The Weekend Lifestyler, September 15th 2023

A pet’s paradise

William and Aprilanne Bonar both grew up overseas and are now proud to call New Zealand home. With a love for dogs, they moved to Takahoa Bay in Kaiwaka, where they began their doggy daycare called Ollie’s Place, in memory of their beloved Cavalier

King Charles Spaniel, who died in Auckland after eating a karaka berry. Situated on the Kaipara Harbour, Aprilanne and William adore the land they are on and love nothing more than spending time with the dogs in their care exploring the property.

Dig, Grade, Roll and Deliver

continued on page 12 …

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u by Amy Fifita

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“I have lived in One Tree Point for six years now,” Mikael said. “I always volunteer at the pony club working bees and race day set-ups and clean-ups.”

“People are looking forward to the summer, and this area swells in with people. I made an initial post on Facebook after seeing a need to have a One Tree Point Beach clean-up to restack the rock seawall.

“Fifteen people have put their hands up to help me, and I am hoping that more people will come. One of the volunteers will be bringing his 4WD to help with

Mikael says that a local has called the Whangārei District Council about the issue and someone was meant to come down to access it, but that was a while ago.

“It is a popular beach for people to take their children because it used to be nice and sandy, and it is flat out to the channel — at low tide, you can stand almost in the harbour channel.

the bigger rocks. Another person with a vehicle will help and if everyone came, it would make a difference — many hands equals short work.

“Some of the rocks are big so we need some strong men to help dig some of them out to restack onto the seawall.

“We have had many horrendous storms within the last year, and the sea wall has taken a battering. It is difficult to walk because of the rocks that have washed off of the seawall. The rocks are jagged, and once they are underwater, you can’t see them. I can imagine someone tripping on one and falling into another one.”

“At high tide, you can go all the way out. When my older grandsons were swimming out there, the water never went above his head, and there are no waves unless there is a storm. It gets really warm because it is shallow.

“Many people would be in peril from these rocks, and I don’t want anything to bad to happen. The beach is used by kite surfers and paddleboarders.

“Joggers and dog walkers enjoy it because they can walk on the flat, and the children love to dig in the sand and find starfish and shells. There is shade from the beautiful pōhutakawa trees that come out of the bank on the large areas of the beach. It is great for families.”

Call Mikael on 027 372 1955 for more details or to offer more help for the beach clean-up project. ¢

One Tree Point resident Mikael Lothian has organised a beach clean-up for the seawall at One Tree Point Beach on Saturday, September 30, at noon.

p The seawall helps deter erosion from the bank where the shade-providing pōhutukawa grow upon

“Joggers and dog walkers enjoy it because they can walk on the flat”

Dance and music bring preschoolers joy

u by Amy Fifita

Rhythm n Riggle coordinator Jo Sarah shared her experience volunteering for musical and dance activities for children.

“I have been in Mangawhai for seven years,” says Jo. “I live out in the country and enjoy the peace and quiet and slowpaced life of being retired. It is a lovely environment to live in.

“My background is varied. I originally worked in an office, and one day, I decided I was sick of doing that, so I started my own gardening business. I did that for 20 years in Auckland before we moved here. Being in the garden is my happy place, and I always kept active by playing sports such as netball, squash and tennis.”

Now Jo volunteers at her local church to encourage under fives to have fun and be active with their parents and caregivers.

“I often get involved to volunteer for community activities, and I am extroverted, which keeps me busy. About six years ago, I started helping with Rhythm n Riggle at my church. They needed someone to run the programme through the computer.

“I work with two main coordinators Maralynne Latu and Margaret Whitaker. Margaret is an ex-school teacher. We have recently trained another girl who can be in my place if I am away.

“The activity is run at my church, and the programme has been running for about a decade. I love interacting with the young children who come to participate. It is like my granny fix because none of my grandchildren are in New Zealand.”

It is a time for singing and dancing for preschool children and lasts about 30 minutes before a catered coffee break.

“We have the little ones from six months until three and a half. It is a great opportunity for young mums to socialise, especially if they are new to the area and don’t know anyone. After the music and the dancing, we bring out some toys and play activities for the children. We also provide fruit, biscuits and hot beverages.

