The Weekend Lifestyler, June 16th 2023

Flowers with love

When Vanessa Lockett moved to Mangawhai, she decided to reignite her love of flowers and use her years of floristry experience to offer not just bouquets and floral arrangements, but also to specialise

June

in weddings and events. Supporting local growers is an important part of Vanessa’s business acumen, and she delights in presenting individual designs on a daily basis.

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

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Editor: Deb Wright 021 639 696 deb.wright@integrity.nz

Journalists: Ann van Engelen | Liz Clark

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7,780 copies, distributed on Friday to every residential and rural home throughout the district including Whangārei, One Tree Point, Ruakākā, Waipū, Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Wellsford.

Time for grappling

u

by

Ann van Engelen

Rodney College Year 12 students Reef Brown, Bhavya Sharma and Jeremiah Guevara are preparing for the upcoming Grapple 23 Digital Tech Event in Christchurch from July 2–8.

“Grapple is a competition funded by the Ministry of Education and other sponsors,” says Bhayva.

“We are given a real-world problem to solve, such as climate change or flooding. They provide us with tools, components, soldering equipment and other stuff, and we build our idea of a functional, working solution.

“When we applied to compete, we had to talk about our past experience with digital components and our understanding of physics, coding and technology. It is a subject we have

internationals, with NASA hosting it. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough information, so didn’t make it, but we think Bhavya and I winning the nationals for Aquabots and having that in our portfolio helped.”

Jeremiah says with the Grapple competition, once the problem is presented to them, the three boys will discuss their ideas on the best solution.

“We will have a meeting and decide what approach we will take. We go with the flow for ideas and making our plans. With coding and technical aspects, we

studied since Year 9, and it will offer a variety of career opportunities, such as computer science.

“What we learn is helpful for anything that involves technology, overall engineering and digital knowledge, and these competitions help us build our profiles for university.”

The boys say it is important to have a go and then go through the experience as they represent Rodney College and try their best to win.

“We work together as a team and expect the problem to be on climate change or rural problems,” says Reef.

“We don’t have big expectations on ourselves except trying to win. Bhavya and I were in the nationals for the Aquabots competition, which gave us the opportunity to go to the USA for the

are always doing calculations and using our cognitive abilities.

“Throughout the seven days of competition, we will make our prototype, and that will be judged on things like design, functionality and usability. That will determine if we get a placement or not.

“We are really excited to be representing our school. It is a great opportunity to meet other students from across New Zealand. It is thanks to our teacher, Debbie Anderson, who has taught us everything we know, and we want to make her proud, although we think we have already made her proud by being selected, as it’s not easy to get in.

“Our school is a great school — we love it. There are a lot of great people here, including the teachers.” ¢

p Jeremiah Guevara, Reef Brown and Bhavya Sharma say they are proud to represent Rodney College at the Grapple 23 competition

“We don’t have big expectations

ourselves except trying to win”

June turns 100

u by Ann van Engelen

Born on June 9 1923, June Mackwell celebrated her 100th birthday with friends, family, staff members and residents at Waipū last week.

“June was born and raised in Hamilton and has lived at Ranburn since July 2018,” says daughter Margaret Mckechnie.

“She completed her schooling and went on to study physiotherapy at the University of Otago in Dunedin. Physiotherapy was her occupation after being a teacher. She has raised four children, myself and my three brothers, and she is still very fit.

“Mum also has a psychology degree as well, which she did before she retired because she had other things in life that she wanted to do. We moved here a few years ago and built her a two-bedroom home at the back of our property with a beautiful garden. One day, she went into Ranburn for a break and decided to stay, so her house is now an Airbnb.

“We had a birthday in the library at Ranburn with half of our family and then on Saturday, we had a larger lunch party at Waipū Coronation Hall. My brothers came from Melbourne, Australia, Oregon, USA, and Tairua, with their families, and we had a lovely time.

