The Weekend Lifestyler, October 20th 2023 by Integrity Community Media

October 20 2023

Let the pipes play P3

A love for song

Pampering for wellness P5

Aimee Renata grew up around music with her father, well-known Kaipara musician Fred Renata, encouraging her to play the guitar from a young age. Inspired by her grandmother Venus, Aimee, also known as Erny Belle, has written several songs to encapsulate her memories and important events in her life and has recently been working on her second album, Not Your Cupid. With a love for Te Ārai Beach, and many things Kaipara, she is looking forward to having summer with her family. continued on page 12 …

Making friends with music P7

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2 OctOber 20 2023 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

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u by Ann van Engelen

Results show commitment The Wellsford Golf Club is celebrating club member Jamie Thomas’s recent wins at the City of Whangārei Classic, and the James Busby Plate tournament played at Waitangi.

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“I got into golf because of a rugby injury when I was 12,” says Jamie. “My brother played golf, so I thought I’d join him, and found I really enjoyed it. I started getting junior coaching lessons on a Sunday because I wanted to get better and challenge myself to be the best I could be.” Jamie had previously played team sports such as rugby and cricket. “I’ve always enjoyed hitting things around, and with golf, I enjoy that it is a team and solo sport. I like that you can only blame yourself if you play a bad game — that’s a big upside to it for me. As I got better, I thought I could aim for

“

golf, which is every Thursday, with tee off from 3pm–6pm.” Adults are $10 and juniors play for $5 with prize-giving from 8pm, with the bar and kitchen open. “Jamie is a very impressive player, and we are proud of how far he has come in the sport,” says club president Andy Parry. “He’s 26 years old now and is the best player in our club. He’s the green keeper at Mangawhai Golf Course, and it’s good to see him pursuing the game. “With our Twilight Golf, it is a 10hole competition, and we’d love people of all ages, who may not have played

I’ve always enjoyed hitting things around, and with golf, I enjoy that it is a team and solo sport

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the higher levels, and then made all the Northland junior teams and moved into the senior squads as I got older. “Now, I have the best of both worlds playing for my province. In the last two weeks I have won two competitions, the James Busby Plate tournament in Waitangi and the City of Whangārei Classic. It feels great to win because I had come close often, placing second or third, but I had never taken first place. To win was very encouraging, especially as I was playing against a really good field. “I really encourage families to get along to the Wellsford Golf Club Twilight

”

golf before, to come along and join us to learn, or maybe take up the sport again. We have a regular following of members and non-members who join us each week. “The juniors have their own division on the night and get little prizes, too. It’s a great way to socialise, and parents or caregivers can have fun with their children as well. Junior golf runs every Friday from 3.45pm–5.45pm. Youth under 18 years old who want to come along and have a go can do so at no charge — you don’t need clubs or balls. It’s a great sport and a good way to make new friends.” ¢

THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER October 20 2023

Let the pipes play

u by Ann van Engelen

The Waipu Highland Pipe Band is calling for entrants to the 2024 New Zealand Championship Solo Piping competition to be held at Caledonian Park, Waipu, on January 1 2024. “We are very excited to be holding the New Zealand championships here in Waipu,” says piping steward Briar Hobson. “The NZ championships have competitions countrywide, and this year it’s our turn to host it. The solo competition has multiple grades. You begin as novice, working your way up to A grade, which is the top class pipers in the country. You get to hear amazing senior players along with young kids that are learning to play. “New Year’s Day is usually a beautiful sunny summer day, but our wet weather venue for the competition is the Waipu Primary School. There are drumming and highland dancing competitions and a games area for children. It’s a really family-friendly environment to come and participate and listen. “The Helen McGregor Memorial competition will begin at 4pm on December 31 and is open for any pipers to play a medley of whatever tunes the players want. We’ve had guys play Disney theme songs and other beautiful music. It’s an amazing chance for pipers to let loose and have fun. “Usually, the piper who won the previous year judges the event, and the

