21 August, 2015
life+style The Weekend Sun 1
Creating positive workspaces Page 2
THE WEEKEND
Bridge residents
Five star garden
Purple Riviera
What’s up Mr G?
Veganuary
2
life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015 19August, January, 2018
Work yourself happy The power of positive psychology
It will also hit your bottom line positively, as evidence shows that companies with happy employees fare better than others. Wendy, who owns the Mount Maunganuibased human resources and employment law company Accord Services, has been working in the field of employment law for more than 20 years. She has also added positive psychology to her services, studying through the University of Melbourne, one of the world’s most influential universities in this field. Located in the newly refurbished area of Central Parade, Accord Services now offers a variety of training workshops for businesses and individuals that combine neuroscience, positive psychology and the science of habits to develop positive mind sets and behaviour for individuals and organisations. Very few people in New Zealand have undertaken post-graduate university study in positive psychology, therefore these workshops are unique and disrupt the traditional and outdated approaches to employee engagement and human flourishing. “If you can build a happy workforce, you can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and decrease health and safety incidents,” says Wendy. “In turn, it has a significant impact on physical health, success at work, interpersonal relationships and enjoyment of life. “Further, recent changes to health and safety legislation requires employers to be pro-active in creating positive workplaces and in fostering employees’ psychological wellbeing and resilience. “Nothing is more powerful than a committed, powerful team working towards a common goal.”
Photos: Bruce Barnard
If you are an employer and you want to leave a legacy that will impact future generations, then local businesswoman Wendy Macphail urges you to create a workplace that fosters employees’ well-being and happiness.
“If you can build a happy workforce, you can increase productivity”
Wendy says in addition to the benefits of positive psychology for organisations, accumulating scientific evidence affirms that certain intentional positive interventions are not only effective in increasing and sustaining happiness, but they are also used to reduce depression and anxiety. “I can show companies how to lift the base level of happiness of individuals by up to 40 per cent,” she says. “This is completely possible, and many local firms are recognising the benefits of investing in workplace relationships.” Wendy also runs workshops for individuals that have heard about her work. These are limited to a maximum of six participants and are generally held over a weekend. “The start of a new year is the perfect
time to learn about positive psychology interventions, as understanding these interventions fast tracks the achievement of goals,” she adds. Academic research highlights the connection between a person’s psychological wellbeing and their physical health. “Using positive psychology interventions on a daily basis is one of the most transforming things a person can do for their wellbeing.” During the workshops, participants compile their own customised ‘Focus File’ that is then used daily for the following year. It is important each participant has a personalised resource to take home to ensure they keep the positive psychology interventions upmost in their mind, turning these interventions into habits. The results of the workshops speak for
themselves. Participants describe their experience as significantly life changing. Wendy says while we can’t stop bad things happening to those we love, we can show them positive psychology interventions to help them cope in a better way. Wendy has a very active client list, and with her study and law practice, she is keen only to work with clients who are a match. “If you are open and willing to put the work in, this education will dynamically change your life outlook and work culture,” she explains. If you would like to have a free half-hour audit on your business with Wendy, please phone: 027 202 3921 or email: wendy@accordservices.co.nz for an appointment.
