The Weekend Lifestyler, November 25th, 2022

Founder of Wandering Angels Animal Sanctuary, Michele Clarke, has been saving unwanted pets for three years on her property near Waipū Caves with the support of her partner John Shanaghan. Like all animal

rescue agencies at present, Michele’s work never stops, but she says knowing they are helping animals, one at a time, is worth the commitment they made to start the sanctuary.

Family achievements continue

u by Ann van Engelen

Jared is the grandson of New Zealand Black Caps cricket great Brendon Bracewell. Coach Shaun Holder says Jared has proven for a number of years that he is worthy of higher honours, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his talents.

“Sport was born and bred into us as a family,” says mum Nadia Bracewell.

“My brothers played rugby and cricket, and I played netball, and one day asked Jared if he wanted to play rugby.

“He didn’t start until he was 10 because we were dairy farmers and moved around lots. When we came

has been awesome and is a huge support too.”

Jared represents Northland in rugby league as well.

“He just loves to be out on the field. As a parent, I think playing sports is extremely good for children. It gives them goals to focus on, and it gives them the experience of working as a team, and they meet other players from all around the country at competition level.

“Jared can go to Hamilton to play and catches up with others he has met from Taranaki and Southland at other events. I have always told my children that you

home, we put him into the Waipū Rugby Club. He went straight in. He hadn’t played at all prior, just a bit of soccer.

“He fell in love with the sport, went for his first rep stint in the U15 and made it into the Whangārei Bears team. He was then selected to play in the Roller Mills tournament, and that was his first taste of competitive rugby, and it inspired him to keep training hard to improve himself.

“He is also influenced and supported by his grandfather Brendon Bracewell and uncle Dougie who both played cricket for the New Zealand Black Caps, and he wanted to be like them from a young age. His coach Shaun Holder

are going to win and lose in life, and it is good to learn how to take the losses, pick your head up and learn from it and work harder.

“You have to be self-disciplined and look after your body too. Jared is very self-disciplined and is good at watching his diet as well. He treats it like a temple because he knows if he isn’t fit, he can’t perform.”

Jared says he has big sporting goals for the future.

“I love the competitiveness and physical game of rugby and making mates through the teams I am in — it is like a brotherhood. My goal is to one day represent my region, and my ultimate dream is to play for my country.” ¢

Waipū Rugby Club is celebrating with U16’s team captain Jared Cook who has been selected to play in the Blues U17 development squad.

p Jared with his younger brother Levi who plays U14s for Waipū, and his mum Nadia at the recent club prize-giving

“I love the competitiveness and physical game of rugby and making mates through the teams I am in — it is like a brotherhood”

u by Ann van Engelen

“I used to have the butcher shop here for 20 years and sold that about five years ago,” says Kyle. “I had always wanted to have my own burger truck and had been looking for a suitable van for a long time. This one came up in Palmerston North just before Christmas last year, and she was already decked out. I made a few simple changes to suit my needs and added an ice cream machine, and we have finally got all my council approvals through recently.

“I didn’t have a name for her, but had been reading lots about The White Lady in Auckland and thought being blue — my food truck could be her cousin. I am currently making mostly burgers and fries, ice creams and cold drinks, but will add speciality takeaway meals in the near future once we get going.

“It is lovely doing something different. I make all my own burger sauces and fresh meat patties too. They are a homestyle burger rather than a production line creation, and I use fresh ingredients. I have always enjoyed interacting with my customers, and The Blue Lady is a nice change from the butcher shop. We don’t have anything like this in Waipū.”

Kyle also makes an old-fashioned Scotch Lorne sausage burger.

“Lorne sausage is made like a loaf with nutmeg, oregano and bread crumbs — it is beautiful on a burger. I do bacon and egg and veggie burgers as well. I have had lots of good comments so far with my burgers. One lady said it is the best burger she has had in seven

years, so I am pretty proud of that. It is nice to be doing something a bit different to the ordinary, and I love that I can use my secret patty and my sauce recipes locally.

“My wife Kerry and I have just built our new home and are loving it. Having had the butcher shop for so many years means we know lots of people, and we love providing our community with something that wasn’t here.