“I think June is surprised to have reached 100. She didn’t want birthday parties, and I’d tell her she could perform after the day. When we actually took her to the hall, she was perfectly happy and didn’t want to go home.

“She is a scrabble champion, has two degrees and is still very smart. She notices how people speak to her, and while some days aren’t so good, on other days, she remembers things from the past very well, which is what you expect from someone her age.”

Margaret says June’s family all lived well into their 90s.

“Her brother was a doctor in Dunedin and her dad lived to 96 years old. She might live to be 110 yet.

“She doesn’t normally make speeches, but she did on Saturday, and for the first time ever, she told people how good I am at looking after her. She was happy, and that made it a great day for everyone. My brother from Melbourne made her a beautiful book with family photos, and she loved it.

“She got a card from King Charles, the Governor-General of New Zealand, the prime minister and our local MP Emily Henderson, but she said she loved the 3D card I gave her with things dangling off it.”

Over the years, June has enjoyed many interests and hobbies, including knitting and jigsaw puzzles.

“Drinking lots of water is one of my secrets to longevity,” says June. “I am blessed that the Lord is good to me and I have always looked after myself.”

AUTUMN PLANTING TIME

To

connect back with nature connect with us

Mother and daughter team Laura and Ellie Larkin are the new owners of Bream Bay GREENWORLD plant nursery.

Need to fill any gaps within your garden? Come have a look at our hedging and specimen trees as well as our ground covers which are great for underplanting. Even if we don’t have what you need we will do our very best to source it for you. We sell: ground covers, climbers, palms, succulents, edibles, shrubs and specimen trees. We also sell landscaping supplies (by the bag or cubic metre, depending on what the product is) black bark, brown mulch, topsoil, compost, garden mix, potting mix, and lime chip.

Autumn is a great time to plant! So come and visit us in our little slice of paradise. Email: breambaygreenworld@gmail.com or phone 0274 952 441. 656 One Tree Point Road We

p June Mackwell with her granddaughter Kate Mitchell, great- granddaughter Sofia and her daughter Margaret Mckenchie

“Drinking lots of water is one of my secrets to longevity”

Light your way

u by Ann van Engelen

The Wellsford Hato Hone St John Area Committee team is preparing for its annual fundraising appeal with a market on-site at 98 Rodney Street, Wellsford on Sunday, June 18, from 10am–2pm.

“We will have sausage sizzles, raffle tickets and a variety of stalls, including refreshments for a koha,” says area committee member Jackie Steele.

“This year has been a bit rough with Cyclone Gabrielle, Covid still hanging around and the bad weather.”

Jackie is also the divisional manager for the youth cadets and manages the hall hire, which is attached to the ambulance bay. The hall caters up to 60 people and is a perfect place for functions and events.

and join us to help teach the children if anyone is interested. Youth meet at the ambulance station on Wednesday nights from 6pm–7.30pm.

“Our paramedics are wonderful. The ambulance staff do an incredible job with the many accidents and incidents they attend in our area and beyond. The ambulance we have at present was donated by Mr Colin A Buckton from Wellsford. He has since passed, but his support to the community through his gift is treasured, and when you see it

“The Hato Hone St John Youth is for youth from five years old, or year one, to 18. They are split into junior, intermediate and senior classes, and once they are 18, they can move on to be a leader or join the ambulance side of things.

“We teach them life skills, health and community awareness and basic first aid, which includes CPR. There are a number of badges they work toward each year, including road safety and communication awareness. We would love for more leaders to come along

go by with his name on it, his memory lives on. The theme for this year’s market day is Light your Way — Your Way, and it is fluoro-based. People can come along dressed in fluoro to add to the fun atmosphere. The money we raise goes to the central Hato Hone St John funds and is distributed from there for different things.”

This year, the organisation is looking to purchase generators for the ambulance stations across the country.