“I love to see them sitting around with a cup of coffee afterwards and chatting amongst themselves and swapping stories about their children and making bonds.”

Parents and caregivers are invited to join in Rhythm n Riggle at the Christ the King Hall, almost opposite the Before Six daycare on Molesworth Drive in Mangawhai. It is on Thursday mornings beginning at 9.30am during school terms. ¢

p Jo says the activity is a great way to create friendships with other mums and get to know new people

Lessons of life and love

u by Amy Fifita

Kaipara Basketball Association development officer Kalem Tana has been accepted to the Fédération Internationale of Basketball Association (FIBA) youth leaders programme.

“I began playing basketball casually from 5–10 years old. It was a pastime,” Kalem said. “Basketball changed my perspective on what sport was.

“From year 7–11, I went to Orewa College but have lived in Mangawhai since 2011. For two years, I travelled to Orewa from here. My parents went to Otamatea High School and wanted me to go there, too, and that is where I fell in love with basketball.

“Growing up, the bigger sports that I played were rugby, touch, tennis and volleyball. They were always competitive. Once I started playing basketball with friends, I realised that sport is about enjoyment, fun, self-learning and

motivation, and basketball is a great vessel to supply that.

“I knew I would pursue a career in sport and recreation, and appreciate that and can transition my knowledge and passion to youth and keep them enjoying sports.”

Kalem says there has been an interest in basketball in the area and that he is continuing to ensure youth have the resources to pursue it.

“It is not just me, though. It comes from massive support from Raymond Cameron, Blake Worsfold, Don Lawson, Josh Port and Cyrena Brunton for their help to get me where I and the community are today.

“For me, basketball has a connection at OHS, and now I am trying to ensure that these next students have the right resources. It has also spread to Rodney College, Dargaville High School and Bream Bay College.

“Giving back to the students provides rewarding factors like seeing them connect to a message or understand a learning or mistake. That is the most important part because the lessons are fluid in other areas of life.

“I am not too worried about how good their skills are. My job isn’t just about being a good basketball coach but being a good life coach, too. If I can create those principles and values, they can

agree or disagree, but if they understand them and take the lessons on board, it will form who they are as people.

“FIBA run the programme to develop more inspiring leaders within basketball. I have been selected out of 17 people in Oceania, and I am lucky to be one of two from New Zealand. The programme has online weekly seminars before practical networking with other leaders worldwide.

“It will develop a broader perspective of why I am delivering basketball opportunities here. The other leaders’ situations will be different, but I can pick up on what is relevant and see how I can apply that here.”

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p Kalem Tana (back, second from left) provides basketball opportunities and life lessons to youth by ensuring they have the leadership and resources to achieve their goals

p Kalem Tana (back, far right) fell in love with basketball after he began at Otamatea High School

Respecting past migrants

u by Ann van Engelen

The Waipu Museum has officially changed its name to the Waipu Scottish Migration Museum with the museum trust board pleased, with the positive feedback they have received.

“Our museum was built in 1953 as a memorial to the original migrants,” says manager Sandra McKay.

“It also houses artefacts and the genealogy pertaining to the migration of almost 1,000 Gaelic-speaking Scots from Nova Scotia in the 1850s. The premises was built in the style of a Highland croft and funded by descendants of the Nova Scotian migration.

“They celebrated their history at a centennial celebration in 1953 when the museum was first opened and given the name The House of Memories. As part of the celebration of 150 years since the Nova Scotian arrival in Waipu, an extension was built in 2003.”

The original Nova Scotians had founded a successful farming and maritime community in Cape Breton following their departures from regions around the Scottish Highlands during the Highland Clearances.

“This community prospered for two years but was struck by the same potato famine that struck Ireland in the late 1840s. The story of their journeys and

the eventual settling in Waipu is told in our museum.

“In 2008, a modern storytelling, world-class exhibition was opened which focussed on telling the story of the migration from Scotland to Nova Scotia and then on to Waipu and other associated settlements.

“The central theme is one of the high levels of cooperation that was part of their Highland culture, which enabled them to survive against challenging odds. At the time of selecting this

theme, the museum board saw that this held important messages for today’s world.

