The Weekend Lifestyler, August 4th 2023

a valued member of the little town of lights volunteer fire brigade. Lish says she loves seeing the community expand and grow and believes the years watching her mother volunteer opened up her passion for helping others.

THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY INTEGRITY COMMUNITY MEDIA, A PRIVATELY OWNED NORTHLAND COMPANY.

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A life dedicated to horses

u by Amy Fifita

Leanne Woolley says she was surprised when she discovered that Albertland Pony Club members Angie Bruce and Joanne Marshall had nominated her for the Waitematā-Rodney area coach of the year.

“I was honoured that these ladies felt I was worthy,” Albertland Pony Club chief coach Leanne said.

“I grew up in a large family and had always loved horses from a young age. My parents came from a farming background but moved into town before I was born. My neighbour had a horse. I spent my weekends there trying to ride on any horse, even if it was doubling for miles around the back roads of Wellsford.

“As payment for that, I would clean gear, brush her horse, hold the horse for the farrier and whatever they needed in exchange for a ride. My parents relented when I was 12 years old and scraped

“All my daughters rode when they were little, but Briar has carried it on as a career. There was always a horse at home, and Briar showed an interest in horses, so when we moved to a larger property in Tomarata, we bought an old pony.

“She began Pony Club at four years old when myself and three other horsey ladies decided to get it up and running again.

“I have managed or coached many district teams and help out with horse mastership lessons when I can. I am a volunteer coach at Albertland whenever they need me.

together enough money to buy me an old farm horse.

“I wore the old boy out teaching him to jump and trying to do dressage, and he would go around with his tongue hanging out, which, concerned the coaches. I made amazing friends at Pony Club, and there is where my passion for what the club started.”

“In my early 20s, I was head coach and did a season but found it overwhelming and became a call-in coach. The branch went into recess, but by then, I had had my first daughter and wasn’t involved.”

Briar Woolley, Leanne’s eldest daughter, also has a love for horses and is now an equestrian.

“Many riders have competed for Waitematā-Rodney one year. Three riders from our little branch were in the eventing champs team at the same time — a huge achievement for a small branch in a big pool of riders.

“When I see a rider and horse achieve, I get goosebumps and feel proud to have possibly helped them in some small way — that’s why I keep going back.

“The Wellsford area has always provided my family with great friendships, wonderful neighbours and good country schools. I have been here all my life and raised three daughters with Kevin, my husband.” ¢

BY PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY NOT “EXPERTS” ONLINE

p Matthew Verhoeven, young coach of the year nominee, Celia Pickens, long service award winner and Leanne Woolley, coach of the year nominee

“I have managed or coached many district teams and help out with horse mastership lessons when I can”

A natural future on the coast

u by Amy Fifita

Bream Bay Coastal Care Trust members have been restoring the natural habitat in the area by planting 1,000 spinifex and pīngao plants on the Ruakākā estuary in the last year.

“I am a founding member of the BBCC and was also a member of the Royal Forest and Bird Society,” BBCC founding member Marilyn Cox says.

“When I was an RFBS member, I worked with inspirational people on Waiheke Island, looking after animals and birds and became a committed environmentalist. We got funding to turn the Whakanewha land into a regional park.

“Thirty years ago, there was an eroded area at the beginning of the park, and Don Chapel planned native trees on it. Now when you go there, it is covered in native bush. My work on Waiheke Island is a good example of native regeneration, and I am now focussing on replacing the forest that was at Bream Bay with other BBCC members.”

Marilyn says that the BBCC projects have created resilience and strong bonds of mutual respect and friendships amongst its members.

“Bream Bay has really good coastal land, which is very rare, and it would be a waste if we didn’t look after it. It is interesting to watch how the dunes behave — they go in and out and protect the land. Education is part of my mission so that people can understand that the dunes have an important function on the coast. The evidence of climate change is everywhere, and I want people to think about others and the future.

