The Weekend Lifestyler, October 28th, 2022

Hakaru

Newspapers help youth

u by Ann van Engelen

Dave Bell of the Waipū Lions is calling for old newspapers for the club to raise funds to give youth opportunities on the Spirit of Adventure and R Tucker Thompson voyages.

“I am collecting newspapers that people have finished reading to join with Orewa Lions, who take the product to a company called Erosion Control for shredding and adding grass seed to,” says Dave.

These need to be newsprint only, glossy paper cannot be used.

“Erosion Control mix the shredded newspaper with seeds and a sticking agent to make a product that is sprayed onto new cuts on the roadside. It is this green-coloured product that you often see on the roadside banks along State Highway One.

“They use it in places like new subdivisions and roadways to prevent the exposed clay from washing away in the rain. The newspaper is absorbent and helps to retain moisture, giving the seeds a chance to germinate.

“Erosion Control pays $5 for every 15kg of newspapers, and we use the funds to sponsor youth on the Spirit of New Zealand and R Tucker Thompson voyages. I have an arrangement with the Orewa Lions to have the proceeds from newspapers collected by us to come back to the Bream Bay area.

“We already subsidise several local young people each year on the 10-day voyages and hope to be able to help more to have the experience. We have

seen participants gain discipline as they learn that they have to live and work with other people onboard the vessels.

“They can’t be a loner. They have to be a part of a group and help with the cooking and meal preparation, keep the boat clean and learn sailing skills. They go up the rigging and gain a lot of confidence.

“Waipū Primary School has agreed to be a collection point for papers, and I am hoping other schools will be able to come on board as well. It is very exciting for us because presently 90 per cent of newsprint goes to the rubbish tip, and this is a very environmentally friendly solution.”

Dave would like people to collect their newspapers in banana boxes, which equate to approximately 15kg, making it more practical for him to collect and deliver.

“Neighbours and friends can join together to make it a quicker process, and I can arrange collection, if necessary, for reasonable amounts. Only newsprint can be used, so glossy inserts need to be removed as they cannot be used.”

Boxes of newspapers can be delivered to Waipū Primary School or Dave at 13 Inverness Lane, Waipū or call him on 09 432 0861.

“Baking is a wonderful way to foster children’s sense of belonging as they make familiar connections between their home environment and the

Sarah O Regan Team Leader

p Dave Bell is seeking people to donate old newspapers to help the Waipū Lions send youth on the Spirit of New Zealand and R Tucker Thompson sea voyages

“The newspaper is absorbent and helps to retain moisture”

Friends of Hakaru

u by Ann van Engelen

The Hakaru Hall committee is inviting community members to join the Friends of Hakaru Hall to help raise funds to keep the building maintained.

“The hall will be 100 years old in 2026, and we are currently doing ongoing maintenance and improvements to keep the building in good condition,” says committee secretary Delwyn Lusty.

“Located on Settlement Road, Kaiwaka, opposite the RSA on a small domain of about three acres, the block has been home to the local pony club for around 45 years as well. It is a wellloved site, and in recent times, the hall has become a popular venue for community use.

“We hope to have it all spic and span for the upcoming 100-year birthday celebrations, and we love that it’s our community asset. It has a beautiful wooden floor, with a nice high roof on the oldest part. There is a little stage, and

we are currently adding a porch, lobby and new entrance area with storage for the tables and chairs. We are levelling the entrance so people with mobility issues will have easier access.

“The hall has a lovely feel about it, and people are often surprised when they walk in as it has real character which cannot be seen from the outside. We would love to give it a spruce up and paint inside and out too.”

Currently, the hall is used for weddings, the annual Zonta Ball, line dancing, pilates, children’s chess club and various other groups use it for art, music or dance practice.

“The committee is determined to have our special building hall well maintained for now and future generations, so we

have come up with the idea of having the Friends of Hakaru Hall yearly membership. This is only $25 per family per year to join. It will provide an income stream to maintain and continue making improvements to the facilities and help us prepare it for the upcoming centennial.”

