The Weekend Lifestyler, January 20th 2023

Honouring an artist

Gay Benn took her love and appreciation of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s art to a new level by making dolls designed on the artist herself. Every doll is handcrafted, and models clothes and jewellery just like Frida wore and often

Elements of a funeral

There is a growing belief among different generations that a funeral is a waste of time in their busy lives. Why put themselves through the pain that a funeral can cause if you can just avoid it? But when we look deeper, we can see the importance of a meaningful farewell big or small, a chance for everyone to say goodbye. Grief is the natural reaction when we loose someone we love and care for. We cannot avoid it, no matter how hard we try. When someone attempts to avoid their grief it tends to make them hide their pain and emotions. This can cause them to have emotional well-being issues further down the track.

The best way to deal with grief is to embrace it, to expose ourselves to the pain and emotions that death can bring to us. A meaningful farewell is the point in time where we bring together all the elements that allow us to say goodbye in a positive way.

A meaningful farewell for a loved one will help in the following ways.

along with fruit baskets, cigars, pet monkeys or parrots. Based in Kaiwaka, Gay’s daughter Jeanette Suckling takes great delight in helping her mum to sell her dolls online for all to enjoy.

Whatever your wishes, the team at Morris & Morris can help you. We have funeral options to suit all budgets. Talk to the experts, we understand funerals.

“I hope to attract more than 1,000 competitors to the March 11 event at Whangārei Heads,” says Mark.

“The 2021 event attracted 740 hardy competitors, but with people starved of so many multi-sport events, we are receiving plenty of early enquiries, so the quicker people register the better.

“We want to encourage more Northlanders to get active and outdoors. There are plenty of distances to choose from, including a kids’ dash for the little ones. One change this year is the removal of the three-kilometre team run

New Zealand’s toughest half marathon and ranks highly on the trail event bucket list for many people.”

Northpower’s general manager of People and Capability, Andrea O’Brien, expects more than 100 Northpower staff from Wellington to Northland to compete in the 2023 event.

“Events like the Northpower Wild Kiwi have been a big part of our wellness initiatives in recent years,” says Ms O’Brien.

“We can’t wait to be back out there in March, have some fun and welcome

from the multisport to make it suitable for those who don’t have a runner.

“The MILD Kiwi is the perfect introduction to multisport and can be tackled in a team or individually. It includes a 5km sea kayak, an 18km mountain bike and a 10km run. Let’s face it, the Whangārei Heads are iconic New Zealand. You’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere in the world quite like it. The views go for days, and the trails will knock your running socks off. I know as I have done it.

“While there are some very achievable shorter distances in the event, the Northpower Wild Kiwi is quite possibly

visitors to our region. I challenge people to get out there with us and enjoy the amazing scenery while getting some exercise in.

“The Bream Head Scenic Reserve is a breathtaking coastal headland 45km south-east of Whangārei and has been the scene of habitat restoration and ongoing conservation efforts since 2002.”

Due to the risk of the Kauri Dieback Disease, contestants are again asked to ensure shoes, tyres and equipment are clean of dirt before beginning the race. For more information, go to thewildkiwi. co.nz.

u by Ann van Engelen The Northpower Wild Kiwi is back after a two-year hiatus, with Total Sport’s Mark Fordham aiming to make this popular multisport event the biggest yet.

p Northpower Wild Kiwi organiser Total Sport’s Mark Fordham

“Events like the Northpower Wild Kiwi have been a big part of our wellness initiatives in recent years”

Creative inspiration helps community

u by Ann van Engelen

“When we moved back to New Zealand, I worked for an agency in the Far North and did work for various organisations, including the Healthy Homes Tai Tokerau,” says Emma.

“That really stirred my interest in local community work, and I have also produced work for Northland Regional Council, Kaipara District Council and Parliament.

“I have recently been working alongside Northland Inc to become a registered training provider as an adviser for marketing through the Management Capability Development Fund through Hue Creative.

“Qualifying small businesses are offered a 50 per cent discount on

certain costs such as accounting and business planning. The services I will provide will be for marketing strategy planning and advice.

“I enjoy the visual side of business, and think there is so much to read these days that you can be bombarded with information. I think I see things differently from other people, and it is nice helping communicate through the visual aspect.”

Two projects Emma has worked on recently are the Waipū River Walk and new Waipū Museum signs.

