The Weekend Sun - 25 March 2022

25 March 2022, Issue 1102

INSIDE WEEKLY FIND YOUR PERFECT PROPERTY

B AY O F P L E N T Y

Behind a Serbian lens A Serbian by birth, Tauranga film director and screenwriter Luka Tomić (pictured) is one of many filmmakers turning the Bay of Plenty into a top film destination.

Utilising locally-sourced and talented actors and crew from the Apex Academy of Performing Arts, Luka has been directing the filming of ‘The Book of Vesna’, a cult folk horror. This feature film weaves the

atmosphere of Serbian mythology around fame-hungry kids, an idealistic commune, a group of dangerous revolutionaries and an unstable family man.

To learn more, turn to pages 6-7. Photo: John Borren.

Friday 25 March 2022 1 The Strand, PO Box 240, Tauranga Phone 07 578 0030 www.theweekendsun.co.nz ads@thesun.co.nz newsroom@thesun.co.nz

you gain over 3x the coverage in 1 publication = 1 cost

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The Weekend Sun is published every Friday distributed throughout the Western Bay of Plenty from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke and available to collect at many stand locations throughout the area. For a full NEWSPAPER list of stand locations see https://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations Produced by Sun Media Ltd, an independent andAudited locally owned company based at Circulation 1 The Strand, Tauranga. ABC Audited Circulation 31/03/2021.

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Sun Media Ltd Directors: Claire & Brian Rogers General Manager: Jay Burston Editorial: Letitia Atkinson, Alisha Evans, Rosalie Liddle Crawford, Jordan Boyd, Taylor Rice. Photography: John Borren. Publications Manager: Kathy Sellars. Advertising: Jo Delicata, Karlene Sherris, Suzy King, Lois Natta, Sharon Eyres, Ian Evans, Sophie Main, Nadia Glover. Design Studio: Kym Johnson, Kerri Wheeler, Kyra Duffy, Caitlin Burns. Office: Angela Speer, Taylor Lehman.

What a mean-spirited response!

Ukraine’s heroic president Zelenskyy has won worldwide acclaim for his staunch defence of his country.

Turning down an offer of safe passage out of the war zone from the USA and friends, Zelenskyy has vowed to fight to the finish alongside his countrymen against the Russian invaders.

He says the best thing supportive countries can do is supply munitions. His commitment has spawned a worldwide meme supporting Ukraine: “We need ammo, not a ride”.

Even the famous US gunmaker Remington has picked up the call, selling T shirts with the slogan: ‘All profits to aid Ukraine’.

So what has innovative little old NZ done? Our PM, after talking with Zelenskyy and hearing that he needs arms and munitions…she doles out $5 million bucks. Cash is next to useless for Ukraine in its hour of need.

The President clearly said that he needed arms.

NZ apparently has a cache of useful munitions, including the devastatingly effect Javelin missiles that have wreaked havoc on

They are most likely going to sit gathering dust till their expiry date and be wasted.

Not only that, my well-informed defence sources tell me that there are The Weekend Sun Combined Circulation BOP Times other, more modern of NZME 10,162 circulation guided missile 69,062 circulation options available that are more Combined BOP Times, Katikati Advertiser advanced and will be available in about and Te Puke Times circulation is p: 07 578 0030 less than HALF with only 32,138 in total. eight months that e: ads@thesun.co.nz would be perfect replacements.

A New Zealand Defence Force photo of the Javelin And we have missile firing, at about $105,000 a pop. But our cache of such a namby those would be more use to President Zelenskyy than the $5m handout from our PM. pamby approach to confrontations we’re unlikely to ever fire one in anger.

Russian tanks.

We, as a country, took 23 long days to Does NZ give any to turf a bunch of disorganised antivaxxers Ukraine? Ah, no. Just the (or whatever they were supposed to measly cash. A fraction represent), off the Parliament front lawn. of what this government I can’t see Australia or the Chathams has frittered away on any invading us between now and number of wasted causes.

Ardern’s supposed reason Christmas, so there’s not any rush to replace those missiles, plus it makes for playing dog-in-themanger with useful weapons is that it an easy upgrade opportunity for us; if apparently takes three years to get we think we still need tank-destroying new ones. armaments. The tenacious Ukraine So when, exactly, is NZ likely to need fighters are well accustomed to using tank-destroying missiles in the next the Javelin and this would be the perfect three years...or ever, for that matter? way for NZ to help.

It’s ridiculous that the PM could swipe aside a genuine call for arms from a desperate democracy, try to brush it under the mat by waving a bit of cash, like a bogan parent trying to get rid of pestering kids by dishing out the parking meter money so they can go down the corner shop and buy lollies.

Or, ironically, jet planes.

NZ needs to grow a pair and offer meaningful support, urgently, not play stingy politics with loose change.

We have the exact weapons sitting around going mouldy, that are vital to the Ukraine defence effort and the least we could do is give the man the ammo.

That’s what he needs, not a ride – and certainly not the insulting cash.

Thanks for your letters

Lastly, thanks to all of you who made the effort to write Letters to Editor in the last few weeks. We’ve had a barrage of response to Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s decision to delay Local Body Elections for the Tauranga City Council until July 2024. See our Letters pages 10-11 and visit: www.sunlive.co.nz and click the ‘Letters’ tab to find those we couldn’t squeeze in.

You can throw your view into the mix at: letters@thesun.co.nz

Thank you for making my journey so special Many will have heard by now that last week I announced I am retiring from politics and will leave Parliament in the coming weeks.

It’s been my privilege to have been the MP for Tauranga since 2008, a Cabinet Minister and Leader of the National Party. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, but for me, at age 45, it’s time.

I love the National Party and this year I will have been a member for 30 years.

National has momentum heading into the next election and is in the safe hands

of Christopher Luxon.

I’m excited about the future and exploring commercial opportunities, but most importantly, my wife Natalie and children Emlyn, Harry and Jemima are ready to have more family time. My eldest two turned 10 and eight last week, and I want to give them the best of me.

While I’m proud of the various largescale projects I oversaw here and across the country as a cabinet minister, some of

my fondest memories during the past 14 years are of helping many here in Tauranga personally with their specific issues.

Whether that’s been helping families with surrogacy or adoptions, getting a family into housing, or helping individuals get the surgeries and medical treatments they deserve – these local advocacy issues have been very rewarding.

Thank you to the many of you who’ve made my journey so far so special.

3 Years Running Most Trusted

IMPORTANT STUFF: All material is copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Sun Media makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information and accepts no liability for errors or omissions or the subsequent use of information published.

Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy impresses in more than just character - the president also participated in Ukranian ‘Dancing With the Stars’ in 2006 and fans claim he even won the show.

The Weekend Sun

Friday 25 March 2022

3 Covid-19 pop-up testing stations in the Bay of Plenty are suffering from ongoing vandalism and theft.

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Vandalism affecting clinics Covid-19 pop-up testing stations in the Bay of Plenty are suffering from ongoing vandalism and theft, with the latest tagging appearing at The Doctors Bayfair Medical Centre.

Continuing since the start of the pandemic, Green Cross Health regional clinical business manager Wendy Dillon says the latest defacing is about the fourth occasion it has happened.

“The tent at Bayfair has been vandalised multiple times,” says Wendy. “We’ve also had an entire cabin stolen in Welcome Bay, which they put wheels and a towbar on it and dragged it away at about 3am.”

Wendy says the cost to repair damages and remove tagging comes out of their own pocket.

“We have to pay to have the tag removed. We have hired cabins and tents to provide protection for staff and patients during the pandemic. It is soul-destroying to see this senseless vandalism.”

According to Wendy, total losses are mounting up to nearly $30,000. “I just want to highlight that in a really draining time for general practice, acts like these are cutting deep.”

With the surge of Covid-19 in the community, nurses and general practitioners are working tirelessly to help those who are testing for or have

Urban Sofa

caught Covid-19. Wendy is asking anyone who sees any signs of vandalism occurring to report it straight away.

“Most of the vandalism does occur at the Bayfair location. It’s even hard on Tauranga Party Hire; things like this affect them as a business.”

Tauranga Party Hire co-owner Nathan Dolman says the ongoing vandalism has been frustrating.

“More than anything it is so frustrating that it keeps happening repeatedly. There’s a cost to clean it up every time it happens,” says Nathan.

“We had one about six months ago where they tagged the whole marquee, it cost a lot to get that cleaned. Times are tough for a lot of us already, and obviously we’d prefer not to have that cost.”

Nathan has had to send people to clean graffiti about four times since the start of the pandemic.

“We’ve also had swabbing tents at Mount Maunganui Sports Centre targeted as well as the Bayfair location.”

Wendy encourages the community to be aware that this is a challenging time for the medical profession – doctors and nurses are trying their best to look after patients. “We are trying to get to all of our patients at the moment. If we’re not quite answering the phone at this time it is because we have so many calls to make. Tolerance at this time is everything.”

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Friday 25 March 2022

Objections to new property valuation close today The objections period for the 2021 citywide revaluation closes today, Friday, March 25.

Every three years councils must revalue all properties in their localities for rating purposes. Tauranga homeowners received their new valuation notices early-February 2022.

The new capital values reflect what each property

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might have sold for on July 1, 2021, excluding chattels. Independent valuation company Opteon establishes these values using mass appraisal techniques – recent property sales data, resource/building consent data and sample inspections.

If property owners feel their new valuation doesn’t reflect the value

Hon Jan Tinetti Labour List MP

For appointments and assistance please phone: 07 571 2492 jan.tinetti@parliament.govt.nz @jantinetti

Authorised by Hon Jan Tinetti MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

of their property at July 1, 2021, they have until end of today to lodge an objection online at: www.tauranga.govt.nz/ revaluation Opteon reviews all objections and evidence

by June 30, 2022. The new rating values will be used to calculate everyone’s share of rates from July 1, 2022, once Tauranga City Council’s budget for 2022/2023 has been set through the Annual Plan process.

Also, as part of consultation on the draft Annual Plan, opening today, March 25, ratepayers have access to an online calculator which will give an estimate of their rates for next year, based on their new rating valuation and the draft budget for 2022/2023.

Bryce Dineen and Teia Dunster are ready for tomorrow’s event, to get Bryce to the top of Papamoa Hills. Photo: John Borren.

Like many recently, the Papamoa Bulldogs Rugby League & Sports Club has had a rough run. Struggling to recruit players and volunteers to keep the club going, this season they’ve decided to rebuild and reconnect with their local community.

To do this they will physically carry an inspirational local to the top of Papamoa Hills tomorrow to fulfil one of his own personal bucketlist items.

Bryce Dinneen, who at age 29 became tetraplegic from a diving accident but has gone on to help others with his own charity Wish4Fish, will be carried up the hill by Papamoa Bulldogs players.

The idea sprouted from Bryce and veteran Bulldog Teia Dunster’s friendship. Past Alloy Cats foreman, Teia helped build the Wish4Fish boat that helps people with disabilities or mental unwellness get out on the water.

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Bulldogs take Bryce, club and the community higher

Teia and Bryce had talked of going up the Mount or Pap Hills for sunrise New Year’s Day. “It didn’t quite eventuate,” says Teia. “But, getting back into footy pre-season, I thought: ‘Man we could get this guy [Bryce] up here – because that’s one of his goals and tie it with our boys getting some pre-season fitness under their belts’. And bring it together by bringing the community in.”

Tomorrow morning, March 26, Teia is inviting Bulldog players, supporters and the community at large to meet at Papamoa Hills carpark. The operation to carry Bryce to the top starts 10.30am.

A custom-made stretcher will help six Bulldogs carry Bryce at a time “pallbearer-style”. The handles are big enough that we can interchange and swap out – so three on each side and just keep

rotating to give everyone a break on the way up,” says Teia. “There’s a few pit-stops on the way that we’ll take advantage of.”

The event doubles as a fundraiser for the Bulldogs with a Givealittle page to donate towards supporting the club’s growth and survival.

Bryce says his Wish4Fish journey has always been about energy and engagement. “Here’s a local sport club that’s done it really tough, is trying to navigate Covid, which is trying to put some energy and engagement not only back into their team but the wider community.

Givealittle page

“The Givealittle page is called ‘Papamoa Bulldogs Rugby League & Sports Club Inc’. If people can share it with friends, whanau and maybe put a little in the bucket that would be great. For me, it’s about breaking down barriers around access and opportunity, saying: ‘Hey, it can be done with the right support because that’s what I rely on every day of my life – whether I like it or not.”

Papamoa Hills park ranger Mark Ray says tomorrow’s event will be a challenge but is doable.

“There’s a few steep hills and couple of tight spots but I’m sure with enough people they’ll be fine.

“I’ll transport Bryce’s wheelchair to the top so when he gets there he can have a look by driving around independently,” says Mark, who says Bay of Plenty Regional Council is happy for the event to go ahead “because it’s bringing the community together”.

