Dargaville Sewing and Curtain Centre, 59 Normanby St. Ring Charlene 09 439 6120.

Pono Lodge Yoga — Pono Lodge, 41 Hokianga Road, Dargaville. Mondays: Hatha Flow 5.30pm, Yin 7pm. Tuesdays: Body Focus 9.30am. For more info contact Anisha 021 301 860 or see our Facebook page Dargaville Yoga.

Practising Presence — Mondays 6–7pm Coronation Hall, Te Kopuru. Led moving and sitting meditations. Remaining in the present moment is the key to inner peace but it takes practice! Exchange: $10 or what you can afford. Maureen 021 0231 8008. www. bringbalance.co.nz.

Rotary Club of Dargaville — meet weekly at 11.30–1pm at the Lions Centre in Hokianga Road. New members always welcome, men and women. If you

want to join a Service Club with nearly 85 years to Dargaville. Phone Brian 09 439 6175.

RSA Women’s Section — Social meeting held at the Clubrooms, 4th Monday of the month. Contact Secretary/Treasurer Betty Bruce 09 439 4344. Ruawai Gardening Club — Meetings or other activities held on 3rd Thursday of every month, Feb to Nov at the Ruawai Bowling Club, 10am start. New members welcome. Phone Merele 09 439 2335.

Senior Housie Dargaville Bowling Club — 3rd Monday each month Feb–Nov 12.30pm for 1.30pm start.

Stepping Out Leisure Marching Team — Tuesday 4pm–5pm at the Dargaville Town Hall. Contact Sharon 027 439 5634 or 09 439 5634 for more details. Vaccine Passport required.

Stitches and Craft — 5 Cranley St, Dargaville. 10am–4pm Tuesday and Friday Contact Lois 027 473 0598 for further details.

Strength & Conditioning — Baylys Beach Community Centre, Mondays and Fridays. Small class groups. 9am–10am, $10 per session. If you’re 50+ and want to improve your movement as you age, this is the class for you. With some commitment you can gain strength as you condition your body for aging. Call Tony 022 311 8447.

Wednesday Crafts — Every Wednesday 10am. Morning tea and lunch will be served. Variety of crafts. The Kiosk at Memorial Park. All welcome. $7 per session Contact Judy 027 316 3940.

Dargaville Acoustic Music BLACKBOARD CONCERT

PUZZLE TIME

Jumbo crossword

ACROSS: 1 Harms, 4 Fructose, 9 Tariff, 14 Tibia, 15 As straight as a die, 17 Balsa, 18 Nap, 19 Scrooge, 20 Racetrack, 21 Comedy, 24 Shoemaker, 25 Beetle, 26 Unsafe, 29 Memorandum, 31 Cut, 32 Supply, 33 Whim, 35 Top, 37 Book, 39 Notre-Dame, 40 Equipment, 41 Radar, 42 Newlywed, 47 Shoeless, 51 Bliss, 55 Balalaika, 56 Kidnapped, 58 Aged, 59 Awe, 60 Evil, 61 Smoker, 62 Tea, 63 Straighten, 66 Mugger, 67 Borsch, 69 Trafalgar, 72 Hasten, 73 Norwegian, 75 Boulder, 77 Die, 80 Rhine, 81 Turn over a new leaf, 82 Nerve, 83 Lessen, 84 Describe, 85 Screw.

DOWN: 2 Associate, 3 Motto, 5 Rage, 6 Catwalk, 7 Obstetrician, 8 Eider, 9 Treacle, 10 Ribs, 11 Fallow, 12 Ebony, 13 Tadpole, 14 Taverns, 16 As good as new, 22 Amidst, 23 Clipper, 24 Snorkel, 25 Better, 27 Achieve, 28 Sleuth, 30 Meek, 32 Spade, 34 Myths, 36 Epee, 38 Ode, 42 Noble, 43 Willing, 44 Yolk, 45 Enigma, 46 Vicar, 48 Old King Cole, 49 Leather, 50 See, 51 Backlog, 52 Sketch, 53 Advantageous, 54 Lass, 57 Pariah, 64 Exonerate, 65 Censure, 66 Maddens, 68 Shorten, 70 Amateur, 71 Recipe, 72 Hears, 74 World, 76 Lilac, 78 News, 79 Barb.

Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down. More than one solution may be possible.

FOR SALE

1 PINE TV corner cabinet, very good condition $200. Phone John 027 525 8189.

2 RECLINER CHAIRS, faux suede, brown, very good condition $250 each. Phone John 027 525 8189.

12MM UTILITY Cladding 2,440 x 1,200 $89. 2,745 x 1,200 $99. Scooters Plywood 09 438 6565.