“Working with Northland Inc as part of the Regional Business Partner Network was the next step for me to branch out with my business. Through the

Management Capability Development programme, I will train small businesses how to do things for themselves as larger businesses normally outsource their work, but small businesses need help with what to look for when doing things such as rebranding or marketing.

“I give business owners and managers the tools, so they can get things together to do things such as build their website. Sometimes people don’t know what they need for website content and images or how to look at target markets.

“For me, the Waipū Riverwalk and the museum signs were awesome projects where I could support the community through my skills. Working

locally, allows me to stay engaged with the community, and it is very satisfying knowing that different community businesses bring their skills together for a positive outcome.

“With the river walk sign, I worked alongside Marino Duke from Patuharakeke, and he did the kaperua pattern design for the signage. I was able to add his kaperua into the signage, and it looks beautiful. I love collaborating with people in the community because you are able to achieve great outcomes together, and my work with Regional Business Partner Network is all a part of that too.

“People can contact me at huecreative. co.nz for more information.” ¢

Waipū resident Emma McLean at Hue Creative has worked in the creative design industry for eighteen years, including almost eight years in Australia, and now offers her services locally, where she is involved with volunteer organisations as well.

p Emma McLean enjoys helping her community in various ways, particularly through her creative design experience

p Sandra McKay, Waipū Museum manager at the sign Emma helped create

Black Swamp bids farewell

u by Ann van Engelen

To honour founding Black Swamp Run member Mark Church, the crew dedicated its final hot rod event as The Mark Church Memorial Rod Run to Mark, raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association NZ.

“Mark was a founding member of the group in Mangawhai and is a cousin of the crew,” says organiser Sandra Brunt.

“Mark died on January 4 last year with Motor Neurone Disease. As a family, we decided with the logistics of organising the event that this would be our last run, and this event was to honour Mark.”

Mark loved his cars and built many with his brother Andrew.

“The family are passionate petrol heads for a word. Mark often went to shows, and his blue 1957 Chevy Bel Air, in particular, won many awards. The run

began 17 years ago when our cousins came to town with their cars and did a run to the Waipū Pizza barn.

“We continued doing that for a few years until the event got too big, so my brother Phil hosted it on his property at Black Swamp Road. Phil spent a lot of time preparing for the run every year, and it became a great fundraiser for local schools.

PROBLEMS

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.

“Drivers travelled from as far away as Manawatū, and the day ended at the Mangawhai Domain and people coming to see the cars. It ran from Mangawhai to Waipū and back to Black Swamp Road, where we would have a live band and family entertainment including Mr Whippy.”

By 9am on Saturday, January 7, the rumbling sounds of idling rods were heard arriving at the Mangawhai Domain for the final run.

“Many people were keen to view the variety of cars on display. The forecast wet weather probably contributed to a lower number of registrations, but thankfully, it was all clear for the 11am start. Mark would never have taken his Bel Air out in the rain, yet here it was, his pride and joy, the designated lead car with brother Andy at the wheel and his portrait in the passenger seat.

“Revving up behind was an eclectic mix of American and European classics, Chevs, vintage Fords, retro VW Beetles and a combi, roadsters, rat rods, muscle cars and, of course, Mustangs.

“The crew would like to thank everyone who participated, volunteered

and generously donated to help make

We are delighted to donate a total of $3,992.50 to Motor Neurone Disease Association NZ. For all who didn’t have cash, we encourage you to donate online direct to mnd.org.nz.” ¢

25

With a proven product designed and fabricated for the marine environment that is our front yard, we are a local business that specialises in building functional outdoor living spaces.

The amazing panels block out the UV and reduce the transfer of heat up to 40% without losing light into your living areas.

Add vertical glazing and/or blinds to further enhance your new space.

Based in Bream Bay, we cater to enquiries around Northland and have plenty of clients who are willing to showcase their structures to interested parties.

Get in touch, to find out how we can create a beautiful outdoor room at your place.

A convoy from Whangārei joined the run at Waipū for the coastal cruise back to Mangawhai’s Black Swamp, bringing the total number of registered entrants to 130.

this 17th annual event a success.

p Mark’s brother Andrew drove his blue 1957 Chevy Bel Air in lead position for the final Black Swamp Run

p Some of the crew at the Black Swamp Run finale

Car and bike show returns

u by Ann van Engelen

The Waipū Lions Club is

“Sunday, February 5 is the date, and this year, Northpine is again the major sponsor with continued business support from many other sponsors,” said Waipū Lions president Malcolm Norton.