“We need generators, so when we have adverse weather events, we will

still have power. Most of the money we receive during the year is from public support, and we really appreciate every cent we are given.

“My teammates on the Wellsford Area Committee, Karen MacCallaugh, Dulcie Baker and Paula Connolly and I have been involved in St John for more than 18 years. We enjoy what we do and are also interested in hearing

from anyone who would like to join the area committee.”

Market stall sites are available for $10 a site. For more information — call Jackie on 021 115 0058. ¢

THERE IS A FULL TIME PRIVATE CLINIC IN WHANGAREI, RUN BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH 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.

p Team members Jackie, Karen, Dulcie, Patsy Carlisle and Carolina with the Wellsford Hato Hone St John ambulance donated by the late Mr Colin A Buckton from Wellsford

“The money we raise goes to the central Hato Hone St John funds”

Winter’s cheerful smilers

u by Liz Clark

Winter is usually when everything is dull and drab; however, the brightness of pansies can colour up any bland outdoor setting.

Perennials, by nature, pansies are usually grown as annuals and replaced each year. The colour range is expansive from pure white to near-black; the only shade missing is green. Cultivar types range from single colours to bicoloured and multiple patterns. The plants range from a growing height of 10cm to 25cm, in floral sizes from small to gigantic depending on the variety. The growing season is during winter, and blooms appear around late winter, sometimes earlier, depending on the cultivar.

However you look at them, the plants are so versatile they are perfect for pots

on the deck to brighten up the outdoor living spaces or replace summer and early autumn annuals that had died off before winter has set in. Their lowgrowing habit means pansies can be used for borders or planting around the base of roses or other shrubs. Many of the varieties grown by nurseries are also frost-hardy, meaning they can survive a reasonable amount of ice on the leaves without plant loss.

Before planting, choose a warm and sunny spot so your new pansies can have maximum exposure to sunlight due to shorter sunshine hours. Prepare

your planting area with a deep layer of compost and good-quality soil. Good drainage in winter is essential, especially with higher than average rainfall resulting in the soil becoming water-logged if it has poor drainage. Plant above the ground if your plants’ roots are going to end up consistently drowning in water. The soil pH should be slightly on the acidic side — ideally pH 5.5–6.5.

Liquid feed your pansies after planting to encourage strong root development and, of course, lots of colourful blooms to brighten the space.

Other than deadheading spent flowers, little maintenance is needed other than some weeding and fertilising. With winter being the time when the slugs and snails come out to do their worst, lay an appropriate bait well away from pets and children or alternatively use sawdust or copper strips to deter these pests.

Some pansies that caught this writer’s eye were Dakota Orange, Hot Shot Frosty Rose, Sizzling Raspberry, Enigma, Coastal Shades and Winter Waterfall. Visit your local garden centre for more options. ¢

First time mothers’ space

u by Ann van Engelen

Ruakākā midwife Trudy Thomson is inviting new babies and their first-time mums to

connection with others.

“I have lived in the area for 24 years with my children growing up in the community,” says Trudy.

“The group is for mothers who have birthed for the first time because I believe they have a different conversation to experienced mums.

“I trained as a midwife in my early 40s and was the community midwife in Bream Bay from 2017–2021. I spent 16 years living in Waipū and found myself driving to Ruakākā every moment for my children’s college, soccer and extracurricular activities, so I decided to move here, and it is a bit closer to the maternity unit in Whangārei. The 10–15 minute difference meant at times finding a car parking space or being on time to a baby’s birth or not.”

Trudy now works as a locum, supporting and assisting other midwives in the area.

“I turned locum so other midwives could rest or have assistance if need be. As a mother with adult children, I find I mother the mothers now. I spend time with new mums, postnatally, and because I go to their home, their private space, they are able to really open up about how they are feeling.

“Their partners go back to work, their mother, mother-in-law or support

people return to their daily lives and often visit intermittently. For some, that is quite nice, but others need connection. You have your friends and family, but first-time mums have been born into motherhood the same day the baby is born, and they have to adapt to a different way of being. They need to discover who they are now.