2002 JEEP Grand Cherokee Overland High lift, winch, ball bars, big tyres. Rego on hold. Still drives but needs transmission work. $2,500. Phone 021 132 4107.

6,800 LITRE Stainless Steel Vat for sale $2,000 ono. Phone Chris 021 646 050.

CARAVAN EWOF (and marine). Call your local inspector today at A+ Electrical Inspections and Security on 021 240 6764.

CARPET, VINYL and hard flooring. Full supply and installation service. Mobile showroom. Free measure and quote. Phone Christine — Kaipara Flooring Co 021 515 415.

SUZUKI ESCUDO Vitara/Grand Vitara — car parts, WOF parts, 4x4 parts etc. Good parts, good prices. Phone Derek 09 439 7573.

TOP SOIL, top quality, $85 per m³ onto your trailer, or truck deliveries available for larger orders. Phone 021 132 4107 or 09 439 5141.

FOR SALE

WHITE LEATHER Lounge suite. 3 + 2-seater. Purchased

2022 for $6,000.

PERSONAL

ARE YOU an older lady sick of sitting at home and wishing you had a partner to go on outings/adventures with. Phone Wayne 09 439 5566.

NURSERIES & PLANTS

EXCELLENT RANGE of vegetable and flower seedlings, very established new season strawberry plants at $3.50 each. Hours over Easter: Closed Fri–Sun, Open Sat–Mon 9am–1pm. Phone Etha 09 439 2115.

GRAZING

GRAZING SHORT or long term. available Te Kopuru/ Redhill area. Phone Craig 021 206 3498.

PET SUPPLIES

PET DOORS — Cat Doors, Dog Doors for Glass or Timber — supplied and installed. Phone 027 275 0918 or 09 439 6458 Kevin Sowter or visit my website: windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.

PROPERTY

WANTED TO BUY

SHIPPING CONTAINERS 20 ft of 40 ft. Can pick up. Phone or text 027 459 7103 or 09 493 7103.

SUZUKI 4X4 Wanted to buy — parked, damaged or unwanted, Escudo Vitara/Grand Vitara. Phone Derek 09 439 7573.

WANTED TO RENT

MATURE WOMAN requires long-term rental in the Kaipara, Dargaville or Whangarei area. Gardening/ Hort exp. Will do small maintenance. Good references available. Please phone Christine Bell 022 375 6679.

FENCING

FENCING, ALL types of fencing, pool, stockyards, post & rail, boundary plus… call Jeff 027 476 5458.

TREE SERVICES

TREE REMOVAL, pruning, chipping & stump grinding. Qualified & Insured. Phone Scott 0800 468 9663, Arborcare Tree Maintenance.

TREE TRIMMING Truck using Grapple/Saw – 26m reach — Pruning, Removal, Chipping, Qualified Arborists

SIMPLE – FAST – SAFE – QUALIFIED – EXPERIENCED

– VALUE

CLASSIFIEDS

SITUATIONS VACANT

KAIHU VALLEY SCHOOL KAIPARA

AIDE

TEACHER

15 hours per week:

8.30am to 2.30pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Start date:

Beginning of Term 2, 2023

Please contact: principal@kaihu.school.nz

ARGAVILLE MEDICALCENTR

D

E Caring for our community Atawhaitia

We are looking for a Registered Nurse to join our busy Medical Centre, full time and part time hours available. Job sharing will be considered for the right applicants. New graduates are also encouraged to apply.

The ideal applicant must have; a current APC, excellent communication skills, have a ‘can do’ attitude and work well within a team.

Full on the job training will be provided if you have no previous practice nurse experience. We offer a competitive remuneration package and a great working environment.

Closing date Thursday 27th April 2023

Please send a covering letter and your CV to: Dallas Taylor: dallas@dargavilledocs.co.nz

Ruawai College

Fixed-term 1.0 FTTE

Our college in the beautiful Kaipara region is looking to employ a fixed-term teacher with strengths in teaching in Junior school (Years 7 and 8 in particular).

The applicant we seek should be enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to quality teaching and learning. A willingness to make a contribution to the rich, co-curricular life of the school is important.

The start date is Term 2, Monday 24 April 2023, and ends Friday 8 December 2023.

Applications close Wednesday 5 April 2023, at 3:00pm.

To request an application pack, please contact Tyla O’Sullivan, Principal’s PA via email at pa@ruawaicollege.school.nz.

PHONE 09 439 6933

Closing date for classified advertising for the April 11 2023 edition is Thursday, April 6 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

ACOUSTIC MUSIC Blackboard Concert — First Thursday of the month — 7–9.30pm, next is 6th April 2023, Kaipara Community Centre, Hokianga Road, Dargaville.

