January 29 2021
Eggs for seven hundred P7
Life at a boutique vineyard Life without limits P13
When Ray and Nicky Crocker returned from living in Australia several years ago, they never imagined they would end up owning a boutique vineyard. Becoming what Nicky refers to as grape breeders up Brooke Lane in Mangawhai, they have since developed the property to accommodate small gatherings such as weddings and plan to host music events. The Crockers attribute their success to their winemaker and mentors who have helped them understand the life of grapes. continued on page 10 ‌
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January 29 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
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‘A wake-up call for Kaipara’ u by Paul Campbell
“With the travel area of the positive Covid-19 case including Mangawhai, Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto and Matakohe, our Kaipara community’s been impacted this week,” says Kaipara Mayor Jason Smith.
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p Dr Tracey Wedge with help from Els Bloom prepares to deep clean the museum before reopening
“People have been anxious, many have had tests done, but as announcements of more negative community test results come through that anxiety is being replaced by thoughts of what a great wake-up call this has been. “We’ve all seen how easily transmission could occur. Moreover, we’ve seen the importance of QR code scanning and use of the tracer app. There’s no room for complacency, so remember the golden rule for summer — slip, slop, slap and scan! Turn on Bluetooth in the tracer app and scan QR codes wherever you go. Using Bluetooth and scanning together keeps a private digital diary of where you have been and who you have been near, and means you will receive instant notifications about possible exposure to Covid-19.” After almost 1,800 Covid-19 tests across Northland, there had been no sign of a further positive case in the community at publication time. The Ministry of Health said 16 people identified as potential close contacts of the woman, believed infected while
in quarantine, had returned negative tests. Another 154 people had been identified as “casual contacts’’ and tests were ongoing as of midweek. With just one community case in the country, authorities are optimistic the Covid alert and tracing system is working. Kaipara venues shut down earlier in the week were reopening for business from Thursday, January 28, including The Kauri Museum and Gumdiggers Cafe at Matakohe. “We will be opening our doors again on Thursday after the museum and cafe have undergone a thorough deep clean,” said CEO, Dr Tracey Wedge. A brief survey of some of the 30 affected businesses in Northland indicated business also was getting back to normal. By last Wednesday morning, Northland DHB said 1,776 people had been tested — or just on one per cent of Northland’s population. “As a percentage, this is higher than Auckland on their busiest day during the Auckland lockdown,” a spokesman said. ¢
THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER January 29 2021
Wood Street changes reassessed
3
u by Andy Bryenton
The alterations to parking and one-way traffic flow in Wood Street were a topic of much discussion during the holiday season. The Kaipara District Council agreed that tweaks and changes are advisable and are moving to make them.
p The new layout of Wood Street was a big talking point during summer, and now changes are being made to iron out the bumps and create a better flow
“Since the implementation of the Wood Street interim design in December, we have had some strong responses from the community — some positive and some negative,” says the Kaipara District Council’s media liaison. “In particular, there have been two areas of focus for comments. One is the central area changes, and the other is the entrance area, entering from Molesworth Drive. We have made (or are imminently making), some iterative changes to the central area, based on early on-site monitoring and the feedback we have received from Wood Street users and businesses.” This decision to listen to public concerns and double down on the good points expressed by some Mangawhai locals comes ahead of an official KDC survey and review in February.
The February review and public survey will include a full evaluation of the changes, on-site surveying and comparing data against the baseline data collected before the interim design was implemented in December. KDC advised that by this time, locals would also have been able to see some of the potential of the shared space in Wood Street realised, with activities such as a twilight market, buskers and street games. Concerns raised by holidaymakers, residents and shop owners in our own informal survey in January included the inability of delivery trucks to offload for Wood Street businesses easily, lack of parking leading to the illegal use of double yellow lined spaces, lack of visibility turning into Wood Street due to the new planter pots and the tiny radius of the roundabout. Positives Authorised Distributors and Service Agents for Diesel Industrial Motors, Pumps and Generators Designed for Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Rural applications.