Teia thanks BOPRC, Hayden Schick, Mark Ray, Rachelle Dunster, WEON, and Bulldogs club president Jubert Moeke, committee member Tere Strickland and senior coach Johnny Kelly for making the event happen, plus kaumatua Quinton Bidois for his korero on the park’s cultural history tomorrow. To know more about the club, search ‘PapamoaBulldogsRLSC’ on Facebook. Merle Cave

Thank you TECT for this wonderful award. Thank you to everyone who visits the Festival. We can’t wait to see you all from the 17th - 20th November this year at the 2022 Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival.

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The Weekend Sun

Friday 25 March 2022

5

Who will be our next MP?

Two people have indicated they will put their hands up to be considered by voters for the soon-to-be vacant Tauranga MP seat.

A third person has not officially confirmed their intentions just yet. A by-election will come after Simon Bridges’ officially retires from politics in coming weeks – a move he announced at a Parliament press conference last week.

At 45, Simon says he’s set to explore some commercial opportunities and enjoy having more time for his young family after serving as Tauranga’s MP for the past 14 years.

Since Simon’s announcement, Tauranga City Councillor Andrew Hollis and past by-election candidate Peter Wakeman have confirmed they will stand in the upcoming by-election.

Jan Tinetti, however, has not officially confirmed she will run.

However, nextdoor in the Bay of Plenty electorate, fellow Labour List MP Angie WarrenClark is looking forward to an exciting by-election for Tauranga. Her first thought on hearing Bridges’ announcement was: “Good on him for putting his family first!” “[I’m] really looking forward to an exciting by-election and having Jan Tinetti taking up the seat of the Tauranga electorate.”

The Weekend Sun approached Jan Tinetti, Tauranga’s Labour List MP, to get her view on the by-election.

She wishes Simon all the best with his future endeavours and is “excited about what this means

for the future for Tauranga”.

Many people were caught off-guard by Bridges’ retirement news. This includes Andrew Hollis, who will run for the Tauranga MP seat for the New National Party when the by-election is officially announced.

“My first thought was is he okay? I felt Simon was likely going to stay much longer in the city,” says Andrew.

“I also thought what has happened with respect to the leadership of the party... why would an experienced MP like Bridges decide to leave mid-cycle? It’s expensive and not ideal for the electorate.”

Andrew, who is one of the councillors who was ousted when Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta appointed a Commission to oversee Tauranga Council last year, says one way or another – Tauranga will have an election this year. “Yet again, Tauranga gets to experience democracy.”

When asked why he decided to run, Andrew says he has some spare time on his hands.

“I decided to run when Ms Mahuta freed up two years for me. I decided that I could continue my recent years’ support of people in Tauranga at a central level just as easily as at local level.

“I'm looking forward to the challenge of helping Tauranga people discover a new way to be represented – and not just the usual voting patterns shown historically.”

Peter Wakeman was contacted for comment, but had not responded by the time this article Letitia Atkinson went to print.

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Weaving Serbian myths ‘The Book of Vesna’

What began as an idea of four vignettes for a group of Tauranga’s Apex Academy of Performing Arts’ actors and filmmakers to hone their craft has become ‘The Book of Vesna’, a feature film with a powerful resonance.

The atmospheric cult folk horror is being filmed in locations around Tauranga including an abandoned house in Matapihi, an ex-deputy mayor’s home and a farm in Pyes Pa. Developing a story based on ‘when a powerful book leads to the rise of a dangerous cult, its origins must be explored’ opens up a range of possibilities for the diverse cast and crew who are made up of Kiwis from South Africa, Malaysia, Philippines, Vanuatu, England, Russia, Serbia and Chile. “The development of a logline for the film was not initially part of the creation process but came later,” says director Luka Tomic, who

along with Dhaivat Mehta and Stella Cooke, at first worked on individual stories for three of the vignettes. “I was excited as the essence of the story was Serbian folklore. I find the mythology behind Serbian myths fascinating and I wanted to do stories based on that,” says the Serbian-born, 19-year-old Tauranga resident.

Apex Academy

Luka met Apex Academy director Harry Oram on the set of another film, with Harry quickly recognising Luka’s potential.

“We are so impressed with Luka, he is so talented at a young age,” says Harry.

“We wanted to film something and said to him: ‘These are the resources we have, what story are you able to tell with that?’”

Being able to utilise their diverse range of actors and crew was an important element. “The stories we pick need universal themes for us all to be engaged,” says Harry.

The Weekend Sun

into film

The four vignettes follow the creation of a powerful book – ‘The Book of Vesna’ – that affect people in different ways, changing the world.

Entwined into the creation ‘The Book of Vesna’ are four fame-hungry kids, an idealistic commune, a group of dangerous revolutionaries and an unstable family man. “The plot explores the impact of ‘The Book of Vesna’ which sweeps New Zealand, giving rise to a dangerous cult,” says Harry.

“One of its leaders accepts an invitation to a famous talk show, but her intentions are malevolent.”

Meanwhile the remainder of the Army of Vesna are waiting back at their compound, their future to be determined that very same night.

“The origins of such a powerful book are explored – from who wrote it, to who found it and who published it.”

Luka says the original short films had to feature all the actors in the Apex classes.

“Dhaivat and I love horrors, and as we started writing it we saw that each story was connected and together could be a feature film.

Blending myth

“The criteria of using so many different characters and having a limited range of locations started out as a hindrance but we used it to our advantage,” says Luka.

Blending the myth of Vesna into the story became a core idea, where seemingly nice people can be something else entirely, with the main protagonist becoming the book itself.

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“This story is about media and the way it impacts us. That’s at the core of ‘The Book of Vesna’ – the misinterpretation by a group of people. They see in it what they want to see,” says Luka.

“It’s similar to how opinions and politics are applied to text like the Bible and how people interpret that.”

The concept that powerful ideas can shape and change the world, affecting people’s behaviour in mild or extreme ways, is at the film’s heart.

“There are lots of religious similarities throughout. Within Christianity, there are so many schools of thought, all originally from the same text. Some are great and some are terrible.

“Just because religious symbolism is used in the film doesn’t mean I’m

criticising everyone who has applied their own vision to the Koran, Bible or other texts.” The cast of nearly 20 includes Connor Johnston, Shaun Michael, Janine Westraadt, Harry Oram and Shane Murphy, with an opportunity for extras to be part of the television studio scene.