“It all began when a local group needed to raise funds for a trip to Australia, and we hosted an event. Some 300 cars were on display that day, and we raised $7,500. The show has since gone from strength to strength, and this year, most of the money raised will be donated to the Waipū Cycle and Walkway to Waipū Cove and several groups who assist on the day.

“We have raised more than $100,000 across the years. I am sure there is something for everyone to look at. At previous shows, we had more than 700

cars and 120 motorbikes exhibited, with food stalls and many themed vendors.”

Categories include People’s Choice, best American, Australian and Japanese model, and more.

“Families love coming and seeing old cars and interacting with the guys and girls on their bikes. The range of motorcycles is really interesting. There are some very classic vehicles, and we also see the latest model Corvettes and Mustangs, with up to 30 car and bike clubs joining us.

“It is a great opportunity for both the older and younger generation to show others their pride, joy and passion. Vehicle owners enjoy chatting to people of all ages and telling their stories. We also encourage people to fill out the

People’s Choice cards, which is the ultimate prize in the show, along with 21 separate classes.

“There will also be activities, including bouncy castles and, of course, we love having the rock ‘n’ roll music in the background and seeing people walking around with big smiles on their faces. Some volunteers are in their 80s and cook all day to give back to the community. It is amazing to see.

“Straight after the car show, just up the road at 566 Cove Road is Rock n

Rods with a great line-up of classic rock bands live on stage, belting out all your favourites from the 60s to the 80s. Tickets are available from Eventfinda, at the car show and at the gate.

“If you are interested in being a part of the show with your vehicle, go to the Waipū Car and Bike Show Facebook page or contact Ron 021 992 445.”

Public entry is $10 a person, including the driver. Children under 12 are free, and a family pass is $30. Gates open from 10am, and the show concludes at 2pm. ¢

preparing to celebrate eight years of presenting the Northpine Waipū Car and Bike Show at Caledonian Park on Waitangi weekend.

p Karen Cave and her granddaughter Charlotte next to a 1957 C1 Chevrolet Corvette at a previous show

p More than 700 vehicles and 120 motorbikes were on display at previous shows

Queens of sweetness

u by Liz Clark

Passing by those pineapples for sale in the local supermarket, tropical fruit lovers must often wonder if such things can be grown at home.

The answer to that question is — yes, you can. However, pineapples are mainly restricted to growing in frost-free areas of Northland outdoors or protected by frost cloth and winter cold. In more southerly regions, a glasshouse is more suitable.

Pineapples grow slower in New Zealand due to the cooler temperatures. It takes around two years or more after initial planting for fruiting to occur, sometimes longer. A part of the bromeliad family, some varieties are now available to grow in the garden or pots.

Several species of these sun-loving plants have long, strappy leaves with sharp spines, meaning handling with care is required. Use a good quality pair of leather gloves when handling your plants. Smooth-leaf commercial cultivars, however, are also available.

Choose a sunny or lightly shaded, frostfree area and light, free-draining soil with plenty of organic matter for optimum growth. Since it is a tropical plant, pineapples need warm temperatures to thrive. Growth is most active during the late spring and summer; fruit ripens in summer. For plants being grown

outdoors, cover with a cloche and ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent the root systems from rotting. Potted plants should be brought indoors or placed in a sheltered area, such as a covered deck.

Two commercially available smooth-leaved pineapple varieties, Queen and Cayenne, are best suited for tight spaces in courtyards and on decks. Plant several of each since only one fruit on each plant is produced at a time. The delightful but sharp-spined red pineapple has small red fruit that is just as delicious as its larger cousins. These make ideal indoor plants where a good light source is available.

Pineapples can be grown from the tops cut off locally grown fruit sold at farmer’s markets. Allow the bottom to dry for at least 24 hours before planting. Ensure the crown is above the soil level and mulch well to protect the shallow feeder roots from damage once developed. Feeding should be done once a year, and watering should be kept to a minimum.

Look online for availability from local nurseries and more tips on growing pineapples. ¢

Fitness classes for all

u by Ann van Engelen

Mel McCabe began Mad Mel Movement in Wellsford as a place for people of all ages and physical abilities to exercise and gain personal strength.

“My parents are local to the area. I was born in Papua New Guinea but grew up in Mangawhai and attended Otamatea High School,” says Mel.