“We are hoping that The Blue Lady will become a well-loved local burger joint, and we are currently looking for someone

especially on a Monday. We are open from 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Mondays. If anyone is interested in helping our dream run more smoothly, they can contact us on the Blue Lady Waipū Facebook page or drop by and see us.” ¢

help me,

autoglassww@gmail.com

Long time Waipū resident, and former butcher Kyle Thomas, saw his dreams come true this month when he opened the Blue Lady food truck at Waihoihoi Park on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights.

autoglassww@xtra.co.nz BUY,EAT, WORK , PLAY

or

Trio share exhibition

u by Ann van Engelen

“We have all known each other for many years, and our aim is to complete walls and homes with a unique touch,” says Tracey.

“Tori is my sister-in-law, and Rebecca and I both work at Otamatea High School and have had three exhibitions together now. Rebecca is using her brand name Flora Tondo because this is her more expressive floral work.

“I work in mixed media, using vibrantly painted paper to collage and construct new forms that are then digitalised. My current series is driven by ideas of carefree days at the beach, memories of my youth and feminine identity.

“We have vividly hued portraits that have ambiguous identities, often inspired by characters in a novel, of wily, uncompromising heroines from a wide range of backgrounds. These portraits are pure escapism and a homage to feminine beauty.

“My works are very process-based, and I love the nature of paints and expressive marks. I paint my paper and then do a collage series, particularly the feminine form, as I admire the beauty of it.

“I love the process and concept of construction and reconstruction of the many different pieces until I get to the

final outcome. It fascinates me and represents the idea of how we have the different layers of DNA and ethnicity within us.”

Rebecca’s works are distinctive in style and have signature elements like the distressed gold leaf edge and glossy resin layers.

“Blooms that remind me of family, friends and occasions are where my interest in the flower began,” says Rebecca.

“Flowers can be used in significant moments of delight, to celebrate or sympathise with. Flowers are beautiful yet resilient. They stimulate fond memories and remind us of the goodness of God.”

Tori’s works are influenced by colour, composition and expression. Her works are inspired by the work of famous artists: Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko and Georgia O’Keefe, and their extraordinary use of colour, process and form.

“I love looking at how many different colours can work together,” says Tori. “I like to push the boundaries of colour composition and balance. Working with the contrast of heavy and light, expressive and controlled brush strokes can create a sense of expression and depth to my art.

“I am as immersed in the process as it is about the outcome. While the final product is a fine art print, each artwork is painstakingly done by hand.

“We are really excited. It is going to be very beautiful, colourful and vibrant. The Lounge has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, and we want people to

come, unwind and be enveloped in our decorative.

“The opening celebrations are on tomorrow, Friday 25, from 6pm–8pm, and the show is open daily from 10am to 3pm until midday, Wednesday, December 7, at Mangawhai Artists Gallery, 45 Moir Street.” ¢

Local artists Tracey Christie, Rebecca Barclay-Clist, aka Flora Tondo, and Tori Thomas, have a boutique collection of fine art on display at The Lounge exhibition at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery.

p Tracey Christie, right, with The Lounge artists Rebecca Barclay-Clist, aka Flora Tondo, and Tori Thomas with some of their works of art

Inspired with wire

u by Amy Fifita

Sculptor Sharon Watson made her artistic venture in chicken-wire sculptures about five years ago after seeing a similar idea online, and her creations have since blossomed into a desirable item.

“I have done art for most of my life and do a bit of everything,” says Sharon.

“If anything is art-related, I will give it a go. I saw a wire sculpture post on Pinterest with chicken wire as the material used and wanted to give it a go.

“I showed my friends on Facebook the first sculpture I was making, and suddenly, I had people asking me to make things for them. When you’re an artist and have someone who would like to purchase your products, it is good and shows you that you are doing something right.”

Sharon has an art background in drawing, cartoons and painting. She has written stories and had them published. The chicken wire creations were the first time she tried sculpting.

“I bought myself a roll of chicken wire, and my first sculpture was an eagle. It was a hobby, and it still is my hobby. I absolutely love it. When you have a passion and enjoy doing something, it becomes part of you. I fill my wirework so that if it is sitting in a tree, it looks realistic.