“With the name change, the museum has now reverted to its previous philosophies of remembering the past but publicly honouring today’s volunteers and donors who are so important to its existence.

“The museum gift shop is home to many things Scottish, from the exclusive Glen Appin Collection to tartan scarves and gifts, to name a few. We also stock a great range of toys and treasures, and

encourage visitors to take time to browse our selection of children’s toys.

“We have a wonderful team of volunteers who generously give of their time, knowledge and expertise to ensure the museum continues to operate successfully. There are many varied roles for members of the community to volunteer alongside us.

“Roles include greeting visitors, tour guiding, genealogy research, maintenance and assisting in the gift shop. It is a great opportunity to meet new people, develop new skills and gain knowledge of local history. I have been the manager for about three years and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment.” ¢

SWING INTO SPRING!

“Our museum was built in 1953 as a memorial to the original migrants”

p Barbara Russell and Sandra McIntosh outside the Waipu Scottish Migration Museum

Glorious heat lovers

u by Liz Clark

They’re something many these days feel might be a little too traditional to have in the garden — geraniums still have a place even in contemporary settings.

Technically, they’re not true geraniums. These delightful flowering beauties belong to the genus Pelargonium rather than the true geranium family. Even so, they’re still known as the common geranium and have graced gardens for centuries. Geraniums are so versatile that they can be planted in pots, placed in hanging baskets or grown directly in the garden for a colourful display.

Native to South Africa, these flowering plants come in colours ranging from red, white, pink,

salmon, dark purple and black. Growing up to 30cm high, geraniums are sun lovers, requiring at least six hours of sunlight daily to thrive. However, some shade should be provided if summer temperatures climb above 30 degrees. For planting in hanging baskets or pots, use a good quality potting mix with equal amounts of soil, peat moss and perlite to help them thrive.

Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, but do not leave it until it’s too late and a dead plant is the result. Geraniums in the garden need good drainage, and like other plants,

do not like their roots being constantly immersed in soaking-wet soil. As with potted plants, allow the soil to dry out between watering. For planting in the garden, the plants should be spaced 20–30cm apart; ensure they are watered before removing from the pots. Plant in a raised bed if drainage is an issue. Plant nutrition can be managed with a controlled-release fertiliser tablet or liquid fed weekly to maintain vigour. Planting should be done in spring after the danger of frost has passed.

Where diseases and pests are concerned, rust is the biggest issue

with geraniums — use a commercially available fungicide as needed. Treat for aphids and other pests as needed using either chemical or organic spray to keep them under control. Snails and slugs can be kept at bay with appropriate bait or other alternatives, such as sawdust and coffee grinds but must be replaced regularly.

Deadhead spent flowers as they fade to encourage more blooms. See your local nursery about the availability of geranium cultivars to suit your tastes. ¢

Teeing off for charity

u by Ann van Engelen

The Mangawhai Golf Club has joined 180 other golf clubs across the country to help raise funds for The Cat Walk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, Hope Without Fear and Movember charities this November through The Great New Zealand Tee Off auction.

“The nationwide golfing event will see thousands of Kiwis tee off on Friday, November 24, to help support the three charities,” says club manager Carry Dale.

“Ollie Bradshaw is organising the whole thing to help others who are sick. We are donating four tee-off times for them to auction off because we believe it’s a worthy cause, a great fundraiser and an opportunity to give back to the community.”

Mangawhai Golf Club is just one of many clubs donating to the event from

Northland to Bluff. “We want as many people as possible to bid for the tees. The website is really easy. It’s fantastic knowing that 100 per cent of what you pay for will go to the charities. Members, the general public and corporates will be able to bid for each of the tee times via the online fundraising platform Gala Bid.

“Not only does The Great Tee Off hope to raise money for three great causes, but they also want to provide a platform for people to connect with friends and

family over a game of golf. They want to get people travelling and discovering the great clubs we have all over the country and shine a light on New Zealand as a golfing nation and destination.

“Ollie says New Zealand has the second-most golf courses per capita, second only to Scotland, and he doesn’t think there has been anywhere else in the world where the golfing community has been so generous on a national level.