Boosted campaign

Thanks to generosity and support of Kelvin and Kathryn Clout, Maxine Rogers, Huntaway Horse Trek Farm, Tauranga Boys’ College and others making properties and time available, most filming has been completed with five days remaining. A Boosted campaign to assist with remaining film costs and post production work is at: boosted.org.nz/projects/book-of-vesna

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The Weekend Sun

Stories from the Tauranga library With Tauranga’s city library soon moving from Willow St to a temporary base at He Puna Manawa, The Weekend Sun is running a series looking at the facility’s history – this time from a former library manager.

Library manager Sue Pharo issuing councillor John Cronin his book on the day of the library opening, May 8, 1989.

A waiata group (pictured) started at the library with Mererina Murray and the Māori Women’s Welfare League gifted 19 tukutuku panels which are now part of TCC’s art collection.

What’s Your Property Worth?

Photos: Courtesy of Tauranga City Library Archives.

Sue Pharo was library manager at the Tauranga City Library for nearly 18 years, from 1979 until 1996.

This era was an exciting time to manage the library, as Sue was experiencing the world change around her. “I was told when I became the library manager in 1979 that I would have to bring in a computer.”

This marked a turning point for the library, which was accustomed to using typewriters back then when the facility was housed in an Art Deco style building on Willow St that also had council offices and Tauranga Municipal Electricity Department.

Heavy books

Not only did Sue bring in the first computers, she also saw through setting up of the mobile library. “We used to have this green van that would go and visit people, but we talked to council and they ended up getting a truck. There was so much excitement with the staff choosing how it was going to be painted. We ended up going with a variety of animals from children’s story books.

“The fact that we were able to convert it from an ordinary vehicle into a modified truck was a huge step, and it’s been able to back the mobile library ever since.”

Sue also recalls moving to the new library building at 91 Willow St – which this month closed while it sets up a temporary base at He Puna Manawa – including some complications with the heavy books.

Protest

Friday 25 March 2022

9

“When we moved to the new library the trucks took lots of trips to take all the books over, unloading the stacks. The books were so heavy that one of the trucks ended up with flat tyres.”

When the new library was about to open in 1988, Sue says she received a phone call from

the national newspaper. “It was about 6am and I received a phone call from ‘The NZ Herald’. They asked me if I knew that the new library building had been occupied by protestors.”

The occupation was a land claim protest, and five men had barricaded themselves in with books and furniture, according to the NZ History website.

The five men had lit a small ceremonial fire, which was knocked over during their arrest, setting alight some books and starting a fire on the stairwell. “A large number of books were thrown into the stairwell with meths, paint and wall paste,” says Sue. “We spent a lot of time dealing with the books that had been damaged, and we had a lot of help from the library community.

“Some books were held on a fishing line to dry out. It was tricky because we were managing public response as well as staff. I had to manage people and talk with council. We all started some training on communication with the local iwi too.”

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Phone 0800 RACH 4 U

Waiata group

Sue says the new library had a low-key opening because of the protests, but there was much progress afterwards. “We had set up a waiata group in the library with Mererina Murray, and the Māori Women’s Welfare League gifted the 19 tukutuku panels...and made them with library staff. They are beautiful and are now part of the council’s art collection.”

Sue also recalls the most popular book when she was library manager: ‘The Bone People’ by Keri Hulme, first published in 1984. “It seemed like everyone was trying to get it at one stage; it was hugely popular when it was published.”

Sue says she’s excited about her former workplace getting an upgrade, as she thought the new library built in 1989 would last about 25 years, taking it to 2014.

“I do really believe it is time for Tauranga to upgrade its library.”

Taylor Rice

Rachel Cole Marketing Consultant

Advantage Realty Ltd MREINZ Licensed Agent REAA 2008

M 027 232 1535 | DD 07 542 2550 E rachel.cole@harcourts.co.nz

Friday 25 March 2022

Well...no elected representatives, no rates!

No Taxation without Representation. It’s time to withhold Rates in Tauranga City until we have elected representation.

H Staude, Matua.

Public Notice Summaries of Submissions on Western Bay of Plenty District Plan First Review Proposed Plan Changes 93-94 The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has produced a summaries of all decisions requested by submitters on Proposed Plan Changes 93-94.

Copies of the summaries and the submissions can be viewed at; • Western Bay of Plenty District Council offices at Barkes Corner, Tauranga; • Katikati, Te Puke, Omokoroa and Waihi Beach Library and Service Centres; • Council’s website https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/ districtplanchanges.

Further submissions close at 5pm on Friday 8 April 2022 and can be; • Made online via Council’s website https://www. westernbay.govt.nz/districtplanchanges or • Posted to: Chief Executive Officer, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Private Bag 12803, Tauranga 3143; or • Emailed to: districtplan@westernbay.govt.nz; or • Delivered to the main Council Office at Barkes Corner, Tauranga or one of Council’s service centres at 21 Main Road, Katikati; 28 Western Avenue, Omokoroa; 130 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke or 106 Waihi Beach Road, Waihi Beach.

Further submission forms are available from Council to assist you and can also be downloaded from https://www. westernbay.govt.nz/districtplanchanges The making of further submissions is limited to only those who are representing a relevant aspect of the public interest, or who have an interest greater than that of the general public. Further submissions can only be made to either support or oppose a submission that has already been made.

John Holyoake Chief Executive Officer

Mā tō tātou hapori

For our community

The Weekend Sun

10

About this museum plan….

The Labour Government’s decision to put Commissioners into the Tauranga City Council has caused a lot of hardship for many homeowners and people who rent because of the Government allowing the Commissioners to force upon us a larger rate increases, which people cannot afford.

This is causing problems for shops and businesses and people do not have enough money to buy from them. The increases of mortgage payments, rates increases and increases of power, insurances, phone lines, petrol and transported goods, rents, have now had a serious effect of people not having enough money to spend.

The Commissioners have no understanding of how that effects people. Their plan for a museum in the Tauranga civic precinct will be a waste of money as tourists will not drive there unless the museum is on a tourist main road with free parking. The Gisborne and Opotiki museums are on tourist main roads with free parking and close to shops. Mount Maunganui should have a museum and a three-storey carpark as thousands of tourists go there. Abridged.

H.R. Burrows, Papamoa.

This is not us…

To take away our vote is treachery and high treason. It’s beyond despicable. People gave their lives for this inalienable right.

There is no reasoning that can ever be good enough to justify this.

Kate Sheppard, immortalised on our $10 note, will be turning in her grave. As will all the Kiwi soldiers who laid down their lives for our democratic freedom!

In 1215 King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta upon which English law and subsequently New Zealand law became based. The beginnings of ‘Power to the People’.