audience gets to participate, too. It’s not necessarily down to the best player. The Helen McGregor Memorial is in memory of my mum, who loved fun and that kind of piping. We encourage pipers of all levels to enter on the Waipu Highland Games website. “Our Waipu Highland Games are one of the longestrunning Scottish gatherings in the Southern Hemisphere, offering fierce competition, spectacular entertainment and a full day of family-friendly fun. The day is run by the Waipu Caledonian Society, with all games day proceeds continuing to go directly back p Pipers of all abilities are encouraged to join in the fun at the upcoming New Zealand Championship Solo into our local community. Piping competition “The games have gained the reputation of being one of the most to set the day aside and come and have is always a great night of fun with prestigious Highland events in the an amazing time together. We know music, a haggis ceremony, dancing world, each year attracting hundreds there are many new families in the area and supper. Tickets are available at of top pipers, drummers, dancers who don’t realise it’s on every New Year’s eventfinda.co.nz. For more information and heavyweight athletes along with Day and is one of Waipu’s biggest days on the piping competition, contact thousands of spectators from far of the year, and we’re very proud of it. Briar on 021 022 12406, email and wide. “The Highland Games Ceilidh will be highlandgamespipingwaipu@gmail. “This year, we will be having our 151st on December 31 at the Waipu Celtic com or visit waipuhighlandgames.co.nz/ Highland Games. We would love people barn starting at 8pm. The Ceilidh piping.” ¢

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p Tod Thompson, Greta Simmonds and Russell Harris were the team who completed the R Tucker Thompson

p The model of the R Tucker Thompson is on display at the Mangawhai Museum exhibition

A story well told

p Mangawhai local Mike Wharfe was also an integral part of the ship’s team

u by Ann van Engelen

The team responsible for completing the R Tucker Thompson tall ship in 1985 celebrated 38 years together with friends at the Mangawhai Museum’s Tall Ship, Big Dreams exhibition opening last Thursday. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to tell the R Tucker Thompson story with a five-month-long exhibition hosted by the Mangawhai Museum,” says chief executive Jo Lynch. “The Mangawhai community is a very important and special part of our trust’s history and spirit. Our goal is to acknowledge the collective effort of the local community in building our ship in the early 1980s, the power of having a dream and chasing it, as well as connecting our history to our future. “The museum curators have captured the essence of our story wonderfully, and we invite locals and visitors to see the exhibition this summer. The ship is owned by a not-for-profit trust for the purpose of youth development for

rangatahi from Te Tai Tokerau. Annually, we take approximately 250 taitamariki, from 14 to 18, on seven-day voyages on the tall ship.” It includes young people from Mangawhai, all the way to the Far North. “Key measurable outcomes, as tracked by Otago University researchers, include improved self-confidence, improved ability to build relationships, better understanding of their own strengths, strengthening of personal identity and self-esteem. Our results are consistently life-changing. “Following the seven-day voyage, we create pathways to education and employment through our partnership programme with local tertiary providers, defence careers, apprenticeship and our very own Maritime New Zealand training

programme. Our kaupapa is funded by surplus from tourism activity, generous patrons, grants and sponsorship. “Raising the profile of the trust, engaging our young people and telling our story are all motivated by our goal to empower all Northland youth to lead rewarding lives. We are grateful to the Mangawhai Museum committee, management and volunteers for making this happen, along with the good people of Mangawhai for our ship.” The exhibition has a sextant and model of the ship along with children’s activities and a photo booth area with a sail and captain’s wheel for people to take away a memory of their visit. “The exhibition opening was very special as we got to hear stories first hand from the people who are directly

connected to the ship,” says incoming museum manager Angela Cook. “To us, at the museum, it is a swan song for our current manager Tom Long and his partner Barbara who managed The Kauri Museum. Our museum board approved the collaboration of the exhibition, with Barbara being back in Canada designing the exhibition and Tom overseeing the installation, which adds a romantic touch before he leaves to join Babara at the end of the month. “The exhibition is open all through summer. There are pamphlets at the museum for any youth interested in going on the R Tucker Thompson youth development voyage. There is sponsorship, so cost doesn’t have to be an issue.” ¢