“I craft more than birds and have also made treehuggers, Alice in Wonderland, Cruella Deville with her dalmatian and a full model of the America’s Cup, which is displayed in a boat broker’s office

on Auckland’s Westhaven Drive. I don’t have plans for what I make. I create from an idea I see in my head and then decide how I’m going to achieve each piece. I don’t use pictures to base the sculptures on but I do make sure I have the shaping right.

“My favourite to date was creating Mr Tunmus, a character from Clive Staples Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. He is a bit of a character in himself and was incredible to make. He is half man and half beast, and I had to make all the hair on his legs and his hooves, and he

has books and an umbrella as well. It is placed in my client’s garden under a lamp post, and the light shines on him. It came together really nicely.”

Sharon’s son sells her crafts for her in Mangawhai, and she says she is grateful for her family who back her aspirations and artistry.

“My two sons and their partners are an inspiration to me. All artists put our work out there, and at times, it is rejected but it is nice to have family, like my sons, mum and stepdad, who support who I am and what I do.” ¢

p Artist Sharon Watson began chicken wire sculpting five years ago

p Sharon’s first chicken wire sculpture was of an eagle, which she displayed to her friends on Facebook

The queen of climbers

u by Liz Clark

Each spring and summer, the glorious cascades of flowers blooming on wisteria vines provide a showy display, unlike any other vine that can be named.

A member of the legume family, wisteria has several species ranging from east Asia to the North American continent. A vigorous grower, it can be grown as a standard on a strong steel support or trained along a wall or on a pergola. Regular pruning will keep the vines in shape and under control.

Once fully established, this attractive climber can provide a shady setting to take refuge from a hot summer sun during the day. The flowers are deeply scented and give visitors an attractive talking point while enjoying time together. It’s important to note wisteria is poisonous, so caution should be exercised, especially with pets and young children.

If you’re tempted to have a wisteria added to your gardening addiction, take a walk around your garden and work out where you’d like to have your future acquisition growing. Do you want it as a focal point by standardising it with decorative metal support? Would you rather have a pergola to sit beneath and have al fresco dining instead?

Ensure you choose carefully where your wisteria will have its final position

before going off to the garden centre to select your favourite cultivar. It will need a sunny site, preferably sheltered from strong winds, to protect the flowers during the blooming period. First of all, set in place the desired support structure before proceeding with planting.

If you’re planning to build a pergola, check with your local council on planning rules to ascertain if building consent is required. Engage a professionally licensed building practitioner to do the construction, ensuring a safe, long-lasting structure.

Once the support system is in place, then go out shopping for your new wisteria. Choose a strong, vigorous plant free of weak growth and any nutritional deficiencies. It’s better to spend a little more for a good quality, healthy vine rather than grab one from the bargain bin and end up disappointed. Wisteria has a range of colours, including whites, pinks, purples and blues. Choose according to your preferences. All wisteria grow well in rich, well-drained soil and thrive with regular feeding and watering.

Talk to your local garden centre or search online for more information. ¢

Back in the ring

u by Amy Fifita

Wellsford kickboxer Ringi Osborne learned how to fight in schoolyard play battles and got into Taekwondo at the age of nine.

“Taekwondo came naturally, and I reached a red belt and was placed second in the nationals at 11 years old,” says Ringi.

“I learned how to punch and kick properly in those early years, but I gave it up and went back to it three years later but didn’t commit to it and pulled out again. When I was 25, Balmoral Kickboxing came to Wellsford with instructor Paul Heem teaching on Sundays for an hour and a half, and I switched to kickboxing.

“I trained with him for about a year, and he was going to set me up for my first amateur fight with pads, but it never happened.”

Ringi made another attempt to get back into fighting and drove down to an Auckland gym but walked out after the trainer started picking on him.

“When I hit age 30, I was watching the UK Muay Thai contender and thought I could match them in a fight. It inspired me to get back into the ring. I contacted my cousin Joel Martin, a champion kickboxer, and told him I wanted to fight and to give me six weeks to prepare.

“Joel called five weeks later with a fight organised for me in Napier against Pane Haraki, who had five wins and three losses, weighing in at 93 kilograms.

“I was 103 kilograms, so I had a 10-kilogram advantage. I trained for five weeks and had a bit of help from James Wilson, an experienced fighter from Mangawhai and sparred with my cousin Joel.