“I went to Waikato for university and graduated with a BA in Screen and Media and Communications. I spent my second year of university on an exchange in San Diego, in the United States, which was an experience that grew me a lot.

“After I graduated, I fell into construction office work and stayed with the company for eight years, and that took me to London. My fiancée Heath Colthurst and I moved home just as the first lockdown started, and I decided to take my personal fitness more seriously, as I was into CrossFit and other exercise.

“I began doing daily workouts with about 20 people via the Internet and after the lockdowns, I created boot camps for women across Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Wellsford.”

Mel’s idea grew, and when she and Heath purchased their home, they decided to open a gym.

“While I was still working, I studied in Albany at the NZ Institute of Fitness and Sport in Albany and gained the necessary qualifications, including being a CrossFit certified coach. We found a space at 155a Rodney Street, Wellsford, with access from El Hama Road and have various membership options.

“We offer strength and conditioning classes, personal training, children’s fitness and mums and bubs classes, as well as master’s classes for people over the 55-plus age bracket. Some classes are low-impact and great for people recovering from injuries.

“It was a complete change of career, and I love it. We understand it can be daunting for anyone coming to exercise, especially in the later stage of life. We consult with each client and put their minds at ease. They start at the correct loading and technique to strengthen bone density and work their muscles, getting good lung and heart health too.

“We are also linked to the green prescription, meaning a doctor can send patients to us at a discounted rate which

makes it more affordable. I love being a part of people’s health and wellbeing journey — whether they are brand new to fitness or are returning. People can find me on my Mad Mel Movement Facebook page. I am so passionate about what I

do that it doesn’t feel like work. We are all-inclusive of genders, ages and fitness levels. It’s not a one-size-fits-all — there is no judgement and no ego. We are all here to better ourselves, and that is our ethos — come as you are.” ¢

OAKLAND HOMES PASSIONATE ABOUT

p Mel McCabe is passionate about helping other people achieve healthy exercise goals at Mad Mel Movement

“I am so passionate about what I do that it doesn’t feel like work”

u by Andy Bryenton

The modern caravan is a rolling palace compared to the somewhat spartan trailer-borne holiday cribs of yesteryear and a world away from the old-fashioned origins of the caravanning holiday itself.

The term ‘caravan’ comes from the very ancient Persian word ‘karwan’, meaning a group of travellers banded together for safety in numbers. In olden times, crossing the desert or setting out on the silk road for trade meant dealing with harsh weather, wild animals and bandits, so a cart containing the comforts of home and a few handy weapons was seen as a necessity.

The first caravan holidays were popularised by the British nobility and their counterparts in France during the 1600s. It was an era when vagabonds, or people not tied down to a parish church or peasant village, were the subject of socalled ‘romances’, or cheap novels filled with irreverent pranks, drunkenness and bawdy jokes. The heroes often lived on the road and were associated with the Romany people, Europe’s travelling folk. Rich aristocrats, eager to experience

what they saw as a free and romantic lifestyle, had fake ‘gypsy caravans’ built, then towed out to remote parts of their big estates where they could host elaborately staged parties, dressing as travellers and even sometimes hiring the real travellers to perform music and prepare traditional foods. History does not record the opinion of these true Roma about being copied by the people who at other times persecuted them, but laughs were likely had at the rich folks’ expense.

Caravanning was serious stuff for those travelling westward in the pioneering days of the US, but the advent of the motor vehicle led to the development of caravan trailers and trucks for the army. By 1912, the Riley motor company of England had developed the first trailer holiday home. In the US, Ford Model Ts were adapted

as campers by travelling preachers and salesmen. One even survives, which had a whole tiny church on the back.

The holiday caravan took off in post-war England and the US, with many saying it reached its high point with the Airstream. This all-aluminium ‘silver bullet’ camper is a US icon and the longest-tenured recreation vehicle in production. The tendency to go large soon took over, with US companies soon giving us giant land yachts like

the Winnebago and the concept of the converted bus.

Here in New Zealand, a caravan holiday fits perfectly with our egalitarian ideal of a frugal summer holiday, spent out in nature and preferably near the beach. Towed by a fleet of Holdens, Fords and Valiants, the caravans of yesteryear were boxy and simple. Yet, all can evoke memories of sunscreen, sausage sizzles and long summer evenings playing cricket on the sand. ¢

p A caravan holiday has become a fairly high-tech exercise compared to the charcoal grill and stubby shorts summer adventures of the 1980s

Happy birthday Corvette

u by Andy Bryenton

We all hope that we’re going to be cool in our old age and remain

Chevrolet Corvette has humanity beaten.