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Pampering for wellness

THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

OctOber 20 2023

u by Ann van Engelen

Carol Collett and her team of volunteers are preparing for the next Feeling Fab Wellness Day on Monday, November 6, in Mangawhai. “Feeling Fab is a charitable trust and our Wellness Day provides a safe and caring environment for ladies suffering grief, loss or trauma to come and be pampered,” says Carol. “The days are based on the belief that if you look good on the outside, you feel good or at least a lot better on the inside. We know from personal experience that if you have a good hairdo or facial, you feel good.” The Wellness Day volunteers offer things such as hairstyling, make-up, manicures and massages. “We meet our guests at the door as they can often be overwhelmed and in a fragile state and give them the opportunity to leave their blanket of grief at the door. They enjoy a large grazing platter filled with delicious culinary delights while being pampered and find they make new friends who are also on a difficult journey. “It’s very simple with no fuss. They come in and sit around a table together before going off to their beauty stations. Our guests are transformed and end up not wanting to go home because they are enjoying themselves and their new friends — the experience stays with them for a long time. “I became a host after losing my daughter to cancer, who left behind her children. I had moved in to help her, and from diagnosis to her passing was 10 months. A few months after she’d gone, her best friend invited me to a Feeling Fab day. I was very impressed with the experience and how it made

me feel because I didn’t realise I was feeling so bad. “When I moved to Mangawhai, I brought the initiative with me. Some days, we have palliative care ladies come. At one event I was saying goodbye to them at the door, and one guest said she only had three weeks to live, but she had made lots of friends on the day, and they were going out for a glass of wine together. That was so special to me because the ladies all come from different backgrounds. “Our team here in Mangawhai is amazing. We have been together since 2019, and this will be our ninth wellness day. They are wonderful and have huge hearts. We couldn’t do it without them — they understand those grieving need caring for.” Feeling Fab works alongside support groups such as Hospice, palliative care, grandparents raising grandchildren, victim support, baby loss groups, funeral directors and more. “I have hired the Anglican Church lounge in Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai, for the day as a nice central location. We welcome any enquiries about volunteering, attending as a guest or sponsorship of our programme. There is no charge to attend, and all ladies who are suffering illness, grief and trauma are able to put their names forward to attend. Contact Carol Collett on 022 600 9545 or email carolcollett@xtra.co.nz for more information. ¢

p Carol Collett is hosting her next Feeling Fab Wellness Day on November 6

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A montage of summer colour u by Liz Clark

With a dry summer heading our way, choosing a heat-loving perennial to bring colour to the garden while being drought-resistant is a tough call — try achilleas. Technically, its common name is yarrow, a reminder of the weed growing on the roadside or in the paddocks with the rest — yet development by horticulturalists has resulted in some stunning cultivars. Traditionally, achilleas have been used for border plants in cottage gardens — they also fit nicely into more contemporary settings. If water is a premium in the summer months, these plants are one of the best options for season-long colour while feeding the beneficial pollinators at the same time. Achilleas aren’t for the

ordered perfect garden — rather, they suit less formal settings in the outdoor living areas. With their feathery foliage and flat-topped flowers, the more they are cut for the flowers — the more they will bloom. If these are for you, spring is the perfect time to get out planting. Plan the garden beds, so they’re in an area that has exposure to all-day sunlight. The other consideration is drainage, which is a must-have since this plant species will fail to thrive in poorly drained areas.

Take time to raise the planting bed well above ground level if dealing with clay. Fork in lots of compost and organic matter, so the achilleas will have a good start once planted. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the pot for best results. Water well after placing it into the soil. Mass planting will provide a striking effect when the blooms emerge. Once the plants are established, prune back old foliage in spring; deadhead spent flowers during the growing season to encourage more

blooms. Achillea can be propagated by dividing the clumps every three to five years, depending on the variety. More prolific bloomers will need replacing after a few years. Seeds can be down in autumn, and the seedlings grown on ready for the following spring. Some varieties to consider are Pastel Fruits, Proa White, Fuerland, Terracotta, Cassis, The Pearl and Flowerburst Red Shades. Talk to your local garden centre professional about what achillea best suits your needs. ¢

THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

Making friends with music

OctOber 20 2023

u by Amy Fifita

Mainly Music Mangawhai has reconvened its programme every Wednesday of the school term at 9–9.30am or 10.15–10.45am with a combined morning tea from 9.30am at 53 Moir Street. “In 2014, my husband Glenn and I moved to Mangawhai. The following year, I took my daughter Janae to a Mainly Music session, and by the end of the year, I was asked to help on the team,” team coordinator Lisinda Oxley says. Lisinda says that she is from Richards Bay, a coastal city in South Africa. She and her husband, Glenn, moved to New Zealand in 2006. “I have always been involved in childbased activities and love being creative and out in nature walking or biking. I enjoy many things about the music programme too. I love watching the children, the excitement on their faces as they enter, the concentration on their faces as they move, their connection with friends and the wonder of learning when exploring new things. “I also adore meeting new people. We are fortunate to have a big team of volunteers, and are like family. We go through the ups and downs of life together, and the team has incredible talents and skills to make it work. “Mums that come along get to meet other mothers, which is good, especially if they are new to the area. Parents with older children can pass on knowledge, experience and what worked for them to new mums.

mainly-music. It costs $3 a session for a family. “We also have a help hub through the church, so anyone who is in need can approach one of our volunteers. Sometimes, we do food parcels and meals or take children for walks while their mums are busy with a newborn. Those are some small ways that we can help.” ¢ THERE IS A FULL TIME PRIVATE CLINIC IN WHANGAREI, RUN BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH PROBLEMS

p Jill Hitchcock, Jenny Higham, Vicky Oxley, Janelle Groenewald, Lisinda Oxley and Gay Carpenter collaborate their efforts to make the sessions fun for parents and children

“The younger ones enjoy the props, song familiarity and moving around. There is heaps of rhythm, and often, as they walk through the doors, they are already dancing and moving around. The older children create friendships that they will carry on to primary school.” Lisinda says another favourite part of the programme is the theme days that the group collaborate to make a success. “During our theme days and special celebrations, our creativity, gifts and talents all come together. It is great to

watch the children have fun and learn in a fun way. “The programme began in 2003 and has been going for 20 years. It was started by CauseWay Church and is still supported and funded by them. We keep our fees low because of the high living costs for families.” Mainly Music is every Wednesday during the school term from 9–9.30am or 10.15–10.45am, with a combined morning tea for both sessions in between. For more information, visit causewaychurch.org.nz/community/

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Travelling time through design u by Andy Bryenton

Antiques used to be ‘from antiquity’, but as time and trends move on, the styles of yesteryear soon gain their own status in the realms of retro. With one of the biggest modern trends in design being to ‘smash up’ two or more aesthetics and eras, it’s good to know where the beautiful things you discover in your travels fit into the broad spectrum of design language. Baroque is perhaps the first true design trend which didn’t come from

the changing of kings and empires. This style is hard to find in its original form in New Zealand, as it dominated the art scene in Europe in the 1600s. Often imitated, baroque design is all about movement, bombast, classical and biblical imagery, and lots of gold. Think of picture frames with cherubs,

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vines and grapes, stately Regency-era furniture and dense, detailed patterns. Colonial and Victorian-era style is what many in New Zealand consider antique as a catch-all term. A blend of practical simplicity and a hearkening back to the aesthetics of Rome are the hallmarks of style in Victoria’s reign. The vastness of the Empire in those times meant that Asian and Indian themes began to spice up the style of Victorian homes, as did influences from our part of the globe. Floral patterns, rich porcelain and well-crafted wood, and rustic homeware items all evoke a colonial Victorian theme. Art Deco and retro-futurism embrace the go-ahead style of the early twentieth century, with an eye on a technological future and reverence for the imposing, imperial monuments of the past. It was all about the glamour of progress and embraced everything from skyscrapers and zeppelins to clothes and jewellery. Art Deco items for the home fit into another, broader trend — retro-futurism. This style celebrates the flights of fantasy which populated post-war design, with the hope of rocket ships and stretched