19 January, 2018
“Photographers and bird enthusiasts come from all over the country between December and February to get up-close photos of the birds”
Hairini bridge residents
Despite the heavy traffic passing by only metres away, a flock of whitefronted terns has made the bridge into home, settling there a few years ago and raising their young. This is an extraordinary situation, as most colonies are located in coastal spots, quite remote from urban populations. The Tauranga Hairini Bridge colony has the most accessible tern population in New Zealand. The bridge, intended to connect Tauranga with the southern side of the Bay of Plenty, was completed in 1882. At the time it was the largest structure of its kind in the country. The birds nest among the original bridge piling, and also in a specially constructed nest on one of the old abutments. Photographers and bird enthusiasts come from all over the country
between December and February to get up-close photos of the birds, as they are nesting during that time. The eggs can be easily seen, and the young chicks are cute and fluffy. It’s also accessible for walkers and cyclists who stop mid-bridge to check out the progress of the nests and chicks below. The Hairini Bridge has had a population of up to about 50 whitefronted terns, although numbers seem to have dropped down to about 30 this year. And there’s a white-faced heron sitting quietly on top of a pile. The nesting habitat for the terns was reconstructed about five years ago, when the bridge’s wooden piling framing moved in a storm. The reconstruction was considered a success, as the number of birds and nesting pairs increased each year. During the January 2018 storm, the colony was fortunate to be protected somewhat from the high waves causing havoc for cars on the eastern side by the bridge itself. During 2017, one of the fluffy chicks was killed by a rock deliberately thrown from the bridge. There was wide-spread community outrage that anyone would do this. Prior to that, in 2014, the death of three white-fronted terns at the Turret Road bridge site was also considered
to be a result of foul play. At the time it raised concerns amongst bird experts about the future of the birds on the bridge, as entire colonies can be abandoned as a result of such upheavals. The birds overcame that and continued breeding. White-fronted terns are native to New Zealand, and are the most common tern on the NZ coastline. Their conservation status shows a declining population. The name “white-fronted” refers to the “frons” or forehead, where a thin strip of white separates the black cap from the black bill. Once the Maungatapu bypass is completed, the future of the white-fronted terns will remain uncertain as any widening of Turret Road may impact on what is planned for Hairini Bridge. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Photos: Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Our urban white-fronted terns Rattling across the Hairini Bridge, a common sight for drivers is the camerabedecked folk peering over the western side of the bridge at the wooden trestles below. They’re checking out the progress of the young chicks that hatch there each summer.
life+style The Weekend Sun 3
4
19August, January, 2018 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015
Five star garden The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga garden The Elms Te Papa Tauranga has begun 2018 with the outstanding news that the garden has received a prestigious honour. The New Zealand Gardens Trust has registered it as a “Garden of Significance” with a five-star rating.
Rosie Burr and Troy Edgecombe are the grounds custodians
“What makes this achievement so special is the illustrious company with whom we share our rating,” says The Elms Foundation manager Andrew Gregg, “including the Kerikeri and Pompallier Missions, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Olveston Historic Home and Government House in Auckland and Wellington”.
The Elms is one of the oldest New Zealand European gardens south of the Bay of Islands. It was originally created by the Church Missionary Society (CMS), between 1834 and 1844, as were The Treaty House gardens at Waitangi. Both The Elms Te Papa Tauranga and The Treaty House Gardens retain some of the insitu, Maori and European cultivated vegetation with considerable archaeological landscape content. The landscape archaeology is now perhaps the most valuable resource to be preserved for understanding more fully the history of this place. When Te Papa Mission Station first opened, the peninsula was covered with manuka and fern, without trees for beauty, shade or firewood. However, Alfred and Charlotte Brown soon got to work and enjoyed gardening in the favourable Tauranga conditions. Brown’s journal is full of references to gardening: “planting out lettuces, pruning 32 fruit trees, planting out cuttings, sowing peas and beans, preparing and planting raspberry bed, transplanting trees”. Notably, the oak tree at the corner of the north lawn grew from an acorn brought from England by Reverend Brown in 1829. It was originally planted in Paihia and transplanted here as a sapling in 1838. It is the oldest living tree on the property and a significant heritage tree in Tauranga today, as are two Norfolk pines, the Archdeacon’s Sentinels which guided the early sailing ships entering Tauranga Harbour. The Maxwell family continued to tend and develop the gardens in the years that they lived there.