“I am also concerned about damage on the dunes done by vehicles. We believe that closing off the beach to vehicles would solve many problems, including wholesale dune destruction that occurs along the shores of Bream Bay. We have put considerable effort over the past year in trying to achieve that.

“During the past year, we have planted 1,000 pīngao and spinifex on the north

and south sides of the Ruakākā estuary. We have put in another 300 native trees and plants at our various projects at the Ruakākā Dune Lake, Paradise Shores and Uretiti Beach. We have been working for a long time and have about five projects. There are also people planting and trapping along the Waipū and Ruakākā rivers.”

The trust is hosting a two-hour working bee at Uretiti Beach on Saturday, August 19, at 9am, and volunteers are encouraged to bring their gardening tools. For more information, follow the group on the Bream Bay Coastal Care Trust Facebook page. ¢

p Lucina Cummings, Spencer Cummings, Glenis Rickey and Greg Stump, BBCC members, planting spinifex and pīngao on damaged dunes at the Ruakākā Wildlife Refuge

p Last year, the BBCC trust held a big working bee in a collaboration with the Northland Regional Council and the Department of Conservation Photo: Cheryl Laurie

“During the past year, we have planted 1,000 pīngao and spinifex”

Fundraiser for ‘Team Frankie’

u by Amy Fifita

One Tree Point School students enjoyed their day as superheroes raising $976 for Team Frankie, which is about to embark on the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ Step Up Challenge. “Our students had fun being superheroes and strutting their stuff on the catwalk,” says Gemma Bradburn, OTPS deputy principal. “It helped to empower students to feel like they can make a difference for Team Frankie and other families experiencing the same journey.”

p Teams of superheroes arrived at One Tree Point School to the aid of the Team Frankie fundraiser last Friday to raise money for the LBCNZ Step Up Challenge

p The heroic students fighting for the good battle to help one of their classmate’s family raise money for LBCNZ

p Frankie (third from left) Amyra, Chloe and Mila celebrating the day that involved a catwalk, a feast and Hannah, Frankie’s mum, share Frankie’s story in a child-friendly way

p Leo, Frankie’s brother with Luca, Quinn, Zac and Finn dressed as heroic characters to support the Step Up Challenge fundraiser

p The students had a fun day making a difference and raising funds for a cause close to their heart

A Scottish treat

u by Amy Fifita

Bakers, young and adult, competed in the novelty, traditional and children categories at the annual shortbread competition hosted by the Waipū Volunteer Fire Brigade.

“I baked a batch of shortbread a few weeks ago, and it was awesome,” Waipū fire chief Alan Vaile said.

“My new position as fire chief is a lot busier than when I was a senior firefighter. Trevor, my brother and I work well as a team and bounce ideas off each other. The Vaile family has been in Waipū since 1921, so we are very much a part of the town.

“There were 39 entries. Our decision wasn’t all about taste. We also judged on texture, appearance, colour and innovation. There were some differences of opinion, but our decisions were close.”

Senior firefighter Trevor Vaile said that the event began when

the Waipū Business Association approached the firefighters to do a shortbread competition.

“We accepted and have run it for about a decade,” senior firefighter Trevor Vaile says.

“I have been involved since the beginning and was the fire chief for 11 years before Alan took charge. Covid got in the way of the event for a couple of years, and last year was the first time we had it since the pandemic.

“It was an open competition and we had no idea how many entries there would be. There were three categories, children (under 12 years old), novelty and traditional.

“We invited all of the team for a better and broader concept for our final decision. Decisions mostly come down to appearance and taste. In previous years we have had shortbread presented as fish and chips and displayed in newspapers, Scottie dogs, firefighters and other innovative ideas.

“Its purpose is to encourage good comradery amongst different walks of life for a common interest. We are thankful to Waipū Museum, Waipū Hammer Hardware and Waipū Central for their sponsorship and generous support.”

All of the firefighters were invited to be on the judges panel, including firefighter Lyndie Mullins, who got to taste the creations.

“I enjoy tasting the baking and seeing different families and community members take part, especially the young ones,” says Lyndie.