Cadillacs on the moon. Mid-century Kiwiana is a trend that’s still emerging and defining itself, combining nostalgia with the unique sense of nationhood New Zealand discovered in the later half of the last century. Some things are just classically Kiwi, and there are items of furniture, homewares and even wallpaper patterns which evoke parents’ and grandparents’ houses, holiday baches and visits with friends. Kiwi classics can be appreciated earnestly or with a little ironic humour. Even the style of the 1980s is now legitimately retro enough to be considered highly collectable. Chrome and glass, black and pink, neon and bright plastic are all elements of how the decadent decade looked ahead to a future that never really happened. There’s even a trend for retro technology from this vintage, such as cassette boom boxes or CRT televisions repurposed as aquariums. The golden rule with anything antique or retro is to buy what feels right for you without aiming to speculate. Mix and match eras and styles for effect to create a truly unique space. ¢

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OctOber 20 2023

Taking entertainment outside u by Amy Fifita

As the weather gets warmer, it might be tempting to cook and entertain in the fresh air, so now is the time to plan and create an outdoor kitchen space. Some homeowners go all out by having a weather-durable kitchen installed while others have a versatile and temporary set up. Basic items to consider when making an outside kitchen space are a serving space, cabinets or shelves, chairs, a dining area and a cooker. People fortunate with an outdoor socket will take ease in knowing that they can bring their indoor appliances outside for summer use. They can retreat inside for winter.

Eager pizza eaters can build a pizza oven from concrete, grout, bricks and other materials. The barbecue can be positioned or even built into a suitable place with an entertaining area nearby so family and friends can savour the scent of steak on the grill. The available space will determine how many cooking features can fit. Foodies can delight in watching their favourite foods be made in front of them while chatting with the culinary creator.

Shade and shelter are another consideration. Nobody desires to have their meal rained upon or get a lobsterred hue from sitting in the sun too long. Shade sails and pergola roofs can help protect the family and guests from the weather. For do-it-yourselfers on a tight budget an excellent way is to upcycle or repurpose old furniture pieces. A sanding and coating of paint can make

a difference to aged tables, chairs and cabinets. Ensure the wooden furniture is treated and suitable for outdoor use. An outdoor cooking and entertaining spot can make a backyard feel more welcoming and creates a wonderful retreat to relax and socialise with friends and family. It can help enhance the comfort of a home and allow people to have more use of their property’s potential. ¢

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Hanging up history u by Andy Bryenton

Wallpaper is a versatile way to add pattern, colour and texture to a space, but where did the concept come from? If you think that the idea of using paper to cover the walls of a draughty damp castle or rugged Viking long hall seems odd, you’d be right. Mediaeval Europeans loved colour and design on their walls, but they didn’t have the climate or the weathertightness in buildings to use paper. Instead, tapestries woven from wool and textiles were prized for brightening up a severe stone or wooden dwelling. Some of these are p Wallpaper provides a colourful result and has a colourful history valuable historical sources, as they often depicted famous battles or Chinese empire. Beautiful calligraphy the deeds of saints and kings. bearing wise quotes and poems was The Romans and Greeks used tiles to used to beautify rooms and bless the craft mosaics on their walls or painted house with good fortune. directly onto them. Other wall coverings, A tradition of painting large rice paper right up to the Renaissance, included backdrops for traditional theatre may patterned leather and intricately inlaid also have played a part, but by the time wooden sheets. However, using paper Marco Polo made his journey to the to permanently decorate walls comes east wallpaper was commonplace in from further east. opulent Chinese homes. By the 1600s, The practice of adhering decorated the desire for intricate baroque designs rice paper to interior walls is as old as the on every surface saw the invention Qin Dynasty, famous for the terracotta of modern wallpaper, as we know it, army and the founding of the first in Italy. ¢

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p Aimee dressed in character, inspired by her grandmother Venus waiting for a letter in her video clip Pitt Stop

p Aimee with bassist Navakatoa Tekela-Pule at Te Ārai Beach

A love for song u by Ann van Engelen

With roots in Kaipara, singer-songwriter Aimee Renata, also known as Erny Belle, loves the time she spends with her family at Te Ārai Beach and the local area. Daughter of well-known singer/ songwriter and cinematographer Fred Renata, Aimee has recently been working on her new album Not Your Cupid, which is set to launch on November 10. “Not Your Cupid is my sophomore album,” says Aimee. “My dad’s side of the family is from Maungatūroto. My nana Venus moved there in 1965 and lived in her house at Whaka Street until