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Meanwhile, comments and constructive ideas are welcomed on the final design via mangawhaicommunityplan@ kaipara.govt.nz. A grant from Waka Kotahi, the New Zealand Transport Agency, first kicked off revitalisation works in Wood Street, with community volunteers and organisations pitching in to effect the change following a trial run in the summer of 2019. Freeing up parking around the perimeter of the busy shopping and dining hub was seen as a priority, as was the creation of multi-use community space and safety for pedestrians. The final aim is to balance the needs of all street users while transforming the Wood Street area from a beachside village road to a more people-friendly hub for socialising as well as retail and hospitality. ¢
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4 January 29 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
Buzzing about bees festival u by Ann van Engelen
The inaugural Big Buzz Festival is the first festival in the country dedicated to promoting New Zealand honey and bees. is an excellent honey, and marketed as unique. It has compromised the sales of unique honey that once upon a time were commonly found such as pohutukawa, rewarewa and rata. “As a child, the one that stood out for me was pohutukawa honey as it is very white. “You could find it easily in local shops, but it is now rare to find. Amazing kinds of honey that are unique to New Zealand and have been pushed aside will all be at the festival.” During recent years, Grass has collected 50 types of New Zealand honey that will be available in two sessions during the festival. “This is to introduce anyone interested in other honey types and reintroduce a honey appreciation. We are being strongly encouraged by Apiculture New Zealand, the national beekeeping body Apiculture New Zealand. They are very supportive of the festival and what we aim to achieve. They are also promoting appreciation for our local honey. “We have the food outlets attending the festival to offer one honey-based dish for people to try. At midday we will have Cory Campbell, a Michelin Star chef who moved to Matakana last year doing a cooking demo. Cory worked
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The festival will be held at Matakana Primary School, 952 Matakana Road, from 9am–4pm on Sunday, February 14. “The event is a free, familyfriendly, fun-filled country fair. We are passionate about bees and dedicated to raising awareness of our pollinators and promote healthy living,” says organiser Isabella Sullivan. “Grass Esposti and I are beekeepers and believe there is a great opportunity for the community to become more engaged in the role bees play in our daily lives, the environment and sustainability. “We want to show people how important bees are to our country, including bumblebees, and that there are other beautiful types of honey besides manuka. New Zealand has unique flora available that are not common in other parts of the world. As such, products produced from the flowers often have unique health benefits that are similar to manuka. “All over the world, honey has antibiotic properties. Some have more benefits than others, but in general, it is a very good product and has a decent amount of boron, which is a mineral New Zealand lacks in. The point we want to make is while Manuka honey
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p Grass Esposti and Isabella Sullivan have created the Big Buzz Festival to promote the importance of bees
at Noma in Copenhagen, a two-star Michelin restaurant and various other places around the world. “We want children and adults alike to understand there is nothing to be afraid of when they see a bee. They don’t want to sting you, and they are very helpful insects to have in your garden.” There will be stalls of all things bees, along with food vendors, live entertainment, music, talks and workshops.
“We have fun activities planned for children and much more. The Big Buzz Festival promises to deliver a great day out for the whole family. People can discover the importance of bees and ethical beekeeping in a fun and lighthearted way. Several local schools will showcase their various bee projects they have been working on throughout 2020. Many schools now sell the honey they gather from their on-site hives.” For more information on the festival, visit thebigbuzz.nz. ¢
THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER January 29 2021
Zero waste a step closer
5
u by Andy Bryenton
Sustainable Kaipara is calling for volunteers to trial a new service that promises to turn waste into natural growing media. Changing food scraps and biowaste from landfill to compost profits nature, and can save money. “Did you know that on average, blue rubbish bags are about 50% food waste?” said Sustainable Kaipara representative, Stephanie Gibson. “We can turn that food waste into nutrient-rich soil! We are super excited to launch our first community compost trial. Starting with Mangawhai, we will trial picking up from households and businesses.” The majority of food scraps are accepted for the programme, which provides participants with a 23-litre compost bin and compostable bags each week for the sum of $4. Applying the calculation that roughly half of the space in most blue rubbish bags is taken up by compostable materials, this means a reduced waste bill as well as a better outcome for the environment. The scheme is funded by the Ministry for the Environment in these early stages. “Food scraps shouldn’t be considered waste rather a resource, we want to see this transformed into
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compost to feed our soils rather than feeding landfills. We are passionate about supporting people to have composts or worm farms at home. When this option is not possible, we have set up this community compost to deal with this locally.” says Stephanie. The scheme will also take some business waste, including compostable packaging, to avoid this ending up in the landfill. Pick ups would also be weekly, with the aim being to increase the amount of biowaste getting to compost by creating a massive pool of inputs. Eventually, this pool could take in every home in Kaipara. In the words of ecological pioneer Anne-Marie Bonneau, quoted by Sustainable Kaipara: ‘We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly’. Of course, the final product of this initiative will be mulched and bagged compost, ready to be redeployed in
We can turn that food waste into nutrientrich soil!