“Waipū is a great community base like all small towns, and we’ve done events from shortbread to the Men In Kilts rugby game.

“I have been part of the neighbourhood for 13 years and have been a firefighter for nine of those years. The townspeople are embracive, and there is a good mix of young and older ones.”

Winners on the day in order of placement were Rosa, Lucas and Megan for juniors, Robyn, Lily and Sue for novelty, and Tahlia and Sheree, Holly, Janine and Lexis for traditional. ¢

p Winning entrants for the shortbread competition held at the Waipū as part of the Waipū Winter Festival

p Devon Billings, an aspiring firefighter in the arms of Doug Scott, grandfather, alongside Trevor, senior firefighter and Alan Vaile, fire chief

Spires of glory

u by Liz Clark

As winter nears its wet, cold end, the time for being inspired to colour up the garden is charged with the promise of towering blooms of delphiniums basking in the sun.

Often used as the backdrop for cottage gardens, these striking flowering perennials fit into any garden setting. The colour ranges from lavender, blue, pink and white with contrasting centres. Flower forms are double and semi-double blooms, depending on the cultivar selected. They’re also ideal for large cut flower arrangements to brighten up the home indoors.

Choose a sunny, warm position protected from strong winds. Delphiniums, with their tall flowering stems, can snap and break and require staking once the flower spikes have formed. Before planting, ensure there is good drainage and plenty of organic matter to provide a good growing

environment to encourage strong roots and long-term blooming. Build up the planting bed and ensure compost and soil are well mixed together — compost can burn the roots if left unmixed.

Planting should be done either early morning or late afternoon to prevent the sun from burning the plants. Water before removing from the pot and again after planting. Spacing should be considered when planting delphiniums. They need to have plenty of air circulation to prevent problems with blight and other fungal diseases from afflicting the plants. Avoid placing your seedlings too close together. Position supporting stakes for each delphinium if it is a tall-growing variety.

Liquid-feeding your seedlings will encourage good root structure, leaves and abundant flowers. Prune off any spent flowers to prolong blooming.

Due to their poisonous nature, delphiniums are not recommended for planting in situations where there are young children and pets. Mulch plants to a depth of five to eight centimetres, avoiding the stem bases, to conserve moisture in the drier summer months.

Some of the cultivars available are Black Eyed Angels, Blue Buccaneers, Double Innocence, Dusky Maiden, Mini Stars, Pagan Purples and Sunny Skies. Talk to your local garden centre about options, or look online for more information. ¢

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Volunteers keep the red trucks rolling

u by Andy Bryenton

Every rural fire brigade in New Zealand

would love to see more people come on board; as a largely volunteer force, willing locals are the backbone of firefighting defences.

The image in many minds of a firefighter is that of a strong and powerfully built young person charging into danger to save those in trouble. While there are many people who fit this heroic image in Kaipara and Bream Bay’s brigades, other firefighters come from all walks of life — men and women of many ages, united by a dedication to the job.

Not all volunteers respond to incidents. Brigade support volunteers are vital to the success of their brigade. They complete administrative tasks and other duties that keep the brigade running smoothly. They may also work with communities helping them to reduce the risk of fire in homes.

Behind each brigade member on the front lines is a support network

of understanding and helpful people. These are the employers and co-workers who understand when a firefighter has to down tools or leave suddenly when the siren sounds. Without the cooperation of business owners who accommodate the unpredictable nature of fire call-outs, there could be no rapid response.

Then there are the family and whānau of firefighters, who back their loved ones 100 per cent, knowing that they may be out working all night in a crisis and restructuring the small but important things in their lives accordingly. Meals at odd hours, firefighters in the family who might need to catch some sleep where possible, and being prepared for call-outs at odd hours are all part of the commitment. There are many ways to help, but now, as ever, the one fire brigades need most is people who will stand up for their community and train as firefighters. Those who do the job will tell you that it’s not about having the strength of a superhero in your muscles but having the determination to do good for your community.

need

p The opening of a new fire station for Mangawhai provided a massive asset for the brigade, but the real foundation of local firefighting is people

TO OUR FRONTLINE –

In the footsteps of knights

u by Andy Bryenton

Hato Hone St John is a well-known name in emergency response and frontline care, operating ambulances across Kaipara and wider New Zealand.