19 January, 2018 21 August, 2015
life+style The Weekend Sun 5
“The trees in this garden have so much history because they’ve been planted by various people who have lived at the prop-
Edith and Alice Maxwell introduced palms and natives to the garden and plantsman Duff Maxwell intended his collection of interesting, unusual and rare plants and trees to be Tauranga’s plant museum. A five-star rating means that the garden is highly recommended for its presentation, design and plant interest throughout the year. It will have a distinctive identity of its own and a character that gives it an edge. It may also have special features that appeal to those with special interests. The New Zealand Gardens Trust has set up a system to assess all gardens and provide visitors with information. Established as a Trust of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture in March 2004, the Trust’s focus is to promote the best in New Zealand gardens and horticulture. Volunteers at The Elms have been running heritage garden tours with Devonshire Tea all year around and these are particularly popular with garden clubs. Nearby, two old houses have been removed from the corner of Chapel Street and Mission Street. “We’re developing a new garden of historical significance there,” says Bev Corbett, who is one of the guides running heritage garden tours. “It is being designed by garden historian John Adam. We are just finalising the design.” Troy Edgecombe and Rosie Burr are the grounds custodians. Troy started at The Elms in April 2017, after working in the Parks team at New Plymouth District Council. “Paula Lambert was here before I started and she
Photos: Rosalie Liddle Crawford
erty over 180 years”
did an amazing amount of work on a shoestring budget,” says Troy. “She was taking up and planting seedlings from what she found.” The original hollyhocks that were planted in the garden came all the way from Buckingham Palace, according to guide Maureen Boyle. “The trees in this garden have so much history,” says Maureen, “because they’ve been planted by various people who have lived at the property over 180 years.” Troy points out the flowerbed next to the coach house. “Edith and Alice Maxwell used to grow a lot of violets and other flowers,” says Troy.
“They’d take them in to the market to sell to help with the war effort. Eventually we’re going to look at developing a Soldiers’ Garden here to acknowledge this part of our history.” The gardening team plan two or three projects for the Chapel lawn during 2018. “We’re going to be putting in some more brick edging around the western boundary garden,” says Troy, “and creating a garden around the historic kauri that we have on the north side
of the chapel, just to prevent people walking all over the roots.” Now that the Volkner building has been removed from the site, they’re keen to add more colour into the garden and tidy up some of the area around the belfry. Smart phone users can view the NZGT garden database and other basic garden information and park attractions under the free myParx smartphone application. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
6
January, 2018 life+style The Weekend Sun 2119August, 2015
Jacaranda capital of NZ Purple Riviera of the North Tauranga’s jacarandas are simply stunning, with a canopy of Persian blue flowers on the trees and carpeting the ground beneath. Giving Tauranga a ‘Jacaranda January’, this season they started flowering before Christmas. Tauranga city has been divided into 13 character areas based on tree themes, tree types and land use patterns. You’ll find jacarandas (jacaranda mimosaefolia) have been planted in public areas on Cliff Road, Bellevue Road, Cameron Road (between Elizabeth Street and Cornwall Street) and on many private properties. Trees are a collection of living entities that together contribute to a city’s identity, form and well-being. They can help to reduce traffic noise, supply oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, increase property values and provide visual amenity and shade. In 2004, the Tauranga jacaranda flower display was particularly spectacular, resulting in local growers suggesting Tauranga could stake its claim as the Jacaranda capital of New Zealand. A beautiful shade tree, it can be grown in large containers or in the ground, and produces it’s stunning coating of mauve blue flowers during summer. There have been a few dramas around the trees. Some residents find themselves reacting to the flowering. In June 2017, there was a debate over the Pillans Road jacaranda. David and Helen Webster bought the property at 144 Pillans Road, Tauranga in 2016,
moved in - and then wanted Tauranga City Council to cut down the jacaranda tree directly outside the house. However, this particular mature jacaranda directly on the south side of the Webster’s home is a remnant from the original farmhouse and orchard plantings on the street, and pre-dates the area’s urban development. The historical connection was raised at the city council Environment Committee by lawyer Nick Ellsmore, acting for the descendants of the planters of the jacaranda trees in Pillans Point. They weren’t satisfied with the pruning and offered to fell the tree at their cost and replace it with a kauri. Council staff refused the offer because the jacaranda wasn’t disrupting services or the health of residents. It didn’t meet the criteria. Neighbours were polled. A council survey had six neighbours opposed to removing the tree and 18 who had no objection. Lawyer Nick Elsmore, on behalf of Kathryn and Fraser Lellman, argued for the retention of the tree saying the historical context is an important part of the committee’s deliberations. “It’s important in a growing town like Tauranga that we retain our historical connections,” says Nick. He argued against replacing the jacaranda with another tree, saying a new tree won’t replace a 70-year-old one. Tauranga City Council has a planting guide for street trees available on their website.
19 21 January, 2018 August, 2015
“A beautiful shade tree, it can be grown in large containers or in the ground, and produces it’s stunning coating of mauve blue flowers during summer.”