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p Composting turns food waste into fresh, rich soil for gardening, says Sustainable Kaipara, the force behind a new programme to turn garbage into gardens like this home food plot
gardens across the region. It could be a perfect revenue stream to fund further ecological initiatives. It’s also a possible solution for the small home gardener who is keen to
produce fruit, herbs and vegetables for the table. Want to take part in the trial? Visit sustainablekaipara.org/project/thecompost-project and sign up. ¢
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6 January 29 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
Defiant in the dry u by Liz Clark
As summer moves into February, gardens around Kaipara will feel its bite; when water is at a premium, many gardeners will turn to drought-resilient plants as an alternative. New Zealand natives have become the first-choice option amongst gardeners. Chosen for their attractive form and colour, many species are available at local nurseries. Try out the attractive pohutukawa either as a shelterbelt or as a stand-alone specimen tree. Its deep crimson blooms in early summer provide a burst of colour and provide food for native birds, bees and butterflies. Coprosma Cappuccino, with its compact growth and deep chocolate colouring, is another popular choice for containers and dry garden areas. Also try out low growing flaxes, which come in a variety of colours and forms. These plants are especially resilient, requiring little maintenance other than the occasional fertiliser and small amount of watering to retain colour and vigour. Astelia Silver Spear is another strong-growing plant that can tolerate long dry periods. Growing to a height of 1.5 metres, it also provides a standout architectural focal point for fences and walls. Also consider Akeake, Carex, Griselinia, Knightia, Poor Knights Lily, Olearia and many more.
In the perennial range, flower power comes to the fore. Echinacea is a hardy flowering plant available in a range of colours. It provides colour and food for the bees during the hotter months of summer. It also makes an excellent cut flower for the vase. Try out Echinacea Purple Coneflower with its rich, carmine-red eight-centimetre or more blooms, it flowers in late summer well into autumn. Members of the Salvia family, from the Mediterranean and drier climates of the Americas, are another alternative for gardeners. For a dash of spice try out Embers Wish, a clump-forming plant with bright red flowers and deep green leaves, and Red Velvet. Other perennials include Achillea, Dianthus, Gazania and Lavender. Other plants that love the dry include proteas, waratahs, leucadendrons and many more. The most important thing of all is to give your plants a good start by planting in autumn. Lay down a deep layer of mulch after planting. It will conserve moisture during the dry months.
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER January 29 2021
p Bernie and Daphne with some of their flock, which roam in the pasture instead of living in cages
Eggs for seven hundred u by Andy Bryenton
Bernie Collins and Daphne Colledge of Aoroa Poultry, just outside of Dargaville, aren’t copying a modern trend with their freerange, all-organic eggs. They’re simply doing things the old-fashioned way, combining a shared love of chickens and rural life with skills built-up during many years. Bernie, wielding a tin bucket full of grain for his flock while wearing his signature fedora hat, says that while both he and his partner are both in their 70s, keeping up with 700 feisty free range fowl is a labour of love. It was chickens that brought the pair together, after all. “We both had flocks of about a dozen before we met,” says Daphne, noting that they were living in the Dargaville town limits at the time and could host no more. “I came to help build her a chicken coop, and I suppose I took too long,” Bernie jokes. “We eventually found the perfect piece of land, and set to building a free-range system, with sheds and fencing.”
Bernie knows chooks. He’s been in the industry since the 1960s on and off, working on everything from a hatchery after school through to large operations up until the 1970s. The egg was laid, as it were, one Christmas when Santa delivered a young Bernie some Bantams; ‘the gift that kept on giving, with fresh eggs’. Now the Aoroa property burbles with the distinctive sound of 700 Hyline hens, foraging in the clover and nesting up for the night in custom-built sheds with roosting frames, nesting boxes and lights. The chooks need to have 14 hours of good light each day to stay productive, and that’s caused confusion for the authorities in the past.
“We’ve had the chopper hovering over our farm once or twice, thinking that these rural tin sheds with lights on might be growing marijuana,” says Bernie, who appreciates the irony. In fact, it’s close to 500 eggs a day, which come from the farm, packed by Daphne and sent out to customers to appreciate the organic, freerange flavour. One octogenarian customer orders them in, from as far away as Kaitaia. Others find their way to farmer’s markets, such as those at Mangawhai Beach School, in a van driven by Daphne. “We get a great response from our customers, who often say they would not go back to store-bought eggs. We deliver around Dargaville, and the
farmer’s markets are becoming more organic all the time.” Perhaps a healthy diet, including free-range eggs is the secret to staying
“
I came to help build her a chicken coop, and I suppose I took too long,
”
fit and healthy. This pair of avid farmers show no signs of slowing down, even as their free-range, all-natural concept becomes the mainstream rather than an alternative idea. ¢