The roots of this organisation go back much further than the modern Order of St John, which was incorporated in Britain in 1888 by Queen Victoria. The New Zealand branch of the order has been in operation since 1885. St John has been a byword for helping the sick and injured since at least 1070 CE.

When Reverend Thomas Flavell and Dr Walter Hacon proposed the establishment of a St John ambulance service in New Zealand, they would have been well aware of the history of the name and its basis in the age of mediaeval chivalry. It all began during the era when pilgrims from Europe would make the long and dangerous journey to Jerusalem to see first-hand the sites described in the Bible. It was a hard road, and sickness, banditry and natural hazards were many.

A group of monks in Jerusalem set up a hospice for travellers; in those times, the word hospice denoted a sanctuary for healing. By 1113 CE the pope had

heard of the monks and their work, and he incorporated the Order of the Hospital of Saint John. Notably, the healers there offered aid to those of any faith, and they learned many things from the cultures of the Middle East and India, which improved their skill, combining them with the herb-lore of Europe and medical texts written by Roman and Greek physicians such as Galen of Pergamum.

Soon the Hospitallers became a knightly order, dedicated to defending

people against accident and illness, and developing a cadre of soldiers to defend them physically in an age of political and social upheaval.

During the years of the crusades, the order was reestablished on the island of Malta, where they built a huge hospital complex with research space for scholars of anatomy, a secure ward for infectious disease patients, a separate maternity ward, and a library of medical texts which may have been the world’s largest at the time.

Today, Hato Hone St John continues to use the cross of Malta in its heraldry, and though the tools of the order have changed and progressed to a modern ambulance fleet, the dedication of those who serve under that insignia would be familiar to those original monks. Volunteering to help their fellow citizens when injury and sickness threaten is still the ethos of St John in New Zealand today.

p St John ambulance services have long been a welcome sight to those in need of aid in New Zealand, all the way back to classics, such as the Valiant ambulance variant

Proud to support our

A heart for global family

u by Amy Fifita

Chief fire officer Darrell Trigg and a team of Ruakākā firefighters are supporting their Australian counterparts and will ascend the Crown Metropol Hotel for charity.

“Six of us from Ruakākā are going to the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb to fundraise for crisis support and cancer research,” Darrell says.

“Marama Ahomiro, Andy Hughes, David Longdill, Oscar Channings, Rahul Gupta and I will be climbing 28 floors of the Crown Metropol Tower in a full firefighter kit and breathing apparatus. Oscar and I have done it before, but everyone has done the Sky Tower climb before.

The MFSC aims to raise $700,000 to support Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and the Triple Zero Foundation. Approximately 700 firefighters are ascending the tower.

“The best part of the event is when they present the proceeds to the charities because you know the training and hard work benefits charities that do great work in the community. The charity representatives are so grateful and give a speech about what they do.

“Stair climbing for charity began after the 9/11 event where everybody was going down the stairs, and the firefighters were going up the stairs. Many people don’t realise that the firefighters were getting the gear to a floor to start work. It came about in recognition of the lives of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the Twin Towers collapse.

“There are climbs around the world now. In 2019, the group of us, including a lady from Seattle, a man from Los Angeles, and my brother and I travelled to do climbs in Auckland, Sydney, New York and Calgary. It was an awesome circuit to do.”

To contribute, go to firefighterclimb. org.au and donate on behalf of the Ruakākā Volunteer Fire Brigade.

“Even though it is for Australian charities, Australian and other global firefighters reciprocate that support and come to New Zealand to fundraise for the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge.” ¢

The fortune of firefighters

u by Amy Fifita

The Waipū Volunteer Fire Brigade is there when you need them for emergencies and continues to serve the public.