Consideration is given to commonly occurring street tree species, featured trees and powerlines. The guide shows the ‘significant roads’ which are the arterial and collector roads for each area, and the ‘minor roads’ and makes suggestions for the range of tree species that would be most appropriate for those areas. For example, in Otumoetai and Matua, which developed as residential areas in the 1970s and 1980s, there are reasonably wide berms with overhead power lines on one or both sides of the roads. The preferred trees there are Japanese maples, silver birches, Yoshino cherry trees and jacarandas. My favourite mention of Tauranga’s jacarandas dates from 1937, when Joyce West wrote in the September issue of the NZ Railways Magazine how she found Tauranga to be ‘The Riviera of the North’. “Tauranga is colourful,” writes Joyce. “Perhaps that is the first impression which the casual visitor gains. Its beauty is far removed from half-tones and pastel shades and mistiness. “The harbour is sapphire and emerald, shoaling to amethyst; the hills behind are cut in a clear blue silhouette. The green and white and orange launches lie at anchor; triangles of sail drift like white butterflies against the blue. The gardens of Herries Park, by the railway, along the waterfront, blaze in masses of blue and gold and scarlet. “The greens run the whole gamut of the colour card from pines and palms to the delicate brightfulness of English elms and aspens. “The early settlers of Tauranga must have been
prodigal planters of trees. There are giant Norfolk pines, and four-square oaks, elms and aspens, and avenues of walnuts. At Christmas, the pohutukawa glows warm and red, and then the Australian scarlet gum flaunts its scarlet banners. “Here, in season, the jacaranda breaks into blossom as blue as heaven; there are pink and white oleanders, and the blood-red blooms of the hybiscus, and the bougainvillia spreading its purple cloak like careless royalty. In autumn the exotics are suddenly bronze and gold and russet, and the persimmon hangs its fairy apples upon its leafless limbs. Winter is the season of the flaming poinsettia, and the orange trees glow with golden globes like Christmas trees decked Rosalie Liddle Crawford out too early.”
life+style The Weekend Sun 7
8
January, 2018 life+style The Weekend Sun 2119August, 2015
What’s up Mr G? Cliffs, islands and water tanks Graham Hoete, aka Mr G, was busy before and after Christmas painting a mural on the back wall of the Mount Maunganui cinema. Again. Specialising in photorealism with spray paint, he’d previously painted his father there. Now he was painting highly respected Tauranga Moana leader Teawanui Black, who passed away a year ago. Visible from Pitau Road, it’s just around the corner from a dotterel painting by good friends Charles and Janine Williams, who introduced him to the genre. As part of the Street Prints Mauao festival, Graham was one of 18 street artists that had come together to paint over four days with the theme “It’s people, it’s people, it’s people”. At the end of the festival, Mr G hosted the artists overnight at his family home on Motiti Island. It’s been a busy year of painting. “I don’t know exactly how many murals I’ve done this year,” says Graham, who lives with wife Millie in Papamoa. “I’ve done a truckload of artwork this last year, not just murals, but canvases and commission pieces.” “I’ve got some other projects that I can’t disclose at the moment,” he divulges modestly, “but they’re really cool, right up my alley.” He’s fully booked for the next couple of years. “I’m really just choosing projects that align true
Barrier Reef Pools
New Zealand
Pools Plus is turning 10 - Have a gift on us!!!