“Generally, most people have done internal work, but if they haven’t, the time alone can create space for internal reflection, and that can be a good thing or not. My bubs and mums group helps new mums meet others who are having the same experience. It’s about coming out into society as a mum and being able to feel like what they feel is normal.

“They get to have a laugh and talk about things that may be worrying them other than how many poops the baby has had or how many diapers they have used. When women come together — there is magic, love, wisdom and natural healing.

“Birth changes our lives and relationships, and the space is a place where first-time mums can experience a different conversation about all the changes in their lives.

“The group is meeting monthly at the Bream Bay Community Trust building

at 9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā starting on Thursday, June 15 at 9.30am. I am asking if people could bring a gold coin donation to help pay for the space. I am hoping it will create a life of its

own with a lot of new friendships being formed because you can never have enough friends.”

For more information — call Trudy 027 361 2721. ¢

join together in a space of their own as they gain

p Trudy Thomson is using her experience as a midwife to start a group for first-time mothers and their babies to join together for conversation and friendship

WHAT’S NEW Awakening an area’s heritage

u by Amy Fifita

Learn something new and activate your mind at the Mangawhai Museum by exploring the culture and history of the area.

Delve into the past with a new experience on the Southside Stories Heritage Bus Tour on June 26. The tour will take you on an adventure of the area and through time with volunteers sharing stories and significant landmarks.

“We believe that history should not just be in the museum. We have a heritage trail with signs around Mangawhai

HERITAGE BUS TOUR

Join us for Southside Stories, a three hour bus tour through Te Arai, Tomarata, and area. Stories of the past shared throughout. Tickets $40, $35 for Friends of the Museum

Monday, 26th June at 11am.

Lunch included.

191 Molesworth Drive | 09 431 4645 www.mangawhai-museums.org.nz

township and wanted to do something history related in an interesting way,” museum manager Tom Long said.

The current tour will be an addition to the area because the museum wanted to share the history south of the area.

“Our history group consist of 80 volunteers who volunteer about 1,000 hours annually. They do the research, and the heritage trail is their brainchild.

“Bev Ross is the local historian who has written several books about the area. She has amazing knowledge and wants to share it with the community. Volunteers will talk about 150 years of the area’s history.”

The ticket includes a lunch break with sandwiches and other snacks at the Tomarata Hall. A standard ticket costs $40 and must be booked in advance. The bus sets off on its journey at 11am.

It will be hosting its annual Live Night at the Museum on July 21 from 4.30pm–8pm. Volunteers dress in historical garb, and there are various activities to engage with, including learning how to dance the Charleston. It costs $12 for an

adult ticket and $20 for a family of two parents and up to four children.

“The event is intended for families to come and see the museum come to life. It is like the museum is on steroids. It always draws large crowds and is a lot of fun.”

Swim Between the Flags is the current special exhibit celebrating 60 years of the Mangawhai Surf Life Saving Club. There are two months left to experience the display.

“Our next special exhibit is about the R Tucker Thompson, which was built and launched in Mangawhai. It will open on October 12.

“It is a life-changing event for many youth and they open it up for tourists, too. I went on it when I first came to New Zealand, and it was amazing.

“It is volunteer week next week, and I want to say that we have a wonderful community and volunteers who do an amazing job.” ¢

p Tom Long, Mangawhai Museum manager, says that the Live Night at the Museum event draws large crowds and is a lot of fun for families

DO

DO

DRIVE

Custom, comfort and control

u by Andy Bryenton

When you buy a new car or pick up a second-hand bargain, it’s likely that you’ve chosen a machine close to what you want and need for your driving lifestyle.

What makes the biggest difference to your driving experience? Many experts would say that the biggest single choice you can make to affect the handling and feel of your car is through its tyres.