Waipū now has two fire station buildings that stand as a reminder of community volunteers that provide comfort to the town and surrounding areas in the case of a blaze. Leading up to the Waipū Volunteer Fire Brigade being established, there was a growing concern about who would fight fires in remote areas.

The Waipū Dairy Factory fire of 1941 led to a £8,500 loss for the company, devastating the main area. Staff member Fred Walker discovered the building enveloped in flames at 5.30 in the morning and sounded the alarm. Due to no suitable appliances being in the area at the time, it took two and a half hours before the fire could be quelled.

The blaze continued and was fueled by the flammable materials stored in the building. Modern machinery was destroyed in the fire. The incident was deemed unsuspicious, and the Maungatūroto Co-operative Dairy Company offered aid to store saved cream supplies and work for Waipū workers. Another dilemma that depicts

the importance of their service was a bushfire in February 1946. The Waipū police reported the incident to the Whangārei branch of the Public Works Department (PWD) which scrambled to find a person responsible for extinguishing the inferno — the state forest officer.

There was no state forest officer in Whangārei. In efforts to track down a responsible candidate, they rang the Auckland office for assistance which

was no help either. The issue was that they didn’t know the property’s location.

By that time, two hours had passed, and the PWD jumped into action, despite a response not being within its official authority. A truck with firefighting gear was dispatched, and a group of highway workers were collected from Ōtaika on the way to the Waipū forest blaze.

Fortunately, Waipū has been equipped with a dedicated team of firefighters to assist in emergencies.

Proud to support our volunteer

p The Waipū Fire Brigade was established in the 1950s to serve the community for firefighting and other emergencies

Photo: Janine Boult

A community spirit

u by Ann van Engelen

Born and bred in Kaiwaka, Lish Reynolds is the fifth generation in her family to call the little town of lights home and spends many hours volunteering in the community.

“My mum was a single mum raising two girls and was always involved in community things like Playcentre, St John and the school,” says Lish.

“She always volunteered to help with things we were involved in, and I think she passed the bug to help others on to me. We attended Kaiwaka Primary School and Otamatea High School. I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was young, but my guidance counsellor said I wasn’t clever enough, so I didn’t pursue it.”

Being from a local family, people who knew Lish offered her employment.

“My first job was working with calla lilies at the nursery before it became Kauri Park Nurseries, and then I worked at the world-famous fish and chip shop with Dave and Anita. I had

my boys in 2004 and 2005 and started volunteering at Playcentre.”

Lish became the Playcentre president and was responsible for getting the onsite car park made.

“I worked hard for that because we had unsafe roadside parking. When the boys went to school, I became a teacher aide and loved that job as it was so transient. It became permanent but not

“Having had years of being involved in St John with my mum, blood, guts and death never scared me as we were always crash test dummies for mum for training. We always had fake blood on us, so I was never bothered by it.

consistent, and Greg and Paula Jaques offered me a job at the Kaiwaka Four Square, and I became a part of their family and have been here ever since.

“It was when I was with the Jaques that I signed up with the volunteer fire brigade to give back to the community. Greg and Paula supported me as their way of giving back too, and now I work for Ant and Jess, and they have carried on supporting my role.

“I joined the brigade when a close friend, who was also a teacher aide, died in a car accident. A lot of people said if I had been in the brigade, then I would have been a good support for her through that time.”

Lish joined the Kaiwaka Volunteer Fire Brigade just before Covid.

“When Covid happened, we had to shut down, so my beginning was put on hold. Then I had to be in for a little while before I could do my recruits course. I am 43 years old now and am currently starting my journey to become a qualified firefighter and live for the brigade.

“It was when I was with the Jaques that I signed up with the volunteer fire brigade to give back to the community”

p With encouragement from friends, Lish put herself forward to become the Kaiwaka Sports Association president and succeeded

“We train on Monday nights at the station on Gibbons Road at 7.30pm and always encourage new volunteers to join us. At training, we do lots of rolling out and rolling up hoses and using the pumps. I am working on being more confident using the pumps.