Pick your Barrier Reef Pool at 120 Whakakake Street, Tauriko
www.poolsplus.co.nz
PH: 0508 794 666
with what I’m about and my values. “Projects that I enjoy taking on.” His focus is New Zealand. After completing some high profile murals in the USA, he’s returned to his roots. “Sometimes Kiwi artists don’t get noticed until they do something overseas,” says Graham. “It’s a bit of a shame that we have to do that to get noticed. This year I turned down quite a few international gigs so I could focus on my NZ projects here. We’ve got the best right here in NZ.” He also believes NZ has the best locations for his personal book project, which will feature 100 murals throughout the country. “They are huge, like one on a cliff face in Te Awamutu,” says Graham. “The book project is all about painting pieces that are in remote, obscure locations that have a real nice backdrop, like an old homestead building, or an old barn or shed. “No one will see it unless you purposely go out and hunt these buildings that I’ve painted.” Mr G has completed 11 of these murals, with only 89 to go, but has many locations already secured. “It’s an adventure, it’s no time urgency on it right now.” To paint on a cliff face, he first went and spoke with the iwi in the surrounding area and drew a face or image that was significant to that area. “For the Te Awamutu cliff face, I first approached the local iwi. I told the kaumatua I was wanting to paint one of the ancestors on this cliff face. “I didn’t want to disturb the cliff face or rock, but keep the image very minimal. I just wanted the rock
19 January, 2018
“I’m using my art to pay tribute to people that no one has ever heard of. People that are inspiring”
texture to shine through the actual piece with the least amount of strokes as possible, but still make out that it’s a face.” Remote, on private land, painted while abseiling the cliff, it’s one of his more iconic pieces. To view it, permission is needed from the farmer. Only another 89 to go. Just chipping away at his goal. Destination tourism for visitors to NZ who may want to go see all of these 100 places. One of them is in the Chatham Islands. “It’s so remote. All alone, just me, the paint and the water tank, out there in the wild Chatham Islands,” says Graham. “It’s a really cool adventure. It’s not just about painting a face, it’s about telling a story.” He painted Bruce Tuanui on the Chatham Island water tank. Bruce and Liz Tuanui own private land there which includes Sweetwater, a 2.4 hectare forest protected by an 800 metre predator-proof fence. The couple covenanted the land for taiko (magenta petrel) conservation in 2004. The Chatham Islands taiko is one of the world’s rarest seabird species, with only 14 known breeding pairs in the predator-free environment in Sweetwater Conservation Covenant. “That’s what my book is going to be about,” says Graham. “Just telling kiwi stories, not celebrities, just people that are unsung heroes. “And in really stunning remote locations. “For me, I always try and use my art to honour people. I think the whole thing of honouring people is a rare thing these days, especially in the context of street art. So I’m using my art to pay tribute to people that no one has ever heard of.
“People that are inspiring - not just painting famous people, but people who have overcome adversity or done something great in their life for others.” Mr G was brought up on Motiti Island for half of his life, and his father before him. His Mum originates from Matakana Island. “I’m from both islands, I’m Tauranga Moana through and through,” he smiles. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
life+style The Weekend Sun 9
10
January, 2018 life+style The Weekend Sun 2119August, 2015
Berry Smoothie 1/2 cup frozen blueberries 1/2 cup frozen boysenberries 1 cup ice cubes 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed 1 tablespoon of chia seeds (first soak the chia seeds in 1 cup water for 3-4 minutes) Simply add frozen berries and ice cubes to a blender and blend on low. Add the ground flaxseed and chia seeds. Blend some more on low, scraping down the sides until you have ‘soft serve’ consistency. You can serve the smoothie in a glass or a bowl. The fun part about smoothies in a bowl is the toppings. You can keep it simple and add a spoonful each of coconut flakes and chia seeds for added nutrients, fibre, and protein. Fruit makes a pretty addition but isn’t necessary since it is made with fruit. Black currants can also be used in the smoothie.
19 2018 21January, August, 2015
life+style The Weekend Sun 11
How not to die Going nuts in a veganissimo way Late December I kept receiving text messages from a friend saying: “Hey, how about you write about Veganuary?”