Here we have the “thin end of the wedge” hammered home! In Tauranga Moana, a ‘coach and horses’ have been driven through every democratic law and principal upon which our society is founded. This is not us...

T Rutter, Mount Maunaganui.

Commission must go!

Hi, I have never written to a newspaper before, so here goes.

I feel the Commissioners must go from Tauranga City Council, to allow for an election of councillors by the people.

I also feel that the Commissioners views of the proposed three waters, and a museum are not the views of the ratepayers because the Commissioners were appointed by a Labour Government, and will support anything for this Labour Government.

Remember we voted on a museum

a few years ago, and it was a resounding vote to not go ahead, now the Labour Governmentappointed Commissioners have disregarded that result and the museum is back on the agenda.

We need to get rid of the Commissioners and the current government.

S Carr, Papamoa.

We can’t afford the ‘nice wants’

Tauranga, ratepayers, and democracy suffered a major setback on March 11 when, un-announced, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta flew into town for the precise purpose of destroying any vestige of a return to democracy, to preside over a ‘special invite only’ meeting at Tauranga City Council.

This is a totally unethical and underhanded way of treating the people of Tauranga – and in fact could prove to be an illegal act, as there was no pre-warning or consultation apart from the Commissioners casting a few aspersions as to a possible future decision on when Local Body Elections could return to Tauranga.

Of course the Urban Task

Force are ecstatic! Why would they not be? Every day the result of decisions made by the Commissioners for new city works put in place, ratepayers funds channel into the business coffers of Urban Task Force members.

Don’t worry about over-runs and wasted millions on mid-changes of plans…the ratepayer will cover it!

But above all else, any dissent from them immediately goes into the ‘not relevant box’ and is completely disregarded.

We cannot afford any of the ‘nice wants’. Transport, housing and other urgent matters should come first! And above All – democracy!

R Gold, Mount Maunganui.

Thank you - keep the letters coming!

Thanks to all of our readers who have sent in Letters to the Editor in the past few weeks. We’ve had an overwhelming amount of views, opinions and thoughts come in. If you can’t see your letter here, please look on: www.sunlive.co.nz under the ‘Letters’ tab. And keep writing!

If you have a view, opinion, feedback or discussion, please send your Letter to the Editor to: letters@thesun.co.nz or post letters to PO Box 240, Tauranga. Letters should be 200 words maximum and be supplied with a full name and contact details, including address.

Churches Active In Our Community Yes, He is the forever answer BETH - EL la tyb

Messianic Messianic Family Family

ALL WELCOME WELCOME ALL SHALOM SHALOM AM SABBATH 10 10AM SABBATH OTUMOETAI PRIMARY OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

Joel Joel & & Sharon Sharon van van Ameringen Ameringen

02 2 11 7 76 68 8 0 04 43 3 0

info@bethel.org.nz info@bethel.org.nz bethel.org.nz bethel.org.nz

Like me, I am sure there are times when you worry about all the stuff that’s going on in the world. But we shouldn’t be surprised though. These days were seen long ago.

As said in 2 Timothy 3:1-2: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, “But know this, that in the last days times of stress will come” – grievous, violent, difficult – “boasters, proud, disobedient to parents” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)…and the list goes on.

That pretty much sums up the days in which we live. However, those words were written about AD64, by Paul, an early church leader.

What do we make of all this? What is the big

picture? Is there a big picture? Yes, there is. The Master of the Universe has a long-term plan.

What happens in the short term is outweighed by the necessity to prepare for the long term.

By long term I mean…forever.

The long-term plan for everyone, is that we know the Master of the Universe personally because He loves us deeply, and that we would go and live with Him in a place of absolute contrast to the world we now live in. That’s the plan.

Are we ready to face the future? Are we ready for our transition into eternity? All of us will die one day, but are we ready for what comes after?

Because we must choose it.

There is a way to guarantee a future free from these last day stresses and be part of that master plan: it is to believe in Jesus. He is the forever answer.

Stephen Whitwell, C3 City Church, Tauranga.

The Weekend Sun

Have faith people! Ultimate disaster?

Not really!

As a relative newcomer to this city I am quite astounded at the uproar around town that the Commission is being kept in place at Tauranga City Council. Can the residents not remember the fighting, mud-flinging and vitriolic messages that flew between the elected TCC councillors before they were ousted? Their inability to agree on anything but fighting with each other virtually ground council operations to a halt.

Yes the Commission has put up the rates – have you guys looked over the fence at how much our neighbours in the Western BOP pay for rates?

Theirs are steeper than ours. And at least Commission is trying to get our city infrastructure on track – yes it will cost but no matter who makes that decision it will be a big cost.

The other point to make is that is with elections delayed until 2024 hopefully those former councillors will give up the ghost – and we can see some levelheaded, business-savvy, professionals – who want to move this city forward and are not interested in fighting – new blood keen to run when the time comes. Have faith people.

B Smith, Papamoa.

Russia is obliterating Ukraine. Nato might fight Russia. China might invade Taiwan.

North Korean rockets might hit something.

The icecaps are melting. Pacific Islands are sinking and shaking. Australia’s New South Wales is flooded with homes ruined.

Petrol is now $3-plus a litre. There’s 200,000 people in NZ with Covid-19. Our hospitals are overflowing.

We can’t find an effective council to elect in Tauranga and need Commissioners. It costs millions to keep the poor alive.

Now, to top it all, some ratepayers are threatening to withhold the rates on their flash houses.

That must be the ultimate disaster for Tauranga…I don’t think!

Don’t these whingers realise just how lucky they are?

R Goodall, Gate Pa.

Our city’s rent-a-crowd Last week, you may have read the Rogers Rabbits editorial ‘On the edge of extinction’ in The Weekend Sun, March 18 edition, page 2. Rogers writes about Nanaia Mahuta taking your right to vote away and her announcement in front of a carefullyselected audience. He says: “The wise fools amongst us who still think we can save democracy should be asking whether the list of the blessed invited also matches the list of those receiving funds from the city coffers in Tauranga’s Long Term Plan?” Well, surprise, surprise, yes, it does!

You may have heard the phrase ‘rent-a-crowd’.

In the UK, there are companies that provide crowds for events or shop openings to make them look busier. They’ll organise a crowd for a political demonstration or even at a party to make you look more popular than you are – all for a fee, of course. You can earn £40 an hour by simply being part of a crowd.

However, at the Local Government Minister’s announcement of ‘Tauranga City Council’s Commissioners to be appointed beyond 2022’, a number of attendees were paid substantially more than £40 by the ratepayer.