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January 29 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER January 29 2021
A HEALTHIER YOU
9
Experts cooperate u by Andy Bryenton
Health care professionals from all manner of disciplines within the spectrum of wellness will gather on February 21 for a cooperative public outreach, bringing many of the east Kaipara’s leading practitioners together at the Warkworth Community Centre. From chiropractor s and acupuncturists to massage therapists and dietary consultants — the list of wellness service providers is long. Their combined weight of experience and knowledge in one place is a resource not to be missed. The day is designed for the public to come and ask questions, explore new options, gather information and meet their local professionals. The event aims at networking among colleagues and prospective clients. Event organiser Lindsay Best says that this collective approach would bring expertise shared from practitioners in Kaiwaka, Mangawhai, Wellsford and the east coast. “It’s a community initiative, and something we’ve all wanted to do for some time. By bringing everyone together, we can share our knowledge
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more effectively with the public, many of whom have lots of questions about the right path to take when it comes to their health,” said Lindsay. “A lot of people attend these kinds of open days and approach me saying: ‘I have heard about what you can do for people, but what’s it all about? How does it work? How can I apply that to myself?’ Come along on the day and have those questions answered.” Entry to the day-long expo is free. However, the organisers ask that patrons bring either a gold coin koha or canned goods to donate to local food bank charities. With more than 30 health and wellness alternatives on display there’s going to be a lot to see, so plan some time to talk with the professionals, and chart a course to a healthier 2021. ¢
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10 January 29 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
p Ray and Nicky Crocker have developed Brooke Lane Vineyard into a Kaipara boutique vineyard experience
Life at a boutique vineyard u by Ann van Engelen
Ray and Nicky Crocker never imagined they would one day be owners of a vineyard in the Kaipara and become breeders of grapes and boutique wine producers. “We had a holiday home in Mangawhai for 30 years. In 2004 we moved to Bondi, New South Wales, Australia, for what was meant to be 18 months, for Ray’s employment,” says Nicky. “We ended up staying for nine years and during that time sold our holiday home here as we never got to enjoy it. One day Ray asked me where I would like to retire. Of course, I replied home in New Zealand. “We returned to Auckland and decided to buy some land to get out of the city. Having had a place in Mangawhai for many years, we loved the area, so this was a natural progression. We found this property, which happened to have 1,800 grapevines on it. The vineyard was originally planted by Liz and Gary Cameron of Lochiel Estate some 15 years ago. We didn’t expect to run the vineyard. We were going to buy
a motorhome and travel around the country and pay someone to look after it. Our winemaker, Rod McIver from Marsden Estate told us our property was unique and the grapes were very special. That conversation changed our whole thought process, and we decided to take care of our investment ourselves.”
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The grapes were very special
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Ray and Nicky had to learn the process of caring for their property and have named it Brooke Lane Vineyard. “We named it Brooke Lane because that is where it is, at number 52, up past Olives on the Hill. We have some amazing mentors such as Mark Nobilo who holds workshops on viticulture. The winemaking we leave to Rod. We
have learned the aspects of grape breeding such as when and how to prune, spray, pluck, tuck, mow, thin and pick. This was out of necessity to become successful, and we are still learning every day, as each day brings different challenges. “The property has fully mature vines of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Syrah. We are certainly kept very busy. In 2017, our first year at the vineyard, we were hit by three cyclones and lost our total crop. According to Mark Nobilo, it was one of the worst years he has seen in 50 years. We managed to recover, and in 2019 we sold all of our Tipsy Tui Rose’ in a day and a half. “This year we have mixed our Pinot Gris with our Syrah to make the Tipsy Tui Rose’. Our Pinot Gris is really popular and the Chardonnay having been in French oak for eight months has been described as good as any from the famous Margaret River
11
THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER January 29 2021
“
It has been interesting as we both dislike gardening but have found working in the vineyard very rewarding
area of Australia. Rod McIver is an amazing winemaker. Our Chardonnay is very light compared to a normal Chardonnay. It is not big and buttery, and people who only drink red wine, or do not normally enjoy Chardonnay have tried it and love it. Many visitors have been pleasantly surprised. “The Rose’ is our Tipsy Tui and looks sexy in a bottle. It is named after our tui that we saved when she fell out of her nest in the 2017 cyclone. We raised her, and for the first eight months, she lived in a covered area that I made out of leftover vines. “She only heard us talking and our dog Charlie barking so she would bark like a dog. She comes inside and visits every day. When we bought the vineyard, we didn’t realise we would inherit the tui, but I guess it was all part of the plan.” All of the Brooke Lane Vineyard wine range is named after Nicky and Ray’s pets.