The width, tread pattern, profile and compound of your tyres dictate how your car turns and grips, and if you drive a ute of 4x4, the difference between true off-road rubber and rolling stock on lowprofile show rims is clearly apparent. There’s so much to choose from that

talking to your tyre professionals about what fits your driving life best is a great idea, especially in terms of safety and fuel economy.

When it comes to performance upgrades, extra power for used vehicles can be a matter of simply retuning them to the efficiency they enjoyed when brand new. A real ‘birthday’ for your engine might restore horsepower that has escaped over the years. Still, alternatively, there’s the option to get a professional to tune the fuel injection and computer control mapping of your engine digitally. With many vehicles now operating on a ‘fly by wire’ principle, electronic tuning is a popular choice as an alternative to expensive induction swaps and lumpy cams.

Speaking of electrics, there are many modern conveniences which can be retrofitted to older machines to bring them up to date. Reversing cameras and dash cams, blind spot monitors, and banks of extra powerful lights are just some examples, as are electric winches and even entire camping setups with refrigeration. The word from experts in this field is to consult with an auto electrician when you’re keen

to load up on electric extras. It might be necessary to overhaul your vehicle’s wiring and battery set-up to handle the load.

Cosmetically, there is little that hasn’t been tried and marketed in terms of making a car or ute stand out. Springs to raise and lower your stance, airbags and hydraulics, tinted windows, designer

rims and body kits are all out there for the taking. Originality is king, from custom paint to fresh upholstery, but it’s worth ensuring that the more wild mods fit within the letter of the law. Some, and some engine and power boosts, will require certification, so check with your local auto pros to ensure you stay on the right side of regulations. ¢

p Customise your vehicle to best fit your driving needs — ask your local experts about ways to make a factory set-up into a specialised monster machine

Hybrid bruiser takes on Europe

u by Andy Bryenton

Ferrari may have won at Le Mans for the race’s centennial, but Toyota still managed to come in second, continuing a string of podium victories which has included several chequered flags in recent years.

This is important because of the technology deployed in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s endurance hypercars; they’re all hybrids. Of course, most manufacturers talk a big game about how their racing pedigree trickles technology down to the street-car manufacturing divisions which feed the fleets of the world. However, this is usually a slow process, and once the accounts department gets involved, the flights of fancy which take raceinspired genius to the auto shows of Tokyo, Geneva and Detroit are usually toned down.

Not so the latest Lexus to carry on the sporty IS-series tradition. It’s a hybrid, but it’s still very much a sporty driver’s car with a compact shape, aggressive styling and 220 horsepower delivered by a combination of petrol power and electricity. Of course, previous IS models have been favourites of those seeking a bit of pep with their luxury. The IS 200 started things off as an upscale version

of the sporty Toyota Altezza, and ever since, the marque has been a credible alternative to the BMW 3 series or C-class Mercedes.

Now comes the new IS 300 Black Line, and if the ‘black’ appellation seems familiar, it’s because special Lexus projects with this terminology have sat at the pointy end of power for the brand for a few years now. The intention of the 2023 model is apparent from its looks. A redefined, more aggressive grille, a blacked-out bonnet giving the nod to legendary JDM racers, and wheels by Enkei, one of the most respected names in tuning and performance.

The power under the hood is a mixture of classic and modern. Arguably nobody does a four-cylinder motor better than Toyota, which has nailed the formula since the days of the 4AGE. For the new IS it has combined one of these with hybrid electric batteries, and delivered all of the power to the rear wheels. As in

its endurance racers, power is sent to the batteries whenever the car brakes or decelerates, and then gets deployed for extra, high-torque punch when it’s needed. Lexus has added its F-Sport handling package to make the Black Line more fun in the corners, and you’ll certainly find the cabin luxurious; it’s even available in red leather for those who want to make a statement. The best part? This very distinctive, quick, economical hybrid sports fourdoor costs only a couple of notes more than BMW’s base three series right now. That makes the IS a real threat to Europe’s benchmark and an option well worth considering.

p Lessons learned from the triumph of Toyota’s hybrid hypercars on the track have funnelled down to this year’s hottest Lexus

Flowers with love

u by Ann van Engelen

Vanessa

Lockett

of Miss

Botanicals

Floral Studio in Mangawhai has more than 20 years of floristry experience and says growing up in a family who loved gardening is what helped propel her into a career with flowers.