A daily newspaper published quotes from

Friday 25 March 2022

11

so-called community leaders but failed to disclose that two of them are on the Tauranga City Council payroll. Neither did they declare that an ‘environmental advocate’ is chair of a trust that recently received $50,000 from ratepayers. Finally, don't forget Priority One, which receives more than $1 million annually from ratepayers; they had their congratulatory press release ready to go straight after the announcement.

The announcement was made, and the small group of guests were satisfied – back slaps all around. I will forever be amazed at how one small group of Tauranga residents, albeit council beneficiaries, can celebrate the rights of other Tauranga residents being extinguished with such glee.

The influential and powerful in our city have always had their say. A well-worn track up to the council chief executive’s office is a testament to that. However, for the average citizen or the poor couple in Gate Pa, who live week-to-week on a pension – their vote was their only power, the ballot box their only influence. Now that has been taken from them, they’ve been sold out by a handful of their fellow residents.

All this begs the question. Should organisations that don’t want ratepayers to vote be recipients of ratepayer money?

Every little bit counts!

At The Child Cancer Foundation, we just wanted to say a massive ‘thank you’ to SunMedia for featuring our street appeal story across your publications.

We have seen a huge increase in donations since the article went in The Weekend Sun March 11 edition and on Sunlive –

I’m sure these features have played a big part in. It’s great to see that your readers really care about the families we support.

We really appreciate your help and support – every little bit really counts!

H Keown, The Child Cancer Foundation.

Reduce your fuel footprint I address only those motorists that have not reduced their fossil fuel consumption.

Shame on you. You know it is bad like smoking.

Give it up.

Stop consuming fossil fuels. The cost of petrol and diesel has risen to unmanageable

heights. There are too many vehicles on our roads. Buses go empty and you paid for them. The Government won’t help you. You have to do it. Reduce your fuel footprint. Apologies if I have offended someone.

GL Hodgson, Bethlehem.

Friday 25 March 2022

The Weekend Sun

12

Handsome Henry

This beautiful seven-month-old Mastiffcross boy has such a sweet nature and absolutely loves treats. Henry was found wandering the street looking very undernourished and riddled with fleas. He has healed up well here at the shelter and is ready to find a new family to care for him. He has learned to sit in the past and remembers how, with a bit of time and a treat in hand.

Continuing his training will be important to ensure this large puppy becomes a wellmannered large adult. If you would like more information, please give the Tauranga centre a call on: 07 578 0245. Ref: 539511.

What matters

most

Talking about transport Congestion on Tauranga’s major arterial routes has long been an issue, particularly during peak commute times, which is why we have around $1 billion in transport infrastructure investment earmarked in the current 2021-2031 Long-Term Plan.

It’s interesting to note though that our congestion issues have eased quite a lot at the moment, with more people working at home, isolating with Covid or as a close contact, or choosing not to use their cars because of high fuel prices. And what a difference a 10-15 per cent reduction in traffic makes! For example, a trip from Papamoa to the CBD during morning rushhour is now routinely accomplished in around 15 minutes, and I’m getting similar feedback from people across the city.

Those influences will be temporary though – we can expect things to gradually revert back to something like the normal travel pattern, but it does emphasise that we can make a significant change just by thinking about how and when we travel.

Simple options like car-pooling, traveling at off-peak times, using public transport, cycling or walking – if your destination is not too far away – can help take the pressure off our road network and make a big difference to the city’s transport efficiency, not to mention our carbon

emissions footprint. We’re working with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to improve our city bus services and as more people use public transport, more will be invested in service frequency and bus shelters to make this a viable alternative to getting in the car.

Roading funding

In the next month we’ll be consulting with the community on a proposed new way of funding some of our transport infrastructure, as well as infrastructure needed to allow housing development in Tauriko West. From the roading perspective, this would involve raising $200 million towards our transport spending through the Government’s Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act, with repayments financed by a levy across all eligible properties across the city – because everyone will benefit from the improvements provided. The levy cost would be offset by a reduction in the transport targeted rate, but the real benefit to council and ratepayers is this approach would keep the debt off our balance sheet, allowing us to continue investing in other essential projects.

It also reduces the need for rate-funded debt retirement, which brings ratepayer costs down in the short-to-medium term.

Take a look at our proposed LTP Amendment consultation document and let us know if you think this new approach to funding and financing infrastructure is a good idea.

Welcoming the world back to NZ

“For me it is simply meeting the community’s needs.”

Morgan Penny Casita - Greerton Village

Shop with people who genuinely care about what matters most to you.

www.buytauranga.co.nz

I’m sure many of you have heard our borders will soon reopen to tourists – first from Australia, then from elsewhere in the world.

Our economic recovery is gaining momentum, and the return of tourism is the next big step. I know people here and around New Zealand will be looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family; and it’s great news for our local businesses because tourism is incredibly important for our region.

Closing our borders to keep Covid out helped save thousands of lives. Now, we are wellpositioned to safely reopen, giving a boost to our regions as we press on with our recovery.

Bringing the timeline for reopening our borders forward will ensure we are open for the Australian school holidays and the Easter-Anzac break, and well in advance of our 2022 ski season.

Good times ahead!

Our strong Covid response means our businesses are set up to bounce back faster than almost anywhere else in the world. It has also made us a highly desirable travel destination.

To jump-start demand across the Tasman, we’re rolling out a new tourism marketing campaign in Australia, highlighting some of the most popular experiences in our beautiful country.

We know traveller numbers will take time to rebound, but this reopening will be a welcome boost for our tourism operators – many of whom have done it incredibly tough during the past two years. Welcoming tourists back is the next step in our plan reconnecting plan. It will help accelerate our economic recovery, which is already gathering pace. Unemployment is at a record low, exports are up, and GDP is growing. With tourism back up and running our export capacity will also increase, providing a boost to the primary sector and helping to lock in the economic gains we’ve made.

Should we pay, pause or stop the Pukehina Development Rate?

Have your say at our in-person event Pukehina Fishing Club, Saturday 2 April, 10am – 12pm*

Or online before Thursday 21 April *Events subject to Government’s COVID-19 Protection Framework and vaccination restrictions. Check our website or our Facebook page @westernbaycouncil for any event updates or cancellations.

Proudly Associated with

The Weekend Sun

13

We chose Carmel

Come and see why

and meet our family

Friday 25 March 2022 Good Neighbour Trust Supreme Winner 2014 Trustpower Tauranga Community Awards

Friday 25 March 2022

The Weekend Sun

14

A sensible decision and a by-election The decision announced a few weeks ago to extend Tauranga City Council’s Commission is one that will be welcomed by the business community. The decision was made to extend the Commission’s term and return to Local Body Elections in July 2024.