To join Friends of Hakaru hall, deposit $25 to ASB 12-3094-0157618-00 with your family name in the reference or by contacting the committee through messenger on the Hakaru Hall Facebook page.

“Karen Bennett now takes bookings for the hall, and she is doing a fabulous job. We are grateful for the support we have had so far, and in particular, the funding received from

the recent Mangawhai Opportunity Factory grants. Last weekend we had a music night fundraiser and it was a great evening.

“Our annual general meeting is set for 7.30pm on Tuesday, November 1 at the hall. We would love to see community members come along and join us, and we welcome new committee members as well.” ¢

p Hakaru Hall committee members Karen Bennett, Delwyn and David Lusty, and Rodger Bennett with Zavier and Taylor-Grace Biggs at the hall

p

Hakaru Hall committee

Providing children necessities

u by Ann van Engelen

“We help the one in five children experiencing

by providing food, jackets, shoes, and health products to 877 low-decile schools and 177 early childhood centres across New Zealand,” says CEO and founder Julie Chapman.

“With these basics, children can participate in learning and have the opportunity for a better future. Teachers say students are suffering as their families’ food budgets shrink, with an increasing number arriving at school hungry, cold, and miserable.

“As schools return for term four, the focus for many teachers won’t be teaching but feeding children who have survived the holidays on limited food. KidsCan has seen a sharp rise in demand, with schools ordering food for more than 10,000 more children a day than at the start of the year.”

each week. They were also helping more families access food banks. Parents are having to decide between bills and basic essentials for their children, even with both parents working.

“One teacher reported a child telling her, ‘Dad was crying last night because he said it’s his job to feed us kids, but he doesn’t get enough money, and everything is so expensive.’ Children are worried about family money and their parents’ wellbeing.

“Teachers said some students were surviving on food provided at school”

KidsCan surveyed its partner schools on the impact of the rising cost of living, with more than five hundred responses.

“Teachers said some students were surviving on food provided at school, with cupboards at home empty by the end of

“Some students are living in grim conditions, with increasing overcrowding as families couldn’t afford both rent and enough food. Sadly, this is not unusual, the teacher wrote. Petrol costs were affecting attendance, with one school picking up sixty children every day. High schools reported reduced attendance as senior students worked part-time to support their families or left altogether.

“Several schools said they had seen a drop in the number of students able to participate in sport. School camp letters didn’t make it home if students thought their parents couldn’t afford it.”

In 2021 KidsCan supplies included one million hot meals, 67,000 jackets, 31,000 pairs of shoes and 6,200 emergency food parcels for families. A further 39 schools are waiting for help, with most applying since April as costs rose.

“We are bringing in more food to meet the increased demand from our partner

schools while also working to reach those children on our waitlist. With our costs rising, and a drop in people able to donate every month, we need more help from individuals and businesses too. Too much of the burden is falling on overwhelmed teachers, and they need all the support we can give them.”

To donate visit kidscan.org.nz. ¢

p KidsCan CEO Julie Chapman with KidsCan’s newly appointed ambassador Verity Brogden

The perfect team

u by Ann van Engelen

Singer Steve Coppard and his fiance, Miluska Matches, moved from the Hibiscus Coast to Mangawhai eight weeks ago for a better lifestyle.

“Miluska and I spent 37 years each in the corporate world, and it was time for us to downsize our property and enjoy life together more,” says Steve.

Steve is also a singer who performs a three-hour acoustic tribute show of timeless classics from 1968 to today. His repertoire includes well-known artists Ed Sheeran, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Crowded House, John Mayer, Rod Stewart, The Eagles and many more.

“I got into singing when I was at school. My mother was the church organist and wanted to try guitar but gave up after two weeks. I inherited the guitar, and mum gave me her Beatles guitar and song

books, and I taught myself to play and sing in my bedroom for a year.

“I remember going to a friend’s house at intermediate school and listening to David Bowie records. My friend would play drums on cupboard boxes, and I’d run around with my dad’s banjo.