“I have been in Mangawhai for nearly nine years now, with my children going through primary school here,” says Vanessa.

“My daughter is now at Rodney College, and we love the area, especially with the surfing and motocross activities.

“I come from a family of gardeners and have always been a keen gardener myself. When I did my floristry course, I never looked back. My mum’s family come from Ohawini Bay, next to the little seaside town of Oakura, in Northland. Mum went to Whangaruru School and was raised by her grandmother. When we were young we moved from Ohawini to the Hibiscus Coast, where my dad’s family is from, and my brother and I went to school down there.

“I started floristry straight from school when I was 18 years old and trained at Unitec in Auckland under Malcolm

Angus. It was a very comprehensive floristry course, and you had to work full-time to be a junior, study one night a week for intermediate and another for senior floristry training. It was certainly a full-time commitment, but you got on with it.

“Malcolm is very well known in the florist industry. I was one of the youngest in the group in a class of about 30 students. The study consisted of botany, art, retail and the practical components of putting the flowers together. The course was made up of a lot of moving parts.

“I thrived on the practical part and still use a lot of the science behind the botany. I learned a lot through the retail side of things, including time management and interacting with customers, which I lean on now with my wedding business.”

Vanessa owned her own florist shop in Warkworth in her early 20s.

“When my children came along, I had a break from flowers and picked it up again when we moved here to Mangawhai. Five years ago, I decided to specialise in weddings and events alongside my floral bouquets and arrangements. My brand Miss Botanics is now well established in the wedding industry from Matakana through to the Northland area for our personalised service.

“I decided to branch out when this space became available at Magnolia Farm, 110 Moir Street, Mangawhai, alongside Magnolia Hair with Kim Blackler and Bliss Beauty with Lotti Scott. It is a wonderful spot, and I have been here for three weeks now, and we have had lots of beautiful positive feedback.

“The premises was an old shearing shed that has been fully renovated, and

“Floristry is a lot of fun, and that’s why I decided to specialise in weddings”

p Vanessa Lockett prides herself on creating individual floral arrangements with the freshest, locally-grown flowers when possible

my area is the old calf rearing building that has been fitted out and specifically works for us. We have lots of people coming and going every day, and we have plans in the pipeline for cool things in the future. It is very exciting to have a little nook in town that has a bit of character, especially with all the new subdivisions and commercial blocks going in. Our space has a lot of heart.

“Coming from a keen gardening background, I love the outlet working with flowers gives me. I can let loose as I personalise arrangements for people. We like to use a lot of textured, interesting foliage and do things a little bit differently to the standard, traditional floristry style.

“I don’t have a favourite flower. There are so many cool options, and working with what is in season is a biggie for me. We try to source directly from our local growers, as a big factor in my business is using local products and getting what is at its best each season.

“We are more specialised and unique to what you would normally find

in a florist shop and can help people decide on what they may like. Floristry is a lot of fun, and that’s why I decided to specialise in weddings. Flowers can really make or break the whole day, and I take pride in helping people get what they like.

“Occasion flowers are also fun. Quite often, people don’t have flower-buying experience, and we often work from their ideas they find online or our website. We don’t have a catalogue where you pick a number and on our website, we offer a ‘leave it to us’ bouquet, which is tailored to what’s in season, but the customer gives me a colour palette they would like flowers in.

“We work alongside people for bereavement flowers and can add personal touches like photos, garden mementoes or sporting memorabilia. They all add a personal touch.