“

you’re an emerging artist there is no funding, so I had to produce it with as little cost as possible, and dad’s was a great place to work from.” Aimee named the album in honour of her grandmother Venus. “It’s about moving back home, being in town for a while and deciding to pursue a musical career. For many years prior to the album, I worked in the

and had their other passions on the side, too. To this day, some have helped me with my video clips and things — it was like the two worlds of music and film collided. “The film industry was a good experience. One film I worked on was Whina — the Dame Whina Cooper story. I loved it because it’s an important part of New Zealand history, and I was able

My dad Fred is a musician and is very well-known in the film industry for his cinematography

she passed away in 2020. I have always considered the area my home and spent a lot of time with my nana growing up, and still spend a lot of time there. “My dad Fred is a musician and is very well-known in the film industry for his cinematography. He is very passionate about making music in his studio at home. That’s where I recorded my first album, Venus Is Home, in 2019. When

film industry costume department, and that’s how I funded my first album — working very long hours. I also worked as a legal assistant for a couple of years. “Working in the film industry was quite addictive because there is a lot of adrenalin from working at a very fast pace and under pressure because everything is always urgent. I met lots of nice people — they were all creative

”

to meet some of her family members and stayed in Panguru in the Far North. There were special moments like seeing the church her dad built. Now that I’m no longer in the film industry, I’m still trying to rewire my brain to relax more. “I grew up with music in my life. Over the years, dad constantly encouraged music in our family and was always playing guitar. He brought me my first

THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER October 20 2023

p With roots in Kaipara, Aimee appreciates being able to reminisce of days gone by with her grandmother Venus

p Firing Cupid’s arrow was a time of concentration for Aimee

p Local actor Terry Donaldson as the post person delivering much-awaited news in the Pitt Stop video clip

“

It’s nice when I have my songs finalised. When I finish one project, I find I’m already getting ideas and looking at the next songs to write

guitar when I was around 10 years old, but I didn’t show much interest until I was 17 and started playing drums with my dad and a family friend in a band. “I realised that to write songs, I needed to learn the basics of playing guitar and then decided to pursue music when I was around 19, but a career felt like a far away goal. As life went on, the desire didn’t leave me, and I slowly worked on writing material and experimenting with styles, trying to figure myself out. It’s been a long journey to get to where I am. “Around six years ago, I began preparing for my Venus Is Home album. It’s an alternative country, gothic, folk and Pacific-inspired pop album, and it has a definite Kaipara sound with a quiet landscape feel. “When I was young, my nana and I would often spend time together picking oysters and going fishing. Nana and I used to drink Country medium cask wine and eat lots of home-cooked food together, such as boil-up, fried bread and

”

sponge cakes with cream made by her neighbours the Ross’s. My family has a boatshed at Batley peninsula, and it’s still a very special place to us. “Nana passed away in 2020 just before I finished the last part to complete Venus is Home, so she sadly never got to hear it. I shot a lot of the album at Te Ārai Beach. It is a beautiful place.” Aimee says her latest album, Not Your Cupid, has a very refreshing style to it. “For me, it’s a bit lighter, with some songs inspired by 60s pop. In one video clip for the song Pitt Stop, I have local actor Terri Donaldson in it as a postie delivering a letter with news I am waiting for. The whole letter/postie inspiration comes from the 60s era. “I come up with most of the ideas, but for this video, my sister Philippa came up with the idea of it being about a letter being delivered. All the nostalgia is linked to Nana Venus and going back into a time period of her being at home doing the dishes, waiting for news from

the postie. In my video clip for Not your Cupid, we used one of the Leabourne buses from the area, which my aunty Lisa Renata drove as she does the school runs. It was so much fun doing the video with my dad helping. “I get my inspiration for my songs from things I feel nostalgic about, including the people in my life and the various places I consider to be home. To me, songwriting is a necessity of life. It’s therapeutic and a way for me to sum up pieces of history or a part of my life that I want to encapsulate for years to come. “I tour with my music and will be playing in Wellington and Auckland. When I sing, it feels different to when I’m songwriting, it’s like a spell-like state of performance, and I get to go into another world. I’ll be at the Laneway Festival at Western Springs Stadium, but hope to do a bigger tour next year. “It’s nice when I have my songs finalised. When I finish one project, I find I’m already getting ideas and looking