It’s been voted in the top ten coolest cars ever by Car and Driver and Automobile Magazine and tied with the infinitely more expensive S500 Mercedes as the best-engineered car of the century in 1999. Chevrolet’s answer to the sports runabouts of Europe has transformed into a legend in its own right since its debut exactly 70 years ago, on January 17, 1953.

That year’s General Motors Motorama was a showcase of postwar verve and positivity. The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City fairly buzzed when Chevvy whipped the covers off of a new, speedylooking 150hp straight-six which would not look out of place on the Riviera. The all-fibreglass-bodied drop-top was unique among its rivals. Top GM bosses said it would take a year to go from the show ring to the sales lot, but massive demand cut that back to just six months. All 300 from that first year were polo white.

That original classic style, with its famously ‘scooped’ side panels and coke-bottle curves, was to see out the 1950s in style. The Corvette became

a symbol of American freedom and prosperity, owned by Hollywood stars and desired by a whole new demographic, the ‘teenager’.

In 1963 the Corvette came of age with a bold new design, featuring the Sting Ray name for the first time. The pointed back was compared to a rock ‘n’ roller’s haircut, while under the hood, a range of V8 engines delivered close to 400 horsepower. Independent rear suspension also made a debut. Designer Bill Mitchell based the look on a mako shark he’d hooked while fishing and that aesthetic carried over into the third generation of Corvette in 1968.

The C3 was hailed by many as the most visually appealing ‘vette, but it suffered terribly during the era of early fuel-saving measures, with big engines turning out tiny performance numbers. Tuners and hot-rodders eagerly modified these cars for more power. The C4 of the 1980s and mid-1990s established a wedge shape with round tail lights that would evolve through until the seventh generation, right through until the

modern Corvette of today, which boasts a mid-engine like a Euro supercar, and the blistering speed to match.

Corvettes became linked with the space race and with US superstar astronauts when enterprising GM bosses began providing the space explorers with Corvettes free of charge. The sight of these national heroes cruising through

Florida in Corvettes helped promote the cars as exciting and futuristic.

For many years, the heartland of the Corvette was Detroit, but since 1981 the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky, has been their spiritual home. A huge factory there produces the iconic cars, and there’s even a museum charting their 70 years of heritage. ¢

p The unmistakable Chevrolet Corvette turns 70 this week, seven decades after its debut at Motorama 1953

Honouring an artist

u by Ann van Engelen

Living in Kaiwaka, Jeanette Suckling takes much delight in helping her mum Gay Benn sell her dolls inspired by the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

“My mum is 79 years old and is a very creative artist,” says Jeanette.

“She has always been good at what she does and never sold things commercially. Mum loves art and drawing and can do or make anything. Me and my sisters do a lot of creative things too. Mum got an idea to make Frida dolls during the lockdown for something to do. She made the first one

while but recently started getting back into them. Each doll is different. Mum carefully models each creation on the clothes Frida wore by upcycling material from items she finds at op shops, including lace.

“The faces are hand-painted, and making the jewellery Frida loved, by pulling old jewellery and things apart to make the tiny necklaces. Each

“We went to the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery, which is on until January 22. That was a lovely experience. The story of Frida is very inspiring. She was in a train trolley accident when she was 18 years old, and she had a lot of injuries, including a broken spine, and was in a torso cast for some time. The accident left her permanently disabled.

using modelling clay, but it didn’t work, so she used cloth and stuffed them.

“The dolls are her own design, and we sold them on Trade Me and Facebook during New Zealand Art week. She has sold more than 80 so far.”

Gay was overwhelmed with the interest in her Frida inspired dolls.

“She felt like she was working in a sweatshop and took a break for a

doll has some sort of prop — it can be a little basket, watermelons or paint pallets with a paintbrush in the doll’s hand.

“She made Frida’s pet spider monkeys, parrots, baskets of fruit and small cigars as well. A lot of her favourite dolls have sold.”

Gay has a book on Frida’s outfits, which she gleans ideas from.

“Her father was a photographer, and he put a mirror above her bed, gave her paint to keep her occupied, and that is why most of her paintings are of herself. As a child, she had polio, and had one leg longer than the other, which is why we think she wore big long flowing dresses.