“For high school, I attended Mt Albert Grammar School and was the top student in third form art and music, inheriting my talents from my parents. When the group Kiss appeared on the music show Ready to Roll, I was awestruck and studied the music and joined a band at 17. We played at various venues, including the infamous Westward Ho

Tavern in Auckland. Fast forward, and during the first Covid lockdown, I found myself locked in the house, so began learning acoustic guitar and set myself a challenge to learn one song a day.

“I built up a repertoire and walked into the Coast Bar in Orewa and asked if I could do a gig, and he said yes, and the crowd loved it.”

Steve then secured gigs at the Puhoi Tavern and was then booked to play at several private functions. The couple is also currently establishing a new lasercutting business with giftware and art.

“Our business will be open next month, and we will be selling our

giftware and artwork through retailers, at markets and online.

“Since moving here, I got myself into the Mangawhai Tavern and the Mangawhai Club over summer and the Wood Street Pizzeria on Sunday afternoons. It is very exciting and busy, and Miluska and I are loving being here.

“We are the perfect team and now have enough to get by and have a good life. It is all about lifestyle, not things, and we are excited for the future and to work for ourselves. People can contact me at stevecoppard.com for further information and to see my playlist and live videos.” ¢

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p Steve performs at all manner of events such as private functions, sports nights and markets

p Steve and his fiance Miluska are loving setting up a new life in Mangawhai

Fall of delicate petals

u by Liz Clark

During spring the display of a flowering Japanese cherry blossom tree can bring colour and life to the awakening garden.

Cultivated in Japan for centuries, flowering cherry refers to members of the Prunus family and their cultivars. With more than 300 species and cultivars of varying heights and flowering forms, the choice of tree is up to the individual taste.

Choose the height and width of your tree to fit into the garden space. Flowering cherry trees can also be grown in large containers to form a focal point in a courtyard garden. Depending on the species, flowering occurs from late winter to late spring. Blossom colouration mainly varies from pure white to dark pink; there are also varieties with yellow and green blossoms.

The trees have four flowering types, including single, semi-double, double and chrysanthemum forms. Single flowers have five petals and occasionally up to three extra ones. Semi-double types sport between 10–20 petals, whilst the double form boasts up to a maximum of 50. The chrysanthemum forms have up to 300 densely packed petals on one flower.

Blossoms can be oval, egg-shaped or round with wrinkled, frilled or wavy margins. Select a

tree that appeals visually and fits in with the garden design.

The best time to obtain a tree is during the winter months. At that time of year, Prunus species are dormant and can be safely planted. It will also give the tree a chance to establish its root system before the growth period kicks in during spring. Your cherry tree will require a sheltered spot with good quality free-draining soil.

Prepare the planting area by digging a square hole twice the width and depth of the planting bag. Place a good layer of sheep pellets in the base of the hole, then cover it with compost. Add in potting mix or good topsoil and mix with the compost. Set the tree on top, then fill the rest of the hole with soil and firm it down. Avoid disturbing the tree’s roots when taking it out of the pot. Ensure it is staked to prevent it from blowing over in strong winds.

Keep your cherry tree mulched and regularly watered during the summer months, and add a monthly dressing of blood and bone to keep up the nutrient supply. Look online for cultivar forms or visit your local garden centre. ¢

Free COVID antiviral medicines are available

Free

Benefits of antiviral medicines

Antiviral

Who can get antiviral medicines

Eligible people include:

• Māori or Pacific people aged 50 years or older

• everyone aged 65 years and older

• anyone aged 50 years or older who has had less than two COVID vaccinations

• anyone with a severely weakened immune system, Down syndrome, sickle cell anaemia, or were previously in critical or high dependency hospital care from COVID.

• anyone with three or more high-risk medical conditions.

the

of high-risk medical conditions,

When to get antiviral medications

To get the COVID antiviral medicines, all of these must apply:

• you have COVID, or you are a household contact and have symptoms

• your symptoms started within the last 5 days

• you are eligible for the medicine.