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“Longfin Chardonnay is named after the longfin eels in our stream. The Cheeky Charlie Pinot Gris is named after our Jack Russell, and then we have Tipsy Tui Rose’. “It has been interesting as we both dislike gardening but have found working in the vineyard very rewarding. We forgot we are living on a farm, and as all farmers know, weather plays a big part. A vineyard needs sunshine, some rain, food and a lot of care to get successful results for what we call breeding grapes. Thankfully this year and last year the weather has been kind. “When we pick the grapes, you do eat a few, and when we are testing them to see if the sugar levels are right — you have to try lots. We have recently planted several different table grape varieties such as White Diamond and Albany Surprise, which is an old granny grape and a muscat, so we can
eat those ones. Every stage of the vineyard is amazing. When you prune, there are just stalks sticking up out of the ground. “Then eventually the nets go on to cover a bountiful amount of grapes, and it is very rewarding to see. The result we receive for our hard work is a wine you can sit back and enjoy. Our success, thanks to our amazing mentors and many friends and helpers. “We have created a lot in the space since we came. All we had was the vines. We have added extensive rock work and excavation for rock walls. We created a lake and a creek with a bridge over it, and we have a great atmosphere for weddings and special events. “We created a grandstand area to host our own music in the vines on the last Saturday of every month hopefully starting on February 27 this year. For our music events, we want a maximum
of 60–70 people to keep the events nice and intimate. “Our cellar door is a converted container, and everyone who visits enjoys the space. We also have petanque, a pizza oven and an outdoor fire. The space is perfect for small weddings, and the petanque adds to the fun. “We provide the wine and can also bring in catering trucks or organise tasting platters and grazing tables so people can choose the catering they want. “We also have a pet duck called Duck Duck that we nursed after she was attacked by a stoat so we will no doubt name a wine after her in the near future. “All in all, life is good. Our wine cellar door is open every day, and we look forward to providing people with an amazing selection of wines for their enjoyment for years to come.” ¢
12 January 29 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
Keeping pooches pampered u by Ann van Engelen
Each week, Jessica Blackwell helps dog owners keep their pets looking smart and smelling nice in Mangawhai.
p Jessica Blackwell’s passion is helping dog owners ensure their pets are well groomed and looking smart
“I love animals and wanted to do more with them. I became a washerdrier for a dog grooming company in Auckland in 2013. They trained me to do basic things, and then one of the girls was a master groomer, and she taught me to do the clipping and other things,” says Jessica. “I am also artistic, and dog grooming became a passion. I feel art and animals go together well. I was working at a dog rescue grooming a little bit there for six years. Unfortunately, they closed during Covid, and since I already had a small client base here in Mangawhai, I decided to offer my services full time at home.” Jessica is also a qualified beauty therapist. “I was torn between beauty therapy and dog grooming, but I found my love of animals won. I love getting a massage and thought dogs would too. I wanted to give them their own beauty therapy experience. I have made a space that is beautiful and relaxing for them to get their hair and nails done. “Getting dogs groomed is important. Hygiene is one factor grooming helps with. Some dogs get heat spots, which is like a sore, and regular grooming helps to diminish things like this. At times groomers pick up things that owners may not notice such as grass seeds stuck inside your dog’s skin. “Another problem is matting with double-coated breeds if they are not groomed regularly. They can get knots under their armpits and toes. I trim their nails too. Some dogs don’t like their nails being done so I take my time and gain their trust rather than just tie them up and do it. “Dogs definitely feel better after being groomed. They often run and
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bounce around after being pampered. I guess they feel weightless just like us when we get a haircut. They go home smelling all pretty, especially with formulated pet perfumes like vanilla, floral scents if they can have them. “My Professional Pooches Dog Grooming Facebook page has lots of photos of the dogs I have worked with. I am still a small salon working from home, and people can contact me via Facebook. I believe grooming your pet is worth the investment. “Everything is customisable, and your dog can be done however you want them to look. “There is no judgement at my salon on what type of dogs people have or how they are when they first come to me. The main priority for me is the love and care of my clients’ pets and clients at times. Sometimes I help people with decisions of how to care for their pets, especially at times when they don’t realise their pet may have a problem. It is not their fault, and it is nice to know my experience helps others keep their pet healthy. “At present, we have safety precautions at the salon regarding Covid just to be on the safe side for our clients. We use high-grade cleaners between all clients and have contact tracing in the window to scan. At the bottom of the ramp we have manual tracing available, and we also have questionnaires that are sent to clients prior to bookings. “I absolutely love my job and enjoy helping owners to care for their animals and keep them as healthy as possible grooming wise. I don’t have a favourite type of dog. I do all sizes, big, little, short, tall, round and slim — pedigree or standard breeds.” ¢
Dogs definitely feel better after being groomed
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER January 29 2021
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p Nicole and Umberto of No Limits say that they are committed to growing skills, facilities and confidence for surfers and skaters in Mangawhai, ‘a magical place to live’
Life without limits u by Andy Bryenton
Mangawhai boasts a top-flight skate facility at the town’s activity zone and legendary surf just a short drive away at the heads. This combination has sparked a business idea that’s also raising the bar for local sportspeople, and it’s driven by a team with a vision. Nicole Seyle and Umberto Skinner come from surf and skate backgrounds respectively. Their goals and ambitions have come into alignment with the opening of their new enterprise, No Limits Surf and Skate in Molesworth Drive. She’s been surfing for two decades, travelling the world to experience some of the most iconic destinations and breaks. He’s been a Kiwi Olympian in his sport, skating professionally and organising contests and tours to promote life on wheels. Together, they bring a formidable amount of experience to their customers, which shines through in the range they’ve hand-picked for their store; boards and shoes, apparel and scooters, gear and culture combined.