“We do a lot of truck maintenance to ensure we are up to scratch and ready to go. It is more difficult in winter as we can’t get our gear too wet because we can’t go out in wet gear. Our team has a lot of jokes together. It is a lot of fun, and three of us recently did the Sky Tower Stair Climb Challenge for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

“Kraig Steiner and Micky Renton have done it previously, but this was my first year, and I wasn’t prepared for the endurance at all, even though I trained. I found it really exhausting, which shocked me.

“The other competitors were so good, and all patted me on the helmet encouragingly as they went past while I was kneeling on the ground exhausted,

but I did complete it. Next year I plan to beat my time, and then I’ll be a happy lady.

“We were proud to raise around $4,500, which is the most our brigade has raised since we began doing it. I love everything about the brigade and being part of a team and something big while helping the community because I know so many people from working at the Four Square. I like the community connection and what we do to help when we can.

“We do a lot of ambulance support and are quite often the first response to medical events or accidents because they are so busy. Our team is qualified in co-response for first aid and has oxygen and our skill sets if we arrive at the scene first. We attend car accidents and support police and other rescue tenders as well.

“We aren’t a rescue tender so can’t cut people out of vehicles but we support other crews in what they need and of course we also put out fires. It

really is a big family and the guys are so good they never put me in any situation that I don’t feel comfortable with. They’re very understanding and accepting of my personal limits.

“There are so many scenarios that we attend, and happy endings are always good. When I go to sad things, I feel happy that we’ve been able to support the family. If someone passes, I feel happy that I was there for the person at that time and was able to chat with them or be with them in their time of need.

“People often say that I am extremely good at what I do, but I see it as talking to people as they go through their trauma.”

Lish recently took on the role of president of the Kaiwaka Sports Association.

“I decided to put my hand up to work on the KSA because I knew the previous president wanted to retire. My friend Jean and I thought I should go for it as I know a few of the younger people who are involved in the sports groups, and

they said they’d support me, so I went for it.

“There are so many great people in the world, and you have no idea what they are doing. I feel we have a good team that I can call on if we want to do something or need to get something done. I want our community to look after each other, like the lady who runs the youth on a Friday night and Siobhan who donates her time to boot camp and things.

“I try not to say no to things because our community is awesome, and it’s growing. Being at the Four Square, I am in central view of the whole world, and we have so many people who don’t put their hand up for the accolades because they are serving from the heart.

“We have neighbours and family who look out for each other, and I have always thought that we are a little hidden gem. People go through town as if nothing is here, but there is a lot here. Kaiwaka has always had a great vibe, and that’s something we don’t want to lose.” ¢

“There are so many great people in the world, and you have no idea what they are doing. I feel we have a good team that I can call on if we want to do something or need to get something done”

p As a fifth-generation family member, Lish says she loves everything about the Kaiwaka community p Lish with her employers at Four Square Kaiwaka, Jess and Ant Pederson

p As a team member at Four Square Kaiwaka, Lish enjoys serving the community in her many roles

A place for fun and connection

u by Amy Fifita

Circus Kumarani will work alongside Circool Circus to grow the circus scene in the Bream Bay area with classes in Ruakākā and Mangawhai.

“I moved to New Zealand a decade ago to do a placement at Circus Kumarani and enjoyed it so much that I have stayed on,” says Circus Kumarani community engagement liason Lisa Lü.

“From 10 years old, I was a circus child and found myself in this weird parallel universe where I suddenly fitted in. I want to pass that on and give that opportunity to other youth and people. Some of the children that are coming to our class are like me when I was younger.

“Circus is multidisciplinary, and we teach skills like juggling, hula-hooping, flower sticks and so on. We also teach skills like balancing and acrobatics. We have so many activities that anyone can find a place in the circus.

“It is great for your physical health, hand-eye coordination and social life. We are passionate about adjusting our teaching methods to the people we have, like those who are neurodiverse or have disabilities — all ages and abilities is our slogan.