Your doctor, nurse, hauora provider, or local pharmacy can tell you if you are eligible and may provide you with a prescription. If your local pharmacy does not prescribe antiviral medicine, they can put you in touch with a pharmacy that does.

How to get antiviral medications

If you have COVID you must isolate for 7 days. You can arrange to have medicines delivered by friends or whānau. If needed, pharmacies that provide COVID antiviral medicine can have them delivered to you, for free.

Free RATs

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and you do not need to have COVID to get them.

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MyCovidRecord.health.nz, or call 0800 222 478

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good oil

Nestled in the foothills of the Brynderwyns, on the outskirts of Mangawhai Heads, sits the picturesque olive grove, Olives on the Hill, owned by Chris and Linda Smith.

They didn’t know much about olive growing when they purchased the grove, embarking on the adventure with a steep learning curve ahead of them.

Since that day, they have settled into the Mangawhai community, learning much about olive growing and extra virgin olive oil production. They have made some fairly major changes to the trees too. The chainsaw pruning, they thought was very

drastic, is now an annual necessity. They are working on a plan to bring the height of the trees down to a manageable size whilst still maintaining production levels.

It’s vital olives are pressed within 24 hours of harvesting; otherwise, the oil will start to deteriorate and will not be classed as extra virgin. All Olives on the Hill oils are certified as extra virgin by Olives NZ, the national olive growers and producers association.

Buyers should look for the red sticker on any oil advertised as extra virgin to be assured of its authenticity.

They also create some delicious infused olive oils. Using their extra virgin olive oil as a base, they have garlic-infused olive oil with a robust flavour profile and a vibrant lemon-infused olive oil for those summer salads and fish dishes. Their oils can be used for all manner of cooking — it’s all down to your own personal taste.

“We make chocolate brownies with our oil, served with a nice dollop of vanilla or

chocolate ice cream and a generous pour of extra virgin olive oil on top,” says Linda.

You can find Chris every Saturday morning at the Mangawhai Tavern Market,

where you can taste the Olives on the Hill olive oil. Get in touch through the website or Facebook page to visit the grove and taste the delicious olive oils. ¢

p Linda and Chris Smith, owners of Olives on the Hill

Beauty by design

u by Ann van Engelen

Debbie and Gary Page-Wood moved to Mangawhai last June with their cat Lucy, bringing Debbie’s jewellery, nail and make-up businesses Rambling Rose with them.

“We immigrated to New Zealand from South Africa in 2013 for a better quality of life and have been excited about the opportunities available to us here,” says Debbie.

“Gary was born in Zimbabwe before his parents moved to South Africa, and I was born in a little town called Pietermaritzburg. The crime rate and

I made was for my sister’s wedding because she had a burnt orange colour scheme and couldn’t find anything in her colours, so I offered to make something for her.

close due to Covid and had a month of no income, so I made jewellery because I still had my tools. I realised I still enjoyed it and had a few sales.

quality of life were deteriorating in South Africa, and we needed out.

“New Zealand is completely different from South Africa — it is hard to describe. Here, we can walk out on the street and don’t need security fences around our property. Gary is a software developer, and I am a nail technician and makeup artist. I recently turned my jewellerymaking hobby into a business during the Covid situation.

“I began making jewellery for family and friends as a hobby. The first set

“At the time, I was working as a property manager with a big industrial portfolio and attended a make-up and photoshoot with a friend one day. The make-up artist gave us a lesson and suggested I do a make-up artist course because she loved how my make-up came up in the photos.

“I completed a make-up course parttime, and once I qualified, I resigned from real estate and began working as a make-up artist and then we immigrated. It was hard to secure work in Auckland, so I considered other things I could do.

“I like nails, so I then did nail technician training and opened a nail and make-up salon. In 2020, I had to

“Due to the lockdowns, people were losing jobs, and naturally, when your income decreases, you need to cut luxury items like manicures. It is so sad because so many businesses didn’t survive the lockdowns. The salon closed, and I decided to sell my jewellery, and that helped get us through financially.”