“Mangawhai Golf Club is proud to be part of The Great New Zealand Tee

Off cause. The Catwalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, Hope Without Fear and Movember are all fantastic charities, and we appreciate the opportunity to be able to support them. We sincerely hope that golfers get behind this great initiative.”

The auction began on September 1 and runs until 8pm on Wednesday, September 27. To register your interest or learn more about The Great New Zealand Tee Off, visit greatnzteeoff.co.nz or follow on Instagram @thegreatnzteeoff. ¢

p Mangawhai Golf Club manager Carry Dale encourages golfers to join in the fun of The Great New Zealand Tee Off auction for charity

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Good advice makes the difference

u by Andy Bryenton

There’s demand for the east coast lifestyle, and summer is on the way; the perfect time to talk to your local real estate professionals about your aims and goals for the new season.

As we enter spring, data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand seems to dovetail nicely with what’s been observed around the council tables of the mid-north. New private plan changes sought in places such as Mangawhai, with discussion on even larger new subdivisions set to come. Coupled with the fact that lifestyle blocks in the north remain more accessible by price point than those anywhere else within a day’s drive of Auckland. The trend is clear: people continue to leave the super city and seek a sea change.

A deeper delve into the figures reveals another morsel of interest for those seeking to sell or resize in the Bream Bay area. While Auckland house prices, and those in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato, those other areas which tempt former city-dwellers, have dropped by between seven and nine per cent during the recent market adjustments, Northland only dipped by 3.9 per cent.

As the warm weather comes around, the east coast comes into its own as a holiday destination. If there’s a rule

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which has held true in all market conditions, it’s that people deeply desire to relocate permanently to the places where they holiday. More capacity coming into places such as One Tree Point and Mangawhai is excellent. Of course, there are those not content to wait for private plan changes and new infrastructure investment, or would prefer to buy a turn-key property that does not require a new build.

For buyers like these, the coming weeks, with Labour Weekend at their

core, are a chance to take a closer look at what’s on offer in the region. If you’re toying with the idea of meeting the market as things begin to move again and as pre-election jitters smooth out, it’s time to talk to your local real estate agency about how best to display your home.

One final piece of advice: the average time it takes for a home to sell right now is 49 days. That means it’s possible to

p From canals with docking facilities like these to rustic baches and lifestyle blocks, the Bream Bay area has a lot to recommend it

sell and buy in the same market and be in your new home by Christmas.

Apet’s paradise

u by Ann van Engelen

Aprilanne and William Bonar both grew up overseas before moving to New Zealand and eventually making Takahoa Bay home, where they look after other people’s dogs at Ollie’s Place.

“William grew up in Ireland and I grew up in Australia,” says Aprilanne.

“William immigrated to Australia, and we met in Melbourne and have six children. We both grew up in suburbia and spent 10 years living in Asia for work. We lived in the middle of Macau, the most densely populated city there.

“When our children left home, we decided to come to New Zealand. I think of myself as conscious, but

Aprilanne and William had the idea of creating a dog-sitting property called Ollie’s Place.

“Oliver is our oldest dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. In 2015, we lost his twin brother Malo to karaka toxicity. When we lost Malo, it wasn’t very well known that karaka berries were toxic to dogs.

Place. We wanted to create a place where people can trust us to provide their dogs with a safe space for play, socialisation and rest in a loving environment.

moving here opened our eyes more to the environment and different ways to do things. William used to travel eight months of the year, and eventually, we decided to pivot and change the direction of our life.

“We decided to find a property where we could spend the next 20 years doing something we enjoy and were really fortunate to find Takahoa Bay in Kaiwaka. We both wish we did this 20 years ago.”

“We started Mako’s Message to spread the word about the danger of the berries. It’s been successful in that vets and the public now proactively watch for cases and treat them, especially during peak fruiting season.

“I still receive calls from heartbroken owners every year and hope, in some way, my experience can help console others and raise awareness.