“You often have fun, and you don’t realise all the other good stuff that is

THERE

WOMEN’S

Such as troublesome bleeding; menopause concerns; abnormal smears; pelvic pain; pain or irritation ‘down there’; fertility issues; non–surgery options for prolapse and bladder problems. Many of the common problems can be treated with simple minor procedures done either at the clinic or at Kensington Hospital.

The emphasis at the clinic is on making sure women have as much information as possible about their own health on which to base their decisions as to the type of treatment that is best for them.

Dr. Rachel Moss, the specialist gynaecologist, can see you to make a thorough gynaecological assessment and discuss options for treatment.

A GP referral can be helpful but is not essential.

happening in the background — it benefits your mind, body and connection with others. You come to learn juggling, and suddenly, you are connected with someone.

“Circool Circus has been running Bream Bay classes for more than 20 years. We worked with Achmed Abman, and he has relocated to Auckland, but CC is still operational, and we want to regrow the circus scene in the area.”

Lexi Laybourn and Charlie Winslow will be teaching the Ruakākā classes, and the Mangawhai lessons will be taught by Sophie Often and Zion David.

“Circus Kumarani has stepped in to take charge of the classes. We have done initiatives in Waipū before, like the Youth Circus Festival last year, and we know there is interest in Bream Bay.

“We decided to give it a shot and found places in Ruakākā and Mangawhai. We have run free holiday breakaway programmes, and people kept asking

if we could come and teach regularly. If it goes well, we will continue it until the end of the term. We are doing children’s classes and one for 12 years old plus.”

Ruakākā classes are on Mondays at the Ruakākā Recreation Centre, and Mangawhai classes are on Wednesdays

at the Mangawhai Library Hall. It costs $25 a lesson or $100 for five weeks. Beginner Kids Circus (five to 12 years old) classes from 3.15–4.15pm and Beginner Circus (12 years old plus and adults welcome) classes from 4.30–5.30pm. ¢

p Sophie Often will be one of the Mangawhai teachers sharing her talents and guidance for circus fun

PUZZLE TIME

Jumbo crossword

Sudoku

ACROSS: 1 Antwerp, 4 Sweetheart, 9 Prodigy, 13 Page, 14 Jaguar, 15 Imbibe, 16 Episode, 19 Effortless, 20 Specimen, 21 Brief, 24 Fiancé, 25 Flimsy, 27 Spinnaker, 32 Offender, 33 School, 34 Beeswax, 38 Smoulder, 39 Glider, 40 Edge, 41 Plead, 42 Agony, 45 The Water-Babies, 52 Bogie, 55 Calms, 56 Acts, 57 Iguana, 58 Prolific, 61 Celsius, 62 Grille, 63 Reclines, 66 Incapable, 68 Images, 69 Adjust, 73 Chord, 74 Overtake, 76 Assessment, 81 Obtains, 82 Spinet, 83 Island, 84 Tarn, 85 Layered, 86 Adaptation, 87 Dilemma. DOWN: 1 Apple, 2 Tug-of-war, 3 Pearls, 4 Sours, 5 Ears, 6 Thirsty, 7 Emblem, 8 Rabbi, 10 Ripe, 11 Deserve, 12 Gadget, 17 Gracefully, 18 Feint, 22 Umbrella, 23 Wafer, 24 Fuchsia, 26 Lids, 28 Proverb, 29 Reject, 30 Cherub, 31 Safari, 33 Sedge, 35 Salvo, 36 Solo, 37 Ogre, 43 Grader, 44 Names, 46 Hack, 47 Wastrel, 48 Trifle, 49 Rouge, 50 Abnormal, 51 Sordid, 52 Balderdash, 53 Gift, 54 Excerpt, 59 Cuban, 60 Acre, 64 Salve, 65 Lukewarm, 67 Narrate, 68 Inertia, 70 Phobia, 71 Catnap, 72 Penned, 75 Rapid, 77 Salon, 78 Tinea, 79 Once, 80 Fiji.

across the grid and five down. More than one solution may be possible.