“Most of her life was in pain. She married her lover Diego Rivera, the renowned Mexican painter, in 1929, and

“My mum is originally from Maungatapere. Her dad was a school teacher at the little old school house”

p Jeanette loves seeing each Frida Kahlo doll her mum Kay makes and helps her to sell them online

he had affairs on her as well, including with her sister. Frida died quite young, at 47 years old, which is really sad. Frida Kahlo has become an icon of the people because of her unique personality and her multifaceted life.

“She has become a standard-bearer for women’s inner strength, for a love of Mexico and its culture, and for courage in the face of adversity. Above all, she was a genuine woman who was true to her convictions.

“I think her painting helped her through her marriage problems as she was very attached to him. In recent years she came to the fore in the art world, and her work became very popular. She is known as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Frida Kahlo has made a lasting impact on popular culture and visual design.

“As a family, we like the Mexican style, and Mum loves the bright fabric colours, styles, clothes and daycore. That is what drew her to Frida.

“I went to Tijuana in 1992 with Mum for a visit and found it a very interesting country with a lot of poverty. Mum had been to Machu Picchu in Peru, South America, when she was 75 years old and still talks about the big ruins there. She is really amazed by the remote lifestyle and how many other people like Frida.

“My mum is originally from Maungatapere. Her dad was a school teacher at the little old school house, and then they lived in Whangārei until she was 15, when they moved to Auckland and my grandfather taught at Otahuhu College. My grandmother was quite artistic and was a really good sewer. She made clothes for people who used to sell them, including one Jewish man who used to buy them from her.

“My grandmother’s mum died when Grandma was 16 years old, so she taught herself to sew and became a teacher at a native school in Rotorua that year, teaching English in the early 1920s. She loved it and was gifted a

beautiful greenstone tiki from a lady who used to curl her daughter’s hair with rags. Grandma always spoke very highly of her experience.

“She used to make us matching Austrian dresses and things too. My sister really disliked it. I’d have the green dress, and she’d have the blue.”

Jeanette is proud of her mum’s enthusiasm and dollmaking success.

“It is very time-consuming. She even makes white noses out of clay and glues them on to get the 3D effect rather than having it flat. She also makes a bust that is designed to fit each torso and the dolls look great when they sit on chairs.

“I sell mum’s creations through Facebook or Trade Me for her, and a few shops have them. They sell really quickly all around New Zealand.

“Mum makes the little plaques because the original Frida was quite a feminist. She uses buttons for brooches and upcycles what she can. There is wool for hair, and each face is carefully

hand-painted, and she uses real pearls and makes petticoats and pantaloons.

“We love op shopping for what she needs. I volunteer at the St John Kaiwaka store and keep an eye out for bits and pieces that can be reused. I have been at the store on and off for the past five years. It is a great cause to work for, and the Kaiwaka store is a great shop to help out in.

“I volunteer because it is a great way to help and meet people in the community as well as visitors passing through. We have only been here for six years, and we love helping people where we can. My husband installs commercial furniture, and I will also be helping him with that this year.

“As a family, we are really proud of what mum has accomplished. My three sisters and I have had fun watching her craft progress over time. She will no doubt continue making Frida for some time to come — she loves doing what she does and honouring Frida’s work.”

“Mum carefully models each creation on the clothes Frida wore by upcycling material from items she finds at op shops, including lace”

p Every item Kay makes is designed from what Frida wore, her pets and her interests

p Kay handmakes every doll, upcycling clothing and jewellery that she finds at op shops

p Jeanette with one of Frida’s paintings at the Auckland Art Gallery exhibition

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Formerly a dairy farmer Anita Grant is now working in the wastewater industry with 13 years of experience. The Short Drop was initially developed 12 years ago, a portable worm based composting toilet (as seen in photo).

Anita started working for Simple Waste Water Solutions in 2010, and in 2015 she took the leap purchasing the Auckland brand for Simple Waste Water Solutions. Which is a worm based, gravity fed (where possible), full household wastewater system also including the Short Drop.

In 2016 she purchased the company Simple Waste Water Solutions having one full time employee.

Anita is a registered drainlayer based in Wellsford.

Anita Grant 027 462 1339

Descendent from Ngati Rangi – born in Ohakune. Ella isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. Made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ella decided to make a fresh start in Northland. When life threw her a challenge, redundancy in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ella took it as an opportunity and put her 15 years’ experience in the solar industry to use by launching Solartive, a solar power solutions provider based in Whangārei covering all of Northland and the Far North area. Seeing the need for solar power in rural Te Tai Tokerau/Northland communities, and the challenges individuals faced when trying to set up solar themselves without access to the latest technology, Ella strives to make solar power more accessible and affordable across the region.