“The stars simply aligned in magical Mangawhai,” says Umberto. “It came from people with drive, purpose and most importantly, passion. From a skateboarding perspective, the people here needed a boost to keep the scene alive, to promote the longevity of skate life, and to create that passion and purpose in the youth.” He says his aim is to help build a local scene, and a team of ‘All Blacks on skateboards’ to take on the world. “The skatepark in Mangawhai is NZ’s Olympic training facility and I will get these Kiwis flying!” Nicole says that the idea for a business enterprise
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The stars simply aligned in magical Mangawhai
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spanning both surf and skate was seeded while she and her partner were on the road. “My partner Evan and I were on a road trip this past winter and while having lots of time to chat the question of ‘what does Mangawhai need?’ was presented. My mind immediately went to a shop that has a huge range of both surf and skateboards, not just apparel. “There are some amazing breaks surrounding Mangawhai as well as the incredible MAZ skatepark, so a joint surf and skate shop seemed to be a no brainer to us. When we came
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home after our trip, we started looking for space to potentially open a shop, and the building we are in became available. It was just too good to pass up.” “It has been an overwhelming response from all,” says Umberto. “The skate and surf shop is not just a retail space. “It’s a place you can chill, chat, meet, get a coffee and a bagel; then check out all the latest gear or head over the road to Mangawhai Activity Zone to perfect your craft. ‘Happy but never satisfied’ is my watchword. We’re always keeping it fresh, colourful and vibrant. “Making every experience in-store a different one; that’s what keeps people engaged.” ¢
Dargaville Funeral Services Ltd 24 Hours — 09 439 8016
Bruce and Jessica Young are here to care for our community. We are working in alliance with Newberrys Funeral Home to enable us to offer you and your family all you would want for a funeral service; your way. Together Bruce and Jessica have 45 years of experience in the funeral industry. We offer competitive pricing and no obligation consultations. Contact us on 09 439 8016 or for more information visit www.dargavillefuneralservices.co.nz Jessica Young – 020 4119 1299 office@dargavillefuneralservices.co.nz
Bruce Young – 027 575 7377 www.dargavillefuneralservices.co.nz
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January 29 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
Books galore for fair u by Andy Bryenton
Mangawhai Museum’s fundraising book fair returns for 2021, with a Northland Anniversary Weekend event promising three days of bargains for readers of all genres. The fair spans three days, from Saturday January 30 to Monday February 1, with a gigantic selection of books on offer, priced from between $1 and $5. Event organiser and museum manager Emma Gray confirms that there are volumes of all kinds up for grabs, spanning fiction and non-fiction, drama, romance, fantasy and history to name but a few. Magazines are not included due to their lack of durability. “We receive donations of books all year round to go toward our book fair events,” says Emma. “We are very grateful to the public for their generosity. Funds raised from our book fairs go toward general operating costs and setting up new and interesting exhibitions, so we can maintain an iconic and world-class museum here in Mangawhai.”
Museum board member Christine Bygraves agreed. She noted the last such fair at Labour Weekend netted donations in the thousands of dollars, enabling the museum to keep telling local stories and preserving Mangawhai history. The book fair will be open across the entire long weekend from 10am to 4pm, with patrons invited to have a browse, relax with a coffee or cold drink at the cafe, and enjoy the museum’s current exhibits at the same time. The ever-changing museum collection on display will soon receive a fresh and relevant twist with an Olympic-themed exhibit in the works. In March, a further fundraiser is planned. The first of what may become a regular series of museum-hosted fashion shows will feature creations by Dimity and Caro With Love; more details will be released closer to the runway date. ¢
Honouring lives well-lived For a truly personal experience talk to the experts. Office: 09 439 8048 Fax: 09 437 5796 Email: office@morrisandmorris.co.nz 15 Gladstone Street Dargaville 0310 PO Box 8043 Kensington Whangarei 0145
morrisandmorris.co.nz Proud member of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand
p Readers will find a lot to love as the Mangawhai Museum opens its doors for an anniversary weekend book fair fundraiser
Due to COVID-19 concerns in the community and difficulties in obtaining movie approvals, we are cancelling movies until further notice.