Greg and Debbie moved to Mangawhai because Greg loves surfing.

“We were travelling here most weekends from Whangaparāoa to surf. I work from home, and Greg can work remotely, and it was taking us more than an hour to get to any surf beaches, so we decided to move here because we love it.

“They walk away feeling good about themselves, and that is what I love, making others feel good”

p Debbie Page-Wood created Rambling Rose to cover all three of her businesses — nails, make-up and jewellery

“Mangawhai is a great community. We arrived not knowing anyone or where to find things, but everyone we have met has been super friendly. When I’d pop to the shop or service station to ask something someone would always help me.

“I am now back doing make-up and nails and call my Rambling Rose because I feel like I have ‘rambled’ with moving and the name covers all three businesses — make-up, nails and jewellery.

“When I do someone’s make-up, I love the feeling when my client gets out of the chair and looks in the mirror and says, wow. They often turn to me and say, ‘thank you, look at me’. They walk away feeling good about themselves, and that is what I love, making others feel good.

“I love to rehabilitate natural nails. Most people tend to neglect them and don’t realise how much abuse they take and that it is important to have the cuticles pushed back. Manicures and pedicures keep them healthy and

if someone’s nails are split, breaking or chipped, I have a product to help repair the damage and strengthen them.

“Putting a gel polish over the top of the treatment gives the nails an extra protective layer, and that gives strength and nail growth, which is ideal. I also offer a gel-on extension service to add length for special occasions.

“I prefer the gel to acrylic because it is more flexible and suits most people and it lasts approximately three weeks.”

Debbie also makes keepsake beads, necklaces, bracelets, serviette holders, tealight candle holders and coasters.

“Making jewellery is a way for me to unwind. When I am concentrating on the jewellery, I can switch off and not think about whatever else is going on in my world, and someone else gets to enjoy something pretty.

“I can make beads and jewellery with nearly anything you can imagine inside to represent all sorts of things. The keepsake beads are made with resin, and I include things like sand from a special beach, a small shell, something

that is from someone special or hair from a horse.

“I made myself a bead with a whisker from my ginger cat when it passed away so I can carry a piece of him with me. I pick daisies and dry them for a few weeks and use them in earrings and pendants. At present, I have a set made with nigella and bunny tail flowers from the beach. One has an image of a couple with love written on one side, and another has a brother and sister image to represent a family.

“The beads fit on all standardsized snake chain bracelets and make great gifts for all ages, for birthdays, anniversaries or remembrances. My website is ramblingrose.co.nz and my Instagram pages are @ramblingrosenails and @ramblingrosebeads.

“I plan to release a new range of resin jewellery and other items closer to Christmas, which will include bracelets with inclusions of flowers, foil transfers and keepsakes, as well as rings, serviette holders, tealight candle holders and resin coasters.

“I also make cancer survivor beads and necklaces. These can be made in any colour to represent the relevant cancer ribbon per type of cancer and can be ordered with the ribbon diagram only as a memorial keepsake for someone who lost their fight with cancer.

“I donate $5 from the sale of each cancer-themed item to the Cancer Society, along with an additional donation from myself.

“Ultimately, I am pleased that my make-up, nails and jewellery bring smiles to people’s faces. The confidence I see clients gain as they walk out the door is what makes me happy.

“When I get to create keepsake jewellery for people, especially when it is to remind them of someone who has passed away, I know it is a lifelong treasure and can be handed down through the generations, and that makes my creations extra special.

“If I can brighten someone’s day, then I know I have done my job properly. I am just a girl who likes to make other people feel awesome.”

“Ultimately, I am pleased that my make-up, nails and jewellery bring smiles to people’s faces. The confidence I see clients gain as they walk out the door is what makes me happy”

p Debbie has a wide range of jewellery available and enjoys the creativity of nail art as well helping people with make-up

p Debbie and Gary moved to Mangawhai with their cat Lucy to be closer to the surf

p Rambling Rose jewellery is made by hand, with Debbie creating the various resin beads, earrings and pendants herself

Tertiary scholarship applications open

u by Ann van Engelen

Applications for Northland Regional Council’s Tū i te ora Scholarships have opened for 2022, with this year’s recipients set to receive paid work experience and financial assistance for the first time since the scholarships launched four years ago.