We specialise in off grid solutions, schools and commercial solar systems. People love dealing with local, well established solar power business and because of that we are experiencing a lot of growth in our industry.

of vast nursing experience.

Occupational Health is the medical stream that covers work, workers, and the workplace. Pre-Employment medicals and drug/alcohol tests are advised for new employees to obtain baseline health information. Equally important is monitoring the health of the team annually, so that no changes in health, created from the workplace environment, do not go unnoticed.

Exit medicals are like insurance that protect a company from unfounded claims from employees who may state changes in health were a result of work in the workplace. What do medicals cover? This can vary but could include blood pressure and pulse checks, range of movement, vision screening, audiometry (hearing tests) and spirometry (lung function tests) drug and alcohol tests, blood tests.

Bream Bay Occupational Health also conducts RATs -Rapid Antigen Testing, Qualitative Fit tests, workplace vaccines including flu vaccines and, smoking cessation, injections for those that require regular injections, ergonomic workplace assessments and blood tests.

Protect your workers through Bream Bay Occupational Health.

“As a Bream Bay Resident since the late 80’s and part of this Company since 2005, you could say that I am

SOLAR FOR HOMES — OFF GRID

Bream Bay Occupational Health is in the beautiful Ruakaka region. We love working within our local community and sharing our expertise, professionalism, and experience with all of Northland. Pip Bennett, Director and Health Nurse Specialist has many years

Curtains (6)

Getting (9)

Echo (6)

Unreal (9)

Put into quarantine (7)

Mined mineral (3)

Change (5)

Emptying of (10)

Abides by (5)

Get up early (4,4,3,4)

Society, area of people (9)

Fussy (10)

Mineral spring (3)

Considers carefully (6)

Defence of being elsewhere (5)

Annul (4)

Unlicensed (7)

Tried out (6)

Vote in (5)

Acute (7)

Mark correct (4)

Gun-cleaning stick (6)

Smoked roll (5)

Thoughts (5) 45 I bone ham (anag)(8) 50 Out of bed (2) 51 Partition between ship’s compartments (8) 55 Deadens (5) 58 Pertinence (9) 59 Insect with forceps (6) 60 So naïve (anag)(7) 61 Long fish (3) 63 Dagger handle (4) 64 Angry stare (6) 65 Needle hole (3) 66 Orbiting devices (10) 68 Rarely (6)

ACROSS: 1 Shaft, 4 Wild goose chase, 11 Choir, 14 Final, 15 Documentary, 16 Abundant, 19 Thieves, 20 Fleet, 21 Imaginary, 24 Imprecise, 26 Canary, 27 Scheme, 31 Rotor, 32 Clavicle, 34 Overloaded, 38 Admiral, 39 Aghast, 40 Litter, 41 Stun, 42 Feigned, 45 Telephoned, 50 Embrace, 54 Rash, 55 Vigour, 56 Oldest, 57 Volcano, 60 Disruption, 61 Entreaty, 62 Sinus, 65 Scenic, 66 Agrees, 67 Ambiguity, 72 Marmalade, 73 Prone, 74 Phoenix, 79 Marzipan, 80 Safeguarded, 81 Eject, 82 Drawn, 83 Knock on the head, 84 Hyena.

DOWN: 2 Height, 3 Frame, 5 Iron, 6 Doubles, 7 Opened, 8 Site, 9 Ceremony, 10 Ebbing, 11 Contractor, 12 Oval, 13 Retinue, 17 Merry, 18 Aggravated, 22 Scald, 23 Vendetta, 25 Mooring, 26 Cheetah, 28 Poodle, 29 Octane, 30 Breeze, 33 Vogue, 35 Dense, 36 Take, 37 Plan, 42 Fired, 43 Insisted, 44 Dainty, 45

Thoroughly, 46 Lyre, 47 Process, 48 Oddity, 49 Ensue, 51 Moon, 52 Receipt, 53 Census, 58

Jubilation, 59 Attic, 63 Feedback, 64 Pushy, 65 Slimmed, 68 Monarch, 69 Embark, 70 Grouch, 71 Zircon, 75 Enjoy, 76 Aria, 77 Seen, 78 Beta.