Pay attention! around road works Shop a curated selection of NZ fashion labels from beachside Mangawhai. The concept for Dimity came from founder, Lyndal Bowen’s penchant for beautiful clothes and a desire to create a unique retail experience in an unexpected destination. Shop fashion, jewellery and home scent or a gift for your man. Gift vouchers available too. Open 7 Days 09 431 3114 The Hub Unit 4 | 6 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai www.dimity.co.nz dimityboutiquemangawhai
All welcome to join or simply come along & visit. We have a fantastic club with brilliant facilities. • A range of membership options starting from just $10 for a social membership • Venue hire • Licensed bar • Café open daily 9am to 4pm (closed Mondays & Thursdays)
For more details phone 09 431 4807 or check out www.mangawhaigolf.co.nz
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER January 29 2021
PUZZLE TIME
Jumbo crossword ACROSS 1 In difficulties with no retreat (4,2,3,4) 8 Express disapproval (6) 14 Left over (5) 15 Splendour and impressiveness (8) 16 Correspondence (7) 17 Chemically unreactive (5) 18 Drunkard (3) 19 Move forward (7) 21 Increased the tension (9) 22 Day nursery (6) 25 Gloomy person spoiling the enjoyment of others (3,7) 27 Replied (8) 28 Decapitate (6) 31 Compels (6) 33 Cradle song (7) 34 Noon (6) 35 Quick and neatly skilful (4) 37 Female deer (3) 39 Monk’s hood (4) 40 Extreme distress of body or mind (7) 41 Person next door (9) 42 Gave in (7) 43 Piece (8) 48 Fidgety (8) 52 Windfall (7) 56 Totally impoverished (9) 57 Fragrant flower (7) 58 Layer of paint (4) 59 Long seat (3) 60 Refuse to let have (4) 61 Bisects (6) 62 Indict before a
tribunal (7) 63 Tiny (6) 65 Steal (6) 66 Amiable (8) 68 Corrections (10) 71 Festering (6) 72 Hillocks of mining waste (4-5) 74 Praise publicly (7) 76 Enjoyment (3) 79 Populous country (5) 80 Dry red wine (7) 81 Pass (8) 83 Less dangerous (5) 84 Felt (6) 85 In a favourable or advantageous position (7,6) DOWN 2 Shorten (7) 3 Country with Nairobi (5) 4 Be in debt (3) 5 Cause pain (4) 6 Carried two-way radio (6-6) 7 Fastening for gate, door (5) 8 Offensively or repulsively indecent (7) 9 Connect (4) 10 Stone fruit (6) 11 Out of fashion (5) 12 Skin-tight garment (7) 13 Keep up courage, do not give in (5,3,3) 14 Adhesive label (7) 20 Fellow student (9) 23 Roof window (8) 24 Blind alley (4,3) 26 Accumulation of jobs not done (7) 27 Disinterest (6)
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29 Visually offensive thing (7) 30 Widespread food scarcity (6) 32 Distinctive smell (5) 34 Repairs (5) 36 Changes direction (5) 38 Closed (4) 43 Lost colour (5) 44 Store of weapons (7) 45 Chain armour (4) 46 Chewy sweet (6) 47 Metal-cutting shears (5) 48 Felt indignant about (8) 49 Occurring in brief irregular bursts (9) 50 Permit document (7) 51 Vertical passageway (5) 52 Lodge-building animals (7) 53 From time to time (3,3,5) 54 Fight (6) 55 I’m dot in place (anag)(7,5) 64 Give up all hope (7) 65 Abundant (7) 67 Cleaned (anag)(7) 69 Dense area of small trees, shrubs (7) 70 Conundrum (6) 71 Smell (5) 73 Boredom, listlessness (5) 75 Turning machine (5) 77 Flying mammals (4) 78 Ripped (4) 82 Clairvoyance (1,1,1)
Sudoku
4 5
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2 9
ACROSS: 1 Ashes, 4 December, 9 Script, 14 Snare, 15 Come to a sticky end, 17 Strut, 18 Tie, 19 Smitten, 20 Tarnished, 21 Stuffy, 24 Spaceship, 25 Mishap, 26 Helped, 29 Wrongdoing, 31 Way, 32 Scarab, 33 Crop, 35 Dip, 37 Edge, 39 Venezuela, 40 Economise, 41 Yacht, 42 Research, 47 Reckless, 51 Elite, 55 Surprises, 56 Xylophone, 58 Sank, 59 Ego, 60 Snow, 61 Rotund, 62 Toe, 63 Occasional, 66 Rascal, 67 Tragic, 69 Convinces, 72 Scales, 73 Pulsating, 75 Pollute, 77 Lop, 80 Osier, 81 More often than not, 82 Creel, 83 Defect, 84 Postpone, 85 Leash. DOWN: 2 Shoemaker, 3 Event, 5 Easy, 6 5 1 6 5 9 7 Epitaph, 7 Baking powder, 8 Reeks, 9 Sadness, 10 Rose, 11 Pirate, 12 Tasty, 13 Receded, 7 1 6 6 3 9 14 Stiffen, 16 Over and over, 22 Resign, 23 Cabaret, 24 Sincere, 25 Mayday, 27 Porcine, 3 1 5 7 28 Cajole, 30 Gaze, 32 Speck, 34 Press, 36 2 9 4 Dock, 38 Due, 42 Rusts, 43 Serious, 44 Airy, 9 3 1 3 7 6 4 45 Custom, 46 Mixed, 48 Cheesecloth, 49 Lessons, 50 Son, 51 Estuary, 52 Exotic, 53 2 8 Previous solution Altercations, 54 Up to, 57 Orchid, 64 Albatross, 65 Parasol, 66 Replica, 68 Gourmet, 70 Non7 2 9 5 6 3 1 4 8 6 1 5 4 8 9 2 3 7 stop, 71 Recipe, 72 Spiel, 74 Scrap, 76 Lance, 8 3 4 2 7 1 9 6 5 78 Free, 79 Anon. 1 5 8 6 3 7 4 2 9
1 8 7 9 3 5 2 7 6 4 7 1 3 1 9 3 5 8 9 1
