WOOF IS BACK

The fur is set to fly on 7 March at this years Woof! – The Auckland Rainbow Dog Show.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes will be strutting down the catwalk/ dogwalk again, competing in categories like; Best Dressed, Dog & Owner Lookalike, Most Camp, and Most Butch - all in front of a panel of celebrity judges. This years judges will be ‘All Stars’, a bevy of judges from previous years. A first for Woof! as in the past, Woof! has never had the same judge more than once.

Another first this year is the ability for entrants to enter early by scanning a QR code. Early bird entries go in the draw to win a prize from Nutrience Dog Food. Early registration will help speed up proceedings on the day.

The paws hit the dogwalk at 2pm sharp with registrations on the day taking place between 1pm-1.30pm. Winners will be competing for certificates and prizes from Nutrience. Woof! is an event created by the Auckland’s Rainbow Community but is for all Auckland’s dog lovers. Keep an eye out for one of the most popular categories ‘Wee Woofers’... basically the most adorable kids and their furry best friends.

Woof! takes place in lower Western Park near the tennis courts at the end of Beresford Street West. There are refreshments and icecreams for sale so come along early and grab a spot in the shade (feel free to bring your own form of shade to help keep the furry ones cool) and enjoy all the cute K9 capers!

Big thanks to our wonderful sponsors, Nutrience Dog Food and Barkley Manor for helping making Woof! New Zealand’s biggest Rainbow.  PN

www.facebook.com/WoofPride

A GROCERY STORE WITH A LOCAL TWIST IS COMING TO HERNE BAY

Resource consent has been granted for Countdown’s latest Metro store in Herne Bay.

Nestled in the heart of Herne Bay on the corner of Kelmarna Ave and Jervois Rd, the new 1600m2 Metro store will provide an exciting new shopping experience for the local Herne Bay community.

Matt Grainger, Countdown’s Acting GM Property, says Countdown is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring a unique, smaller size supermarket to Herne Bay.

“The area has seen good growth over the last few years, with an increasing number of new apartment buildings and commercial development. We’ve also seen a shift in how our customers are shopping, with many in urban areas moving towards smaller, more frequent shops, and easy-eating/quick to prepare meal options.”

“These changes to the Herne Bay area, and the way customers are now shopping, have been a key influence on the design and range we will be offering with this new Metro store,” says Matt Grainger. While the smaller format store will still have plenty of pantry staples available, there will be a focus on easy eating options including a premium range of products like barista-made coffee, ready-togo meals, fresh-made sandwiches, salads, health-focussed snack options, and take-home dinners.

The store will create 80 new jobs and feature a lower emission refrigeration system, LED lighting, and bike parks.

There will also be convenient undercover parking off Kelmarna Avenue available for customers.

Construction is scheduled to start soon, with the store planned to open in 2022, so customers will be able to see the store come to life throughout the year.  PN

CELEBRATING SIX CENTENARIANS’ BIRTHDAYS IN HERNE BAY

The Little Sisters of the Poor celebrated six centenarians’ birthdays at their home in Tweed Street in Herne Bay late last year. What a great afternoon.

There were bubbles, laughter, family, and friends who enjoyed a delicious spread followed by some entertainment - singalong music followed by a traditional Samoan dance provided by Elena - one of the team. The cake was one of my favourites - a carrot cake and was beautifully cut by 101-year old Sister Marie Fauvel.  PN