“When I am approached to do a wedding, I ask for three months’ notice to ensure supply with the growers. I have my Miss Botanicals Facebook page or missbotanicals.co.nz website.

With occasion flowers, ideally, ordering the day before at least is good notice for me, so we can make sure we have the specifics, but we can make arrangements on the day of order.

“The best way to look after cut flowers is by taking the wrapping off and recutting the stems at an angle when you receive them. Give them nice fresh water with two tablespoons of bleach in it to keep the bugs away, and this keeps them fresh and crisp, and redo the water again every two or three days. It is also good to keep them away from too much heat, air-conditioning units and fireplaces or extremely cold temperatures.

“We also have a floral subscription at Miss Botanicals where you set a value for weekly or fortnightly flowers, and we bunch up something beautiful and ensure they are delivered to your home or business. People are loving that option.

“We do daily deliveries to Mangawhai, Waipū and Ruakākā and have found there has obviously been a need for

our floral service. I have two senior and one junior florist working alongside me, and we do all manner of arrangements, including preserved and dried flowers too. During winter, we are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm and will look at summer hours in August.

“I love that we have the coolest, rustic floral studio you ever did see. We are always busy creating alongside the signature style, lush Miss Botanical wedding florals, and we create something super special to deliver to people’s loved ones or even yourself.

To me, being beside Magnolia Hair and Bliss Beauty here at Magnolia Farm in Mangawhai is all part of the fun.

“It is a lot of fun having my new premises. The girls and I have a lot of laughs as we bounce off each other with different ideas. Everybody loves flowers, they are an item that is always well received, and they create memories for people, especially certain scents like freesias, when you smell them, it often takes you back to an event or place in time.”

“We like to use a lot of textured, interesting foliage and do things a little bit differently to the standard, traditional floristry style”

p Vanessa with Lotti Scott from Bliss Beauty and Magnolia Hair’s Kim Blackler at the front of their studios at Mangawhai’s Magnolia Farm

p Taking the space at Magnolia Farm has given Vanessa a studio with character to work from

p Vanessa with her fiancé Ben and their children enjoying family time together

p Using her 20 years of expertise, Vanessa enjoys helping people to personalise their floral orders

Don’t be one of the followers

u by Jane Gray

We should form our own opinions not be led like sheep.

For example, co-governance, what is the problem with it? Having multicultural ideas can only benefit us all. Being a multicultural country makes us richer and more understanding of each other.

However, co-governance representatives not being duly elected; that is a problem. Handshakes and backroom deals to appoint members of boards are wrong. It doesn’t matter what ethnicity the members of a board governing a public amenity are; it does matter that they are democratically elected and accountable.

Social media may be the scourge of all that is good — according to some. That’s debatable, but the lack of controls in place is most certainly a problem. Social media platforms cannot be held accountable for carrying misinformation or very objectionable content. Conventional media can face big penalties. The amount of unsolicited marketing that appears across all platforms is alarming and very rarely correctly targeted. Still slamming the door shut and saying you can’t use it will not work either.

Differing opinions seem to hit the news on a regular basis. Arguments about culture, race and gender identity are just a few. Most people just want to live their lives as they see fit and don’t want to get involved in politics that make the news or social media headlines. I agree that at times there needs to be a spotlight on certain issues, but when every issue is in the spotlight, then this tends to lessen empathy and increase opposition. Bigotry is only increased by bitter arguments.