“I didn’t know, but Pane was New Zealand’s light heavyweight champ. I ended up dropping him in the first round with my third punch. I almost knocked him out, but he got up and dropped me, but I managed to get up and went the distance and made it to the end of the fight. It was my first and best fight.”

Ringi then took a break from fighting and returned after an eight-year hiatus.

“I got mixed up with depression and anxiety and eventually became involved in Kaiwaka Revival Church, which has helped me heaps. I never thought it would happen, but I am back in the ring.

“In 2012, I had a vision of a vest with a lion, New Zealand and crosses on it. I ended up getting it made in Bali a year later and now walk into my competitions with it on. It has helped change me and get me out of a dark place.

“Along with church, wearing the vest has reignited my passion to start training again. To me, it represents my belief in Christianity and has helped me get back into the sport.” ¢

We create beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces to enhance your home and lifestyle.

Whether you’re extending a family living area or creating a space for entertaining, our proudly New Zealand designed and manufactured roofing system is specifically made for the New Zealand coastal environment.

We are based in Bream Bay and offer services around Northland.

Please get in touch if you want us to help you create a beautiful outdoor room at your place.

We have numerous satisfied customers happy to showcase their structures to interested people.

p Ringi Osborne and his friend Samantha Buhl

p Ringi had his vest made in Bali and walks into the ring with it on

Blueprint to handover

How smart will your home become?

u by Andy Bryenton

Smart homes offer the opportunity to control many aspects of your dwelling from mobile apps and monitor chores such as vacuuming and lawn mowing as robots take care of them.

However, for those thinking at the edges of the smart homes’ envelope, the ability to accommodate items like the Roomba or the Husqvarna robotic lawn mower into a home is just the beginning. They envisage a future in which your house is a member of the family, interacting in the way that fictional superhero Tony Stark could with his AI butler Jarvis.

The pieces are coming together as researchers race to create a true ‘thinking machine’. Take, for example, Facebook’s SEER AI, which has a higher than 84 per cent accuracy rate in identifying people and images from pictures. In the future, this kind of tech could be instrumental in both home security and your home’s AI, knowing which family member it’s talking to.

Meanwhile, an AI called MuZero has managed to learn how to play chess without having the rules programmed into it. Learning something this complex in the way a child would means that it’s only a few steps away from learning how

to cook your favourite recipes in the kitchen. Luckily, inventor Mark Oleynik has already created a set of robot arms which can prepare meals to the level of a five-star chef. For now, they need to be programmed meal by meal, but in the future, they will learn what you enjoy most and be able to improvise.

Artificial Intelligence is also startlingly good at working out patterns. For

example, it’s being used to help balance out electricity usage across power grids where green sources like wind and solar can be unpredictable, but demand is always there. Researchers hope that home AI in the smart home of tomorrow may be able to use this kind of learning to take the initiative, ditching apps and letting the home itself adapt to the temperature it knows you’d like, the

gardening program which works best for the plants, and the best way to run the house to save power.

It sounds like something from science fiction, but it’s big business. The company that makes microchip fabrication machines capable of supporting AI, ASML, is worth half a trillion dollars on the international stock exchange. AIs developing medicines (another thing they are very good at) have been floated for more than a billion dollars to shareholders.

Combine this with the work of companies like Boston Dynamics, which now make walking, running and even acrobatic robots. The question is not how smart your home could be in the future or whether you’ll have an AI helper. Serious ethicists and legal experts are already questioning whether it’s morally right to consider owning a machine that can think like us, and how society will change when we grow up with AI assistants, companions, teachers and friends. ¢

p Right now, Moly Kitchen’s robot chef needs to be programmed and costs half a million dollars. As prices come down and AI improves, devices like this could learn and improvise

Making dreams practical

by Amy Fifita

Building your nest is different from moving into a pre-existing home. Recall your previous dwellings and when you thought that it would be nice to have this. These are all blocks that can be used to create your dream home. It is your canvas to draw on, so employing an architect and designer can give you the extra help to see how your ideas will work practically and aesthetically.

You may be thinking, why spend the extra money? Why can’t I work it out myself?

Architects and designers have first-hand experience and, depending on your request, likely have achieved similar ideas for clients before. They will hear your plan and have the knowledge on how to proceed with your fancies.