$2 entry, $2 raffle. Performers and audience welcome.

Phone Allan 09 439 6933 or 021 439 697. An enjoyable night to be part of, sit back and be entertained by some great local talent.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS both Dargaville AA Meetings are held at the church, corner Parore and Normanby Streets. Use Parore St entrance. Monday 4.30pm & Thursday 7.30pm. Phone Bernie 027 212 2148, Ladies 020 4082 1373, Murray 09 439 5248.

ARE YOU having problems with your mobile phone or other devices? Perhaps someone at the Digital Clinic will be able to help you out. Held at Citizens Advice Bureau, Friday 14 April, first appointment at 10.30am. Phone 09 439 6100 or drop in at 37 Hokianga Road (Town Hall complex) to make an appointment.

DARGAVILLE HEALING rooms 7pm Tuesdays. No charge & no appointment necessary. Lion of Judah Building, River Road. All Welcome. Check us out on Facebook.

PUBLIC NOTICES

DEATH NOTICES

ASSEMBLE AT RSA 1000HRS (10:00AM)

FALL IN FOR MARCHERS 1020HRS (10:20AM)

MARCH 1030HRS (10:30AM)

WREATH LAYING

ROLL OF HONOUR WW1 & WW2

PADRE (PRAYER FOR THE FALLEN)

LAST POST ODE

REVEILLE

NATIONAL ANTHEMS (NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA)

SPEECHES

FALL OUT REFRESHMENTS

If there is anyone wanting to lay a wreath, please contact Neville Andrew email naandrew42@gmail.com ph 022 614 0155 | 09 431 8191

BADMINTON

Wednesdays from 12th April 7pm – 9pm | $2 per night

Dargaville High School Gym, Plunket St (note change of venue.) Some racquets available. All Welcome 13 yrs & over | Enquiries 021 439 157

DARGAVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC INTERVIEWS (ALL YEARS)

THURSDAY 4TH MAY

FRIDAY 5TH MAY

We wish to invite parents/caregivers/whanau to our Academic Coaching interviews on Thursday 4th May (10am - 7pm) Friday 5th May (9am - 3pm). You can book your appointments online at www.schoolinterviews.co.nz

use code: kqbp9

Alternatively, you may contact the school office 09 439 7229, office@darghigh.school.nz

Please be aware DHS will be closed for instruction on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th May in order for these interviews to take place.

We look forward to seeing you!

RADONICH, Leonard Mate (Len)

Passed away peacefully at home on 28th March 2023, surrounded by family; in his 95th year.

Dearly loved husband of the late Anne for 65 years. Cherished father and father-in-law of George (dec) and Amanda, and John. Special Grandpa to Joe, Samuel, Gabriel, and Leiarra. Devoted Great-grandpa to Kacey.

Len’s Service will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hokianga Road, Dargaville on Tuesday, 4th April 2023 at 11am, followed by private burial. The family would like to thank the staff at Kauri Coast Resthome for their loving care of Len. All communications to PO Box 35, Dargaville 0340.

Calling of all artists and song writers. We have an exciting new project that might help launch your music career to exciting new heights. Come and help form the future of original

Public notice

(Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012)

Dargaville Merchants Limited of Dargaville, has made application to the Kaipara District Licensing Committee for an off-licence in respect of the premises situated at 70 Victoria Street, Dargaville known as The Bottle O Dargaville

The general nature of the business conducted under the licence is bottle store

The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are:

Monday to Sunday 10am to 10pm.

The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the Kaipara District Licensing Committee at 32 Hokianga Road, Dargaville or Unit 13, 6 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai.

Any person who is entitled to object and who wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 15 working days after the first publication of this public notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee, Private Bag 1001, Dargaville 0340.

No objection to the renewal of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 105 (1) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The applicant has applied for the same terms and conditions as the licence currently in force at the premises. Section 102 (4) SSAA is therefore deemed to apply. Objections may only be made in terms of suitability.

This is the second publication of this notice. The first was published on the 28th of March 2023

MARSDEN METALS & WASTE

52 BEACH RD, DARGAVILLE OPENING 11TH

APRIL

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm

Saturday 8am to 12pm

Cash paid for Scrap Me t al

Gordon & Marsden Me t als ha v e

been opera t ing in Nor t hland for o v er y ears .

Locall y o w ned & t r u s t ed

Comm unity Seeds

Bring y o u r scrap me t al in t o

R u akaka or Darga v ille y ards

d u ring April and pick u p a pack of free w in t er v ege seeds

marsdenmetalsgroup.co.nz