At Priority One we think this is a sensible decision. We support democracy and the path back to elections. We also need to recognise that this city has significant problems that need a strong and speedy hand to fix; and these problems are not solved yet. The problems that led the previous council to be relieved of their duties mainly relate to inability to provide the city with the future plan it needs.

In short, that means increasing investment in infrastructure for housing and transport and investing in facilities for our community.

For democracy to be effective it must be trusted; more time will help progress plans to fix our problems and it will also help to attract quality candidates for the next election. TCC is a big organisation, with around $3 billion in assets and spending

$400-600 million per year looking after a growing city. Strong governance skills and experience are required alongside a great understanding of the community.

Feedback from the business community towards the Commission has been very supportive. They respect action and know our city needs to work hard to reduce the gap in infrastructure and facilities.

Businesses have seen substantial rates rises under the Commission but are supportive because they recognise investment is needed. Good infrastructure

is needed to provide efficient transport systems and for better living standards via housing and facilities. The ability to attract staff is critical, with housing affordability – Tauranga is the least-affordable in NZ – the main detractor. In future we’ll need more nurses, teachers and healthcare workers to support our population as well as our economy; it is essential that we can house them.

One of the topics that frequently comes up around local council is the relationship and input from government.

This is especially the case with the Commission, where the relationship with Wellington is clearly closer and expected to pay dividends. Local rates and investment have increased, we should rightly expect this to be understood and matched by government; we can’t do it all on our own.

Attention therefore turns to an area where we do get to vote this year, in the by-election for Simon Bridges’ now vacant position. This provides voters with an excellent opportunity to support those who understand our community and can support it the best. Lack of government investment in this area, particularly for infrastructure in a fast-growing city, has long been a bugbear for residents.

Is this by-election the chance we need for our community to be listened to?

The Weekend Sun

Friday 25 March 2022

15

New dessert bar takes the cake in city centre!

Adele De’Arth was out with friends enjoying a delicious meal. Along came dessert and they weren’t so excited. From the conversation of what might have been came the spark of an idea for Tauranga’s first dessert bar.

But First Desserts opened just a couple of months ago on Elizabeth St, opposite the new Farmers development in the CBD. “We gave our head chef Kasper full creative freedom to create desserts that people would love and are familiar with, but with a twist to make them exciting and different from anyone else.

“There’s no one else doing what we are doing,” explains entrepreneur and owner Adele.

Offering desserts, sweet treats, coffee, cocktails, wine or beer, the dessert bar is already making waves. “We’re getting amazing feedback from customers and I’m loving seeing some regulars coming back in. It means we are definitely doing something right.”

With options of dine-in or takeaway, and all desserts prepped and made on-site from scratch, there’s some mouth-watering menu items to choose from including Chocolate Lava S’more, Champagne Cheesecake, White Spring Forest and Tropical Rum Baba to name but a few.

“We’re finding some people are

simply popping in on their way home from work, to take a treat home to their family. Others are enjoying the experience of dining in with us. It’s great.”

Open Wednesday to Saturday it seems the motto of the story is make sure you leave room for dessert. See: www.butfirstdessert.co.nz

Delectable desserts are now on offer in Downtown Tauranga.

Not sure of your rights when renting?

Citizens Advice Bureau Tauranga manager Kim Saunders says renting issues are very common enquiries clients ask her team about.

Regular problems they see include questions about rent payments, bond refunds, disputes over damage and inspections, and issues with mouldy, damp housing.

Kim says many problems occur because people don’t know their rights and responsibilities as tenants, or landlords.

“One of the most important things to remember is it’s a legal requirement to have a written tenancy agreement. The agreement is your ‘go-to’ if you have disputes. It sets out the terms you agreed to with your landlord.”

You need to keep a record of changes to the agreement, such as adding or removing any co-tenants.

If you have problems, firstly raise them with your landlord as soon as possible.

“It’s good to put any issues in writing, so you have a record of this communication,” says Kim. “Talking to your landlord – or tenant – promptly can resolve difficulties, but if you can’t reach an agreement, or your landlord doesn’t sort things out within a reasonable time period, you have options.

“A polite follow-up discussion or email can result in action. If not, the tenant can send the landlord a 14-day notice to remedy.”

This letter warns the landlord they have 14 days to fix the problem, or you may go to the Tenancy Tribunal.

If the landlord still doesn’t act, the tenant can apply to the tribunal. It costs around $20.

Lots of information on renting rights is on CAB’s website: www.cab.org.nz “We’re always here to help.

“Just call 07 578 1592 and we can help you work through your options.”

What matters

most

“Is that we love connecting people with stories that can take them on a new journey.”

Scott & Sheree Brown Books A Plenty - Downtown Tauranga

Shop with people who genuinely care about what matters most to you.

www.buytauranga.co.nz

Friday 25 March 2022

The Weekend Sun

16

Breast cancer journey evolves For Dawn, finding out she had breast cancer left her feeling overwhelmed, terrified, and sure she was going to die.

“It was devastating, as it was totally left field. It’s not in my family, I’ve never been a smoker and maintained a healthy lifestyle with regular mammograms – I just didn’t tick all the boxes. I was in total shock.

“I found a lump under my arm and went to my GP. Initially, she thought it was a cyst but after an ultrasound, we found out it was cancer and unfortunately, it had gotten into my lymph nodes.

“Straight away, I was referred to a surgeon, and he gave me the option of either surgery and then chemo and radiation, or chemo and radiation then surgery, but I chose surgery straight away as I just wanted it out of my body.”

Fears

It was her surgeon who put her mind at ease. “I remember when I went to see my surgeon, I walked in there thinking I

was going to die as most of the people that I’d heard about with breast cancer had not survived.

“It was in my head that I didn’t know how long I was going to live for. During the appointment with my surgeon, he explained a lot more to us. He allayed my fears and put me at ease.

“I left thinking that I had a good chance of surviving this.”

Ten days after her diagnosis, Dawn had surgery, and after recovery she started Support worker Ngaire Laker-Metz speaking with Dawn.

Proud supporters of the Breast Cancer Support Service.

chemotherapy for six months followed by 15 rounds of radiation.

“It was all quite intense. The first regime of chemo is really hard, the second one is easier, and radiation is pretty much a breeze. But psychologically, it’s very taxing right from the start, all the way through and beyond.

One special woman

Four years later, Dawn no longer has cancer. She credits her husband, mother, manager, medical team and one special woman for keeping her going along her journey.