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9 6 39 483 1 2 5 7 8 6 2 7 6 8 9 4 5 1 3 243 89517 73 15 26 68 59 42 85 672 9 4 8 3 7 1 8 2solution 7 1 5 9 6 4 3 Previous 6 5 3 8 7 4 9 1 2 7 8 1 9 6 2 3 5 4 2 4 6 5 1 3 8 7 9 Puzzle 9 3 5 All4puzzles 8 ©7The 2 6Company 1 www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz
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January 29 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
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Towards a better Kaipara Reducing our waste Kaipara has a poor track record for recycling. In summer 2020, a snapshot audit of rubbish bags found 860kgs of 3196kg could have been recycled. That’s 27% of the rubbish we send to landfill. Two years ago, Council asked the community about the way rubbish and recycling were collected and found there is appetite for change. Donna Powell, the Waste Minimisation Lead for Kaipara District Council, says the survey drew a strong response. “People are really passionate about rubbish and how we treat our environment,” says Ms Powell. Of 513 respondents, 73% said recycling was very important to them, with 100% indicating some level of importance.
“Other councils found that wheelie bins actually increased the amount of rubbish that goes to landfill. They’re an expensive option too for people who don’t produce much waste.” In March, Kaipara District Council will be consulting on a proposal to provide recycling crates as part of their Long Term Plan 2021-2031. The Long Term Plan will guide the direction of the Council for the next ten years. Their proposal is to provide two crates, one for glass and one for plastic and cans. Paper would be bundled separately. They would be collected kerbside, or from dedicated collection points if for those in rural areas. The cost and benefits of the increased service is outlined in the consultation document. Consultation will be open from 1 March to 1 April and accompanied by ‘drop-ins’ in your local community where you can ask questions. You’ll be able to meet with Elected Members and Council Officials at Mangawhai Tavern Market, Te Kopuru, Paparoa Market or the Dargaville Twilight market. You’ll also be able to talk with us online in two virtual meetings we’re holding. Dates and times will be published soon. If you care about your environment and how your rates are spent, please get involved and give us your feedback.
Reducing Landfill The Council is proposing to provide crates for recycling People asked for easier systems such as bins instead of using bags. One said recycling bags were a hassle as they forgot to buy them and ended up putting recycling in their rubbish. The statistics above show they are not alone. Of those surveyed, 43% said they spent $3-5 per week on rubbish and recycling, 34% spent $5-10 per week and 12% of respondents spent more than $10 each week. Only 2.7% spent less than $2 per week. The team considered options to reduce household waste by making recycling easier across the District. They found other Councils provide recycling crates, which has reduced the amount of household waste that goes to landfill.
Those who don’t recycle will find the cost of their weekly rubbish collection becomes more expensive. In response to the wider global issue around recycling and how we deal with our waste, Central Government is proposing to increase the cost to landfill operators. The Government decides how much a company must pay to dump a tonne of rubbish to landfill, or what is spent to close and manage the environmental impacts of a rubbish dump in the future. When these costs increase the cost is likely to be passed on to users to incentivise them to reduce the amount of waste they produce. Central government is also looking at creating a set of standards for every Council to follow around what materials must be collected for recycling.
“Crates make it easier for people so they’re more likely to recycle. And they don’t have to go out and buy them. They’re on hand whenever they need them.” Whangarei District Council found it most effective to provide two crates, with paper bundled separately at the side. Collecting glass separately to other recyclables increased glass recycling by 20 per cent. The KDC survey also received requests for wheelie bins to replace the blue bags currently used for waste. That option was considered.
_ Kaipara Korero e-newsletter If you would like to keep up to date with what’s happening, sign up for all our latest news at kaipara.govt.nz/newsletter
Yellow are bags currently used for recycling