They are also people with a deep knowledge of building codes and practices and will know how to make your personal options happen in realworld situations.

An architect can take your ideas and turn them into space in your home, so

tell them how much area you need. They will use their skills to create a safe and structurally sound place for you and your family to use and design it to look grand and suited to your vision.

You can discuss topics like a home office or where to place windows for the perfect view from each room of your property. You may want a space to paint, do crafts or build models in and, of course, places to display your works of art.

Are you a car fanatic? Do you aspire to have a large car collection of hot rods

and classics? They can work with you to decide on spaces to use with a workbench and space specifically for your needs and how you tinker.

A designer can help you with the little but significant touches. Ideas like colours and texture but also can embellish your vision. They are creative people who can make your vision a reality. They will provide you with options and are valuable people to bounce ideas off.

Architectural designers will help define the layout and landscapes of your home. They will rustle up ideas from your direction and preferences. The goal is to make your property desirable to you and the practical elements you require.

Architects and designers can quantify your needs and desires. Using their expertise can ease the stress of building a home so you can live in your comfort for the rest of your life or until you decide to sell. They will help you smooth the details into a workable and enjoyable space. ¢

p An architect can make what’s in your head a structurally sound reality when building your home

The animals’ angels

u by Ann van Engelen

The Waipū Caves area is home to Wandering Angels Animal Sanctuary, located at John Shanaghan and Michele Clarke’s four-acre property, which they have turned into an animal haven.

“John and I were childhood sweethearts who reconnected later in life,” says Michele.

“We wanted to get out of the city and found my dream home here, a house on the hill, with sea views, where I could open Wandering Angels Animal Sanctuary and rescue animals in need.

“In the early days, I worked closely with another large animal rescue and took in elderly dogs, and the need grew for all animals. My daughters got the wanderingangelswaipu.com website and Wandering Angels Animal Sanctuary Facebook page organised, and we haven’t looked back.”

Michele rescues cats, dogs, poultry and farm animals.

“I help all animals, and if I can’t take an animal, I network with other rescues to try and find it somewhere safe. I seem to get animals no one else wants, and

currently have a blind dog, two deaf dogs and a three-legged dog.

“Some come and run the paddocks, roll in the cow pats, smell the flowers and enjoy life until they go over the rainbow bridge. They just want cuddles, food and a warm place to be loved.

“We can’t believe how much we have accomplished in three years. Rescuing animals is expensive, and a few people help me. Pet Direct is one of my main sponsors, along with local company Nature’s Kai and an anonymous supplier who helps us with food. Their help is incredibly important to keep us going.

“I still have to work and fundraise to support the sanctuary and I am currently in the process of seeking charity status so I can apply for grants to help.

“We really appreciate the volunteers and foster team who help me. One lady is in Cromwell, and some are in Auckland

and other places. I put pets needing a home up on our website and Facebook page, and it works well.

“Some animals will never leave because they have been through enough in life, so those wandering angels stay with us because they deserve a happy ending.

“Since August, we have rescued a lot of puppies, and some were very

sick and needed extra care, so I ended up with huge vet bills. It was aroundthe-clock nursing, and then we’d still tend to the other animals, so we are putting a project team together, and they will be our trustees and help with decision-making.

“We also have support from The Vet Centre, which kindly gives me time to raise the funds to pay healthcare bills. If we succeed in getting charity status — that will help.

“People think a puppy is cute, then after a couple of months, they dump it because it is too hard”

p Farm animals such cows and sheep also become residents at Wandering Angels Animal Sanctuary

“Besides the dogs, at present, we have a cow and calf, four kunekune pigs, five cats and three kittens to be rehomed and a year-old lamb who thinks she is a dog. Last week I took two little angora goats, and they are bottle-fed and so cute.

“We also have chickens, ducks and guinea fowl. I look at it like, the cows keep the grass down, the pigs keep the gorse down, the cats catch mice, the guinea fowl eat the ticks and scare away the hawks, the ducks and hens lay eggs, and the lamb cleans up the paddocks too, so it all works well.”

Michele has a successful age care programme called WAGY, allowing the elderly to have a pet dog.

“WAGY stands for Wandering Angels Golden Years programme. We match senior dogs with senior humans so older people can acquire a dog that we own but they enjoy. Often the dogs have come from a senior person.