“Just before Covid, we found our little bach at Takahoa Bay and decided to sell our Auckland property and move in here permanently to start Ollie’s

“We pulled the kitchen out a couple of days before lockdown. Thankfully, our son, who is a sparkie, was here, and we ran around finding things to fashion a makeshift kitchen with the end in mind of what we wanted.

“A few months later, the builders came in and did more work. Our project is still in progress as we continue making our doggie haven. We love it, and being very environmentally conscious and all about sustainability — we can’t believe how lucky we are to be here.”

Aprilanne and William have planted more than 5,000 trees on their land.

“Takahoa Bay has a beautiful covenant and really is what we wanted for our dogs because we fully immerse

“The first thing we do is take them for a walk in the forest so they can sniff”

p Aprilanne with canine friends Scarlett, Maximus and Ollie

them in the environment. At first, coming to a new place is very stressful for a dog because they miss their mum and dad for a start, their bed and environment. We let them be and take their time to settle because that’s important.

“The first thing we do is take them for a walk in the forest so they can sniff, and then we begin introducing them to the other members of the pack. They’re also walked on the beach, and we see a profound effect on their behaviour. They generally calm down and relax within the first 24 hours.

“If you think about human psychology, we’re the same, so we let them guide us with their needs. Takahoa Bay is on Oneriri Road, right on the Kaipara Harbour. It’s one of the most pristine environments in the north with a lot of environmentally-focussed people living here.

“Oneriri Road is special because it used to be big farms and is now full of areas with covenanted bush and harbour access. Being a privately-owned estate, with 50 owners, the community comes

together to savour and preserve what we have.

“We operate in a way that we couldn’t elsewhere. We’re surrounded by sheep and cattle and have a farm manager who practises sustainable farming. He also does the maintenance around the estate, so we get the advantage of living in a full farming environment, and it’s especially beautiful at this time of year with the lambs running around.

“Having had dogs all our lives, we love taking advantage of what we have here. Our market research for Ollie’s Place showed us that a lot of people want a home style of care that focusses on each individual pet.

“We replicated in our business plan what we expect for our dogs, and begin with a questionnaire and then set a plan for each dog. It’s not for everybody, but we find our clients are looking for a niche environment where their dogs get a daily walk and beach or forest play.

“We cater for dietary requirements as a given, not an extra, and that creates a harmonious environment for our packs, keeping in mind that

the dogs are our family. We don’t have kennels — we have inside and outside play environments.

“Our dogs aren’t locked up, and as they’re pack animals and part of the human race, we acknowledge that they interact with us on a human basis. We keep our packs small, and know them all by name, and care for them individually.

“For us, getting the customer experience right is important, and as we learn and develop more, then we can grow our business. Our daycare is openended. We’ve had dogs for a month while people go overseas or a day while their parent goes into hospital.

“If someone is in hospital, the dogs can be very stressed because they feel something isn’t right, so we choose the members of our pack to create comradery with their routines. We also send regular updates to mum and dad while they are in our care.

“We keep their routine and get to know the family because when we take on a dog, we take on their family. It’s important that we understand where

they all fit in and what’s going on so we can factor in the dog’s personal needs when developing their care plan.

“Some people are in and out of hospital often, so we provide pick-up and drop-off service for them. We love taking care of our dogs and have great contacts in the Kaipara who do food and product deliveries for us.

“We certainly don’t do it alone — we’re about relationships and people that we can help locally. We tap into our community and leverage off what’s available because working together has a more meaningful purpose for us.

“I’m now a New Zealand citizen and a proud one to boot. We’re both very grateful that we were given the chance to come here. Our children love it when they visit. We have a working family environment, and all get stuck into building, planting and looking after the dogs.

“We’re passing on what we have learned to our kids and grandchildren, so future generations can continue living sustainably, and there’s no better place than here to do that.” ¢

“It’s important that we understand where they all fit in and what’s going on so we can factor in the dog’s personal needs when developing their care plan”

p The dogs staying at Ollie’s Place enjoy daily walks in the forest or at the beach together

p William and Aprilanne lived in Asia for 10 years prior to moving to New Zealand

p When family visit, everyone is involved in caring for the dogs and the family property

p William and Aprilanne found their property at Takahoa Bay after deciding to find a place where they could create a special lifestyle

A competitive spirit

u by Amy Fifita

Otamatea High School year 10 student Denika Clooney won first place overall at the recent Bay of Islands Beast cross-country event.