Let’s all make sure that we are not buying into overactive reporting by those that have a personal agenda. ¢

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PUZZLE TIME

Jumbo crossword

30 Fold mark (6)

31 Knife-sharpening rod (5)

32 Puma (6)

34 Engrave with acid (4)

36 Large and heavy (5)

38 Effrontery (5)

40 Cover on a healing cut (4)

45 Money resources (5)

46 Sell to bidders (7)

47 Front part (4) 48 Filter out (6)

49 Stay clear of (5)

50 Suggest (7)

52 Bankruptcy (10)

53 Of plants (7)

54 Polish port (6)

55 Scottish city (7)

56 Announce (5)

57 Fencing sword (4)

62 Muzzle (5)

67 EEC ring (anag)(7)

68 Sadism (7)

70 Advantage (7)

72 Russian playwright (7)

73 American state (6)

74 Savage (6)

75 Domestic servant (6)

76 Aircraft wing parts (5)

78 Portend, bode (5)

Sudoku

Last week’s crossword solution

ACROSS: 1 Equip, 4 Have a roving eye, 11 Aunts, 14 Wings, 15 Watercolour, 16 Scimitar, 19 Shotgun, 20 Under, 21 Focussing, 24 Desirable, 26 Acidic, 27 Escape, 31 Sneer, 32 Consumer, 34 Challenger, 38 Curator, 39 Fabric, 40 Alerts, 41 Haul, 42 Mystery, 45 Deportment, 50 Rapidly, 54 Glow, 55 Sculpt, 56 Prized, 57 Cologne, 60 Locomotive, 61 Illusion, 62 Hitch, 65 Resign, 66 Orchid, 67 Diaphragm, 72 Rationale, 73 Broke, 74 Abolish, 79 Bearings, 80 Disobedient, 81 Ocean, 82 Wring, 83 The third degree, 84 Elder.

DOWN: 2 Quiche, 3 Ingot, 5 Afar, 6 Eternal, 7 Rocket, 8 Vile, 9 Neurosis, 10 Excess, 11 Administer, 12 Note, 13 Scrooge, 17 Pupil, 18 Punishment, 22 Rayon, 23 Vanguard, 25 Elegant, 26 Apricot, 28 Unruly, 29 Embryo, 30 Slater, 33 Suave, 35 Rally, 36 Tour, 37 Fade, 42 Mogul, 43 Showcase, 44 Yachts, 45 Delivering, 46 Pets, 47 Replied, 48 Mainly, 49 Needs, 51 Ahoy, 52 Ironing, 53 Lunacy, 58 Emigrating, 59 Coupé, 63 Childish, 64 Probe, 65 Rainbow, 68 Inkling, 69 Fidget, 70 Friend, 71 Estate, 75 Local, 76 Sari, 77 Door, 78 Knee.

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

VISIT US

TAKE TIME OUT

THE GALLERY

The Gallery has a wide-ranging collection of art by established and emerging New Zealand artists, many of which are Northland based – this includes contemporary Maori and Pacific artists. There is an outstanding selection of paintings, wood art, handmade furniture, sculpture, jewellery, glass and ceramics. Our catalogue changes frequently, so please make an enquiry and we’ll confirm with you.

GALLERY HOURS: OPEN SEVEN DAYS, 10AM TO 5PM

CONTACT PETER 09 433 9616 | PETE@GALLERYHELENABAY.CO.NZ

THE CAFE

Discover the Cafe on Helena Bay Hill, along the Secret Coast Route. We’re ready to serve fair-trade coffee and tempting homemade goodies from our cabinet or delicious meals from our menu. Relax in the ambiance of spectacular ocean and bush views and a warm atmosphere with the camaraderie of attentive and personable staff. It’s not just another cafe, it’s an experience!

OPENING HOURS:

THURSDAY - MONDAY OPEN FROM 10AM TO 4PM KITCHEN OPERATES UNTIL 3PM

CONTACT JANET 09 433 9934 | HELENABAYCAFE@GMAIL.COM

THE GARDENS

One of the highlights of a visit to the Gallery and Cafe Helena Bay Hill is the beautiful garden setting. You are welcome to wander and relax in the garden during your visit. You’ll find many sculptures placed among the subtropical plantings, giving inspiration for your own landscaping ideas.

1392 Old Russell Road, RD4 Hikurangi