“But we’re all going to die,” I said. “Well this is how not to die so young,” she replied. “Can’t we all just become Christians?” I replied, “then we can live forever.” I was now at risk of offending care workers, Vegans, women growing moustaches and Christians. I wondered how I could possibly fit in going Vegan for a month when I was fairly busy. “You just go vegetarian but cut out dairy,” said another friend. “Brilliant!” I replied, forgetting feta is dairy. I opened the recipe books and immersed myself. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Photos: Bruce Barnard/Tracy Hardy
Finding a free moment I messaged back: “What’s that?” She replied: “It’s like Movember, but it’s about being vegan in January.” I looked at the salad in front of me, pulled mostly out of my garden, and kept writing. I had already set myself to a New Year ‘theme’, rather than a resolution, of maintaining a healthy diet. A day later, more encouraging messages. I thought I better text back: “Okay, sounds good.” Immediately a stream of great information started coming through Facebook Messenger. I gave it a quick glance before heading out the door. Later a message: “So, are you still going to call in and pick up this falafel and hummus I made you? I’m still waiting here.” I rushed around. There was also tofu from a local Korean shop and some very colourful recipe books. Awesome! I popped the food in the fridge and the books on my desk. The next morning, back from the
beach, I looked at the contents of the fridge and tried to remember the instructions. In the end I scooped some falafel out and mixed it up with rice and some salad. It tasted nice. Later I realised I was meant to fry it in hot oil first. I needed time to figure out what I could or couldn’t eat. I was feeling stressed. It was looking far easier to do Movember and grow a moustache in November. I was in that female age bracket after all. I tried to explain it to my friend. “It’s easier to make incremental changes each day, like keeping four bottles of filtered water in my fridge and making sure I drink them every day. I don’t have to think about anything except filling them up,” I said. “It’s like we’re all on the spectrum of being healthier and gradually moving along that spectrum.” I realised I had lifted the ‘we’re all on the spectrum’ from a recent explanation from someone about people with autism. I was aghast. Definitely not the best analogy and a fast way to offend my dear friends who care for people. My vegan friend gave me a book on how not to die, by Dr Michael Greger.
life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015
1
2
7
3 4
6
1
2
3
Storage Stunner Upgrade to a Drawer Base
4
Only available on Queen and larger sizes, Low Profile Drawer Base Sanctuary, After Dark, Design Mobel beds.
Only available on Queen and larger sizes; Sanctuary, After Dark, Chiropractic, Chiropractic HD & Design Mobel beds.
Headboard Bonanza
Sleep Supersize
Upgrade to a Sleepyhead Headboard
5
BEDDING GROUP
Value up to $1000
Only available on Queen or larger sizes Sanctuary, After Dark, Chiropractic HD & Design Mobel beds.
Only available on Queen or larger sizes, includes mattress only, Sanctuary, After Dark, Chiropractic HD & Design Mobel beds.
Pamper Pack
Prize Protection
Free Mattress & Pillow Protector, Pillows and Duvet
6
Free Sleepyhead Tencel Mattress & Pillow Protector Pack
Value up to $729
Value up to $220
x2 Pillows of your choice, Sleepyhead Tencel Mattress & Pillow Protector Pack, Revive Memory Micro Fibre Duvet 300gsm, only available on Queen and larger sizes Sanctuary, After Dark, Chiropractic HD and Design Mobel beds.
Available on all bed sizes, Chiropractic HD Balmoral & Sandringham beds only.
Double Up Deal Buy a California King and get any two deals
VISIT US ONLINE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL STORE WWW.BEDSRUS.CO.NZ STORE NAME BEDS R US Address Details Ph: 00 123 4567
PROUD TO BE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Upgrade to the next size up
Value up to $1,199
Only available on California King size bed purchases, Sanctuary Hera, Iris, Aphrodite, Asteria & Athena beds.
INDEPENDENT
10% off Sleep Easy prices Value up to $1,099
Value up to $1,928
LARGEST
Price Plunge
Value up to $449
7
NEW ZEALAND’S
5
12
Offer valid 1/1/18 to 28/1/18 or while stocks last. 1 offer per bed purchase. Offers not available online. Add ons and upgrades may be delivered separately. Bed is defined as a mattress and standard base set. Excludes Everyday Dream prices and clearance stock. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. *No payments and no interest for 24 months until January 2020 (“Payment Holiday”) is available on Flexi Payment Plans for in-store purchases only from 1/1/18 to 28/1/18. Minimum spend $500. Annual Account Fee of $50 applies. New Cardholder fee - $55 Establishment. Existing Cardholder fee - $35 Advance. Standard Interest Rate, currently 25.99% p.a or 22.95% p.a (depending on your card) applies to any outstanding balance at end of Payment Holiday. Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. Rate and fees correct as at date of publication, subject to change. Visit bedsrus.co.nz for more information.
24 MONTHS
ZERO PAYMENTS + ZERO INTEREST * *MINIMUM SPEND $500. INSTORE ONLY. OFFER ENDS 28 JANUARY 2018.