“If the person goes away or has a problem, we care for it until they can have it back. We monitor that the dogs

are being cared for and take them back if necessary. The programme works really well.

“I love that we make a difference to the animals we care for. If people like us and other animal rescues weren’t here, we would have a lot more animals in trouble. We really need people to think before committing to getting a pet, especially puppies.

“Please, don’t get a pet as a child’s Christmas or birthday present, not even a rabbit, because it often doesn’t work — they are not gifts. I know you want to teach children responsibility, but if the child doesn’t look after it and the parents get busy, the pet is abandoned.

“People think a puppy is cute, then after a couple of months, they dump it because it is too hard. We are often picking up people’s messes, but to us, the animal’s life is worth it.”

“People often say they’d love to do what we do, but if they really understood what we do, they’d think again. We see sad situations and can be exhausted

and have to race out and rescue another dog because someone threatened to shoot it, and if you don’t get it, its life will be over.

“We personally work on things like not getting angry, bitter and upset from seeing how animals are treated.

“Dogs are not born to be tied up all day. They need walks, love and attention. If you are going away, please, firstly consider what is happening with your pets. Don’t leave them tied up and left in a run, just don’t do it — that is unkind. Pets are your responsibility. If they can’t go with you or be cared for, don’t go away.

“It does my head in when I see a pet has to be rehomed because ‘life got busy’. Don’t get a husky if you have a low fence. It will jump it, and don’t get a Jack Russell if you have chickens because it will chase them. If you have cats and dogs, get them desexed.

“When you are running a rescue, you want to make sure the animals are all looked after no matter what and

enjoy time with them, but all rescues are overloaded. We are tired, but our phones don’t stop with people needing their animals taken.

“I love when people have researched the breeds before getting them, they make the best parents.”

Many animal rescuers are currently exhausted.

“At times, I cry from exhaustion. We feed puppies all night and hold down day jobs. I might be crying and look up to see all the dogs on the couch and I’ll say, ‘I said no dogs on the couch’, and they look at you innocently, with love, and it’s all better again.

“This week, I was out with the goat, and it was giving me cuddles and looking at me like ‘you are my mama’, and that is very heartwarming. You know it has been let down and is relying on you, and you have made a world of difference.

“I have met some really lovely people, and we love loving animals, and knowing that they have somewhere safe is what is important to us.”

“When you are running a rescue, you want to make sure the animals are all looked after no matter what and enjoy time with them, but all rescues are overloaded”

p Michele and John bought their lifestyle property specifically to be able to have an animal sanctuary

p Dogs, cats, lambs and chickens are some of the animals Michelle has rescued

p Two baby angora goats are currently enjoying being bottle-fed and playing with Michele on a daily basis

p Michele Clarke has created Wandering Angels Animal Sanctuary to ensure animals she is able to rescue get to live a happy, safe life

• beautiful beachside community — growing rapidly

While primarily catering to the daytime needs of our golfers with good Kiwi staples such as coffee, pies and sandwiches, we are looking for someone who can take our cafe to the next level.

Ideally, the successful person will create a destination cafe that will appeal to our golfers and attract visitors to dine during

the day and in the evenings. All predictions are that the Mangawhai area is primed to become a golfing destination, similar to Queenstown.

Interested? We are keen to talk, so why not at least get in touch to have a noobligation chat and see if this is the right opportunity for you? Contact Carry at 021 831 540 or carry@mangawhaigolf. co.nz. ¢

FOR 20 YEARS

BEEN PROUDLY BUILDING KIWI HOMES FOR KIWIS USING ALL THE BEST STUFF FROM RIGHT HERE IN GOOD OL’ NZ.

Over the last 20 years the Kiwi dream has come a long way since the elusive quarter acre. That’s why we’re proud to still be able to provide a Kiwi solution for your first home, second home, a home where you need a bit more home, or even your home away from home. We offer a range of plans from 60 to 250 square metres. These can be built straight from the plans, or we can use them as inspiration to create your own Kiwi dream.

Show home: Cnr of Sandford Road and State Highway 1, Ruakaka

Open: Mon-Fri 8.30am-4pm Saturday 10am-2pm

Contact: Steve Hart 09 433 0200 a1northland@A1homes.co.nz