at the next songs to write. I’m always on a mission, and when one mission is accomplished, the next begins, but I do think it’s important to make sure there is time set aside to celebrate the work I’ve done. “The Pitt Stop video will be released this Thursday on all streaming platforms, and the Not Your Cupid album release is on November 10 through Flying Nun Records. You can order vinyl or CDs. “For the future, I plan to continue singing and songwriting. I’m keen to see how people relate to Not My Cupid, and once I see how this album goes, I know I’ll inevitably be making more music. “I’m looking forward to summer and spending time with my family at Te Ārai and Forestry Beach. This is a special area to me because of the people that live here. I like that the pace is slower and community-based. People can turn up at your door to visit, and you get to talk about your day and enjoy special times together.” ¢

14 October 20 2023 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

Children show husbandry skills u by Ann van Engelen

The Waipu Primary School agricultural day saw children having fun interacting together through various activities and showing off how well they bonded with their pet along with their animal care skills this week. “Our ag day was held on a weekday for the first time in many moons and what a beautiful day it was,” says principal’s PA Donna Stevens. “The sun was shining, calves were mooing, and parents were happy midnight lamb feeds were almost over. Much-loved pets included calves, lambs,

goats, goldfish, chickens, cats and ducklings. Mr Clip arrived to show us how to shear a sheep, Bounce Mangawhai provided hours of entertainment with its famous Farm Bouncy Castle, and our Year 6 student games were a hit once again. Sun, food and entertainment — what more could we ask for.” ¢

p Lucy from Waipu Primary School took along her calf Milly

p Jax with his pet goat, Lightning Bolt Thunder

p The children enjoyed their time at Smash Alley

p Gabrielle, the lamb, was on-site with her friend Maddy at the Waipu Primary

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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER October 20 2023

PUZZLE TIME

Jumbo crossword ACROSS 1 Peer (5) 4 Accidentally betray one’s intentions (4,3,4,4) 14 Creamy pulp of fruit, vegetables (5) 15 Competitor (5) 16 From corner to corner (10) 17 Collector’s item (5) 19 Young goat (3) 20 Sharpened by rubbing (7) 21 Lie (9) 22 Cloak (6) 25 Enclosing boundary (9) 27 Weak (6) 28 Let out (6) 33 Leak-resistant (10) 35 Small (3) 36 South American country (6) 37 Standard (4) 39 Mongrel (3) 41 Bauble (7) 42 Board (6) 43 Vary (9) 44 S American cudchewer (5) 45 Kitchen room (8) 50 Abbreviation for Maine (2) 51 Keep in good condition (8) 55 Roman country house (5) 58 Percussion instrument (9) 59 Cleric (6) 60 Supervise (7) 61 Sphere (3) 63 Check the flow of (4)

64 Offer for acceptance (6) 65 Statute (3) 66 Thai cartel (anag)(10) 68 Securing wedge in machinery parts (6) 69 The right to enter (6) 71 Carving (9) 76 Bright flashing light (6) 77 Every three months (9) 79 Game thief (7) 81 Boat fore-end (3) 84 Blemish (5) 85 Copy out (10) 86 Spiral (5) 87 Water sprite (5) 88 Out of public view (6,3,6) 89 Split, partly divided (5) DOWN 2 Open savoury tart (6) 3 Separated (5) 5 Flower (4) 6 Inscribe (7) 7 Law-abiding (6) 8 Ravine, in the US (5) 9 Tall post with ribbons (7) 10 Architectural curve (4) 11 Antenna (6) 12 Stopping device (5) 13 Expressionless (7) 14 Share (7) 18 Half of the terrestrial globe (10) 23 Serf (5) 24 Lucerne (7) 26 Everlasting (7) 27 Skin spot (7)