“I was born in Auckland and grew up in Howick until I was 13 years old,” Denika said. “Last year, in late January I moved to Waipū to live on a farm. I like it here and being rural gives me an opportunity to work.

“The Beast was five kilometres of intense off-road terrain with steep hills, swamps and a river towards the end. I

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enjoyed the challenging run and had fun, and I did my best not to get my feet stuck and to stay ahead.

“Before I had any running experience, I won my year three cross country through natural talent. The school’s physical education teacher said there was an open day at Pakuranga Athletics Club, so I went and have been running ever since.

“On a good week, I run five to six days a week. That includes easy runs, typically 30–45 minutes, sometimes an hour. I run these at the pace of about five minutes a kilometre. As a part of my training, I have harder sessions that are repetitions and tempos. Lisa Cross is a running role model for me, and I’m lucky she is my coach.

The BOI Beast event is one of many events Denika competes in, and she has aspirations to compete globally.

“Auckland and New Zealand Athletics do the Athletics Grand Prix Series, where you have age grades and represent your club. Every two years, you go up a grade, and the distances vary. It is cross country that is sometimes flat or hilly but not too intense.

“My favourite series is the Auckland Xterra. For two years, I completed the short course of 5 to 10 kilometres and

completed the final race of the midcourse a couple of weekends ago. It is often 10–12km, but the recent one I did was 14km, which is the longest I have done so far.

“This year, I went to the New Zealand Cross Country Secondary Competition in Palmerston North. They take the top 10 seniors to the Australian Cross Country Championships. Next year, I will be able

to do that if I place in the top 10. I would love to do that event and also the World Cross Country Running Championships. If they add cross country to the Olympics, that will be a goal, too.

“I enjoy going to the events, and the community of runners is great. I have goals in the future to represent New Zealand. There are a few people around that I would like to beat.”

p Denika Clooney ran through tough terrain to win first place at the Bay of Island Secondary Schools Beast cross country event

Photo: Teresa Brown

PUZZLE TIME

Jumbo crossword

Sudoku

ACROSS: 1 Maybe, 4 Fallible, 9 Social, 14 Inlet, 15 Dull as ditchwater, 17 Liszt, 18 Air, 19 Careful, 20 Declining, 21 Feared, 24 Ordinance, 25 Prying, 26 Staple, 29 Instigated, 31 Mug, 32 Helmet, 33 Fees, 35 Ore, 37 Chic, 39 Enlivened, 40 Situation, 41 Abets, 42 Deployed, 47 Seesawed, 51 Clout, 55 Perfumery, 56 Avalanche, 58 Plug, 59 Sot, 60 Deli, 61 Stance, 62 Tot, 63 Electorate, 66 Tuxedo, 67 Adagio, 69 Reception, 72 Abates, 73 Sightseer, 75 Minaret, 77 Son, 80 Lingo, 81 As sharp as a needle, 82 Essay, 83 Ashore, 84 Eldorado, 85 Hands.

Fill

DOWN: 2 Adulation, 3 Bulge, 5 Aria, 6 Lectern, 7 Bewilderment, 8 Eaten, 9 Springy, 10 Colt, 11 Aisles, 12 Plead, 13 Startle, 14 Iterate, 16 Skulduggery, 22 Instil, 23 Endless, 24 Optical, 25 Pagoda, 27 Preview, 28 Beetle, 30 Dive, 32 Helen, 34 Synod, 36 Bans, 38 Hoe, 42 Duped, 43 Perplex, 44 Onus, 45 Erects, 46 Loose, 48 Electrician, 49 Aspirin, 50 Emu, 51 Cyanide, 52 Tattoo, 53 Easter Island, 54 Mate, 57 Creeps, 64 Tunnelled, 65 Ideally, 66 Toaster, 68 Grimace, 70 Creeper, 71 Tennis, 72 Angst, 74 Haste, 76 Arena, 78 Dodo, 79 Used.

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