The NRC is awarding six scholarships, each including $4,000 to assist with study costs, plus a paid full-time work experience with NRC from mid-November 2023 to mid-February 2024.

“Council hopes the new structure will help strengthen connections between recipients and NRC and provide more value for both parties,” says NRC’s pou mana whakahaere — general manager

of Governance and Engagement, Auriole Ruka.

“We know that students really value getting a foot in the door and gaining hands-on experience during their studies. We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity that not only financially supports students but hopefully encourages them to return to council once they have completed their

studies to enrich the region and its people with their knowledge and skills.

“Council made the decision to provide fewer scholarships of higher value to account for the rise in living costs, which have a significant impact on students. We sought feedback from previous recipients to help guide our decision-making.

“This is the fourth year council is awarding the scholarships, which recognise, encourage and support students to undertake study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions, whilst contributing to council’s vision ‘Our Northland — together we thrive’.”

The council’s environmental and regulatory functions include biodiversity, biosecurity, climate change, environmental planning and policy.

“The scholarships have a specific aim to build Māori capacity within Te Tai Tokerau, with three of the six scholarships earmarked for Māori who whakapapa to Te Tai Tokerau.”

Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who live

in Northland or have family that does or whakapapa to Te Tai Tokerau.

“They must also be enrolled or have an intention to enrol in a recognised tertiary course of study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions and be studying at an undergraduate or higher qualification level. Applicants must be enrolled or intend to enrol for semester one of 2023.”

Full eligibility criteria and application form, are available from scholarships. nrc.govt.nz. All applications/supporting documentation must be submitted online by Friday, November 18, 2022. ¢

p Auriole Ruka, Northland Regional Council’s pou mana whakahaere — general manager of Governance and Engagement

ACROSS: 1 Utter, 4 Pearls of wisdom, 11 Notch, 14 Broad, 15 Premonition, 16 Odometer, 19 Partial, 20 Dread, 21 Garnished, 24 Impounded, 26 Peeled, 27 Alerts, 31 Birth, 32 Panorama, 34 Determined, 38 Gosling, 39 Attire, 40 Artist, 41 Plan, 42 Goddess, 45 Confounded, 50 Strides, 54 Obey, 55 Corned, 56 Ticket, 57 Maestro, 60 Membership, 61 Assassin, 62 Alien, 65 Cancel, 66 Healed, 67 Affecting, 72 Librarian, 73 Weird, 74 Prolong, 79 Stowaway, 80 Accumulated, 81 Stage, 82 Story, 83 As fit as a fiddle, 84 Essay.

DOWN: 2 Tartan, 3 Exact, 5 Earl, 6 Remorse, 7 Sandal, 8 Fate, 9 Isolated, 10 Modest, 11 Nom de plume, 12 Tutu, 13 Hardens, 17 Major, 18 Undefeated, 22 Sneak, 23 Wrinkled, 25 Mottled, 26 Plateau, 28 Kimono, 29 Tariff, 30 Census, 33 Outdo, 35 Dunes, 36 Ends, 37 Wand, 42 Groom, 43 Dreaming, 44 Spouse, 45 Centimetre, 46 Nude, 47 Outward, 48 Nicest, 49 Evens, 51 Teak, 52 Insulin, 53 Earned, 58 Hereditary, 59 Tired, 63 Clear-cut, 64 Stern, 65 Chassis, 68 Forward, 69 Armada, 70 Rebuff, 71 Enigma, 75 Lotus, 76 Solo, 77 Suds, 78 Well.

20 YEARS

ALL THE

Over the

BEEN PROUDLY BUILDING KIWI HOMES FOR

STUFF FROM RIGHT HERE IN GOOD OL’

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Show home:

Open: Mon-Fri 8.30am-4pm

10am-2pm

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