121

29 Dried grape (7) 30 Material (6) 31 Vow (5) 32 Leg bone (6) 34 Stardom (4) 36 Snap (5) 38 Inexperienced (5) 40 Knock semiconscious (4) 45 Genders (5) 46 Glues it (anag)(7) 47 Circuits (4) 48 Rabble-rouser (6) 49 Deck (5) 50 Glass balls (7) 52 Request to attend (10) 53 Small dog (7) 54 Polar covering (3,3) 55 Decision (7) 56 Frown (5) 57 Space inside roof (4) 62 Wobbly dessert (5) 67 Breathe new life into (7) 68 Old rifle (7) 70 Burst (7) 72 Unit of heat (7) 73 On fire (6) 74 Official count (6) 75 Conviction (6) 76 Hindu religious teacher (5) 78 Attain (5) 80 Basket for fish (5) 82 Opposed (4) 83 Competent (4)

Sudoku

Previous crossword solution

ACROSS: 1 Speak, 4 In the land of Nod, 11 Inlet, 14 Unite, 15 Discouraged, 16 Black box, 19 Chuckle, 20 Block, 21 Keep going, 24 Dormitory, 26 Nitwit, 27 Virtue, 31 Suave, 32 Broccoli, 34 Skyscraper, 38 Ongoing, 39 Monaco, 40 Leeway, 41 Oven, 42 Causing, 45 Retaliates, 50 Enlarge, 54 Nibs, 55 Impure, 56 Nicety, 57 Slacken, 60 Crossroads, 61 Enduring, 62 Ready, 65 Credit, 66 Object, 67 Aggravate, 72 Unnatural, 73 Lunar, 74 Villain, 79 Clemency, 80 Firefighter, 81 Vomit, 82 Strut, 83 Slice of the cake, 84 Wedge. DOWN: 2 Poncho, 3 Attic, 5 Nail, 6 Heckler, 7 1 2 7 Launch, 8 Neat, 9 Omelette, 10 Dollop, 1 5 6 11 Incendiary, 12 Lobe, 13 Textile, 17 Plume, 9 3 18 Sprinklers, 22 Stare, 23 Stopover, 2 9 1 5 25 Obvious, 26 Nairobi, 28 Guinea, 9 7 29 Sonata, 30 Escape, 33 Clone, 35 Range, 4 6 8 1 36 Anon, 37 Slat, 42 Cynic, 43 Unbroken, 8 3 5 8 2 44 Gambol, 45 Roundabout, 46 Tied, 47 Longest, 48 Arcade, 49 Enter, 51 Nile, 3 9 5 Previous solution 52 Ancient, 53 Greedy, 58 Assignment, 59 Angry, 63 Negative, 64 Avoid, 65 Choices, 6 9 7 4 1 3 2 8 5 1 3 2 7 8 5 4 6 9 68 Graphic, 69 Sauces, 70 Punish, 71 5 8 4 2 6 9 3 7 1 Siding, 75 Loose, 76 Rear, 77 Beef, 78 Peak. 3 2 6 9 7 1 8 5 4

9 1 3 2 8 1 5 2 8 1 2 3 9 1 3 2 9 8 5 2 9 8 7 1 7 8 5 6 2 5 1 4 HARD

Fill 9 the6grid1 so4that3every 2 7 column, every row and 5 2 4 8 7 6 3 every 3x3 box contains 7 digits 3 81 to99. 1 5 2 the

5 8 98 119 5 3 4 7 2 6 7 4 5 6 2 8 9 1 3 449 56618 83 54 72 61 93 27 4 7 5 6 9 1 8 22 733 1 9 6 5 4 8 2 1solution 3 7 4 8 5 6 9 Previous 8 9 6 5 2 3 4 1 7 3 5 9 1 8 4 6 7 2 1 4 2 3 6 7 9 8 5 6 8 7 All2puzzles 5 ©9The 1Puzzle3Company 4 www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz

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B A S Insert the missing letters E U to complete ten words A the T — five across grid R and five down. I D More than one solution S R W may be possible.

E Previous solution

B R A S S R E C U T A L T E R D I O D E S C R E W

16 OctOber 20 2023 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

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A1homes NEW SHOW HOME NOW OPEN

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