That woman is Ngaire Laker-Metz, a support worker for Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust.

“I found out about Breast Cancer Support Services through a referral from my GP. The first phone call I had with Ngaire I really didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to keep my diagnosis very quiet, so I may have been a bit guarded,” says Dawn.

Very comforting

Proud to support our local community.

“After talking to Ngaire and learning that she had been on this journey herself was very comforting.

“I felt an instant bond.

“She became someone that I really relied on as she had been there herself. I always looked forward to her weekly phone call. She was

always there if I ever needed her – whether it was just to ask her questions or her giving me little tips.

“Every time I finished a conversation with Ngaire, I felt stronger and more positive. Often I would reflect on what was said, or I’d try something that she may have tried during her treatment and a lot of the time, these things actually worked.”

Local charity

Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga is a local charity supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer through a range of services.

These include one-on-one support provided by support workers and support buddies, who are volunteers who’ve been through breast cancer themselves. There are support and education groups, counselling, oncology massage, dinner delivery, a lending library, and more.

For support workers like Ngaire, understanding the fears and feelings that come with a breast cancer diagnosis allows them to provide a unique level of support.

They help clients successfully navigate the journey by offering practical and emotional support, hope, encouragement and information. Ngaire says it is a privilege to support women going

...continued

Do it for your

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DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES X-ray Ultrasound Echocardiography Bone densitometry Mammography 3D Breast Tomosynthesis Fluoroscopy CT scanning CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA) MRI scanning

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Our team of specialist consultant radiologists, sonographers and medical imaging technologists are on-site every day. We are committed to providing medical imaging services of a consistently high standard to our community, because this is when your image matters most.

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INTERVENTIONAL SERVICES Image guided biopsy Image guided cortisone injection Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment (PRP) BR_BC_Awareness_A_WSUN_09/21

The Weekend Sun

Friday 25 March 2022

17

to helping others Tauranga residents on a HOT Pink Walk to support the BCSST Trust. Photo: Sean Rundle.

job and I don’t think enough people know that, so I really enjoy giving back to help them survive.”

Ngaire Laker-Metz

Thirty years in WBOP

continued...

through a similar journey to her own.“I still remember how shocked and frightened I was when first diagnosed.

“It’s a really private thing as well; people don’t always want to put it all out there and share everything with everybody. It’s a privilege that somebody lets you walk beside them for a while and hold some space for them when they need it.

Support

“We are a safe space where people can tell you however they’re feeling, have a little cry or have one together, share their fears and their worries.

“I think that’s important because family are fantastic, but you can’t always tell them everything as you don’t want them to worry.”

Ngaire notes that they don’t give medical advice, but they

support people to help them get the information they need to make the decisions that are right for them.

Give back

Wanting to give back to the charity that gave her so much, Dawn now volunteers for Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga.

“Ngaire stayed in contact with me every week for a long time, and then it sort of went out to monthly, and even now, we still touch base from time to time. Because I had so much support from Breast Cancer Support and Ngaire in particular, I wanted to give something back,” says Dawn.

“I’ve made knitted knockers, I’ve done baking, knitted beanies, cushions – I am happy to support them in any way. They do such an amazing

Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga’s service manager Helen Alice says the charity provides practical support at a time when energy and money is challenged.

“But the most important thing we hear over and over again is having someone who regularly checks in with you – clients feel cared about and listened to.

“We’re celebrating 30 years in the Western Bay of Plenty providing support this year – that is thousands of women’s lives impacted. We’re not sure what that celebration will look like at the moment given Covid, but we are sure to do something special to mark the occasion. We have a 30th-anniversary t-shirt we are selling, which can be purchased on our website.”

Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga has been supported by TECT funding

of more than $280,000 since 2004. Recently, a $35,000 grant was approved to go towards operating costs.

Helen says support is crucially important. “Most of our expenses go directly to clients, wages, and keeping the building going. We rely on grants like TECT for our existence and it’s the support of this community that also keeps us in existence, as we don’t get government or DHB funding.

Humbled

“The last couple of years have been really tough, having so many fundraising activities cancelled. Without TECT’s grant, which is one of the largest we get, it would put us under huge pressure.

“We are so humbled by the fact that the work we do is valued, and we really appreciate the fact it is recognised. Breast cancer is by far the largest in terms of the prevalence of cancers in women by a country mile, so that recognition is just so humbling.”

To learn more about the service, visit: www.breastcancerbop.org.nz

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, IT S TIME TO CHOOSE

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, IT S TIME TO CHOOSE

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Fulfill your dream by updating your skills After 15 years, Kamal Yadav was able to fulfill his dream as a PLC programmer, but he says this would not have been possible without the help of Skills Update.

Kamal enrolled in one of the many courses Skills Update offers in 2021 and spent 14 months gaining his Electrical Engineering Level 3 certificate.

“At the end I was fortunate to be the top of the class and scored 97 per cent marks, says Kamal.

“Our tutor Nick Gorton was great and my overall experience of being a student in the course was brilliant.

“I received a valuable studentteacher relationship, all the students did. I’m now progressing from engineering to a full-time PLC programmer, and I know I could not be in my position now

Kamal Yadav enrolled in one of the many courses Skills Update offers in 2021 and spent 14 months gaining his Electrical Engineering Level 3 certificate.

without Skills Update study.

“PLC programmers must have a knowledge of electrical things and how it works, and so Skills Update has given me the opportunity to work for larger companies that are heading towards 100 per cent automation,” says Kamal.

Skills Update was born out of an aspiration to provide New Zealand youth and adult learners with skills and a strong work ethic so they can successfully enter the job market in their chosen trade or profession.

The electrical engineering programme offered at Skills Update is ideal for those who want to pursue a career in the electrical industry, but do not yet have an electrical apprenticeship.

It will equip you with entry-level knowledge and skills concerning electrical installations, testing etc., helping you to perform limited electrical work under supervision.

To see what Skills Update has to offer, call: 0800 500 106 or head to: skillsupdate.co.nz to see where your future takes you.

Free postharvest technology course Do you want to know more about managing postharvest performance of the fruit or vegetables you grow?

Are you keen to understand how to better manage produce you’re responsible for in the postharvest sector? Do you want to gain 20 credits at Level 6 and complete a paper towards the Fruition Diploma in Horticulture Production?

Fruition Horticulture has partnered with specialist postharvest research organisation Start Afresh to deliver a course on postharvest technology as a part of their Level 6 Fruition Diploma in Horticulture Production.

“The paper is an opportunity for people in the postharvest sector, or in the field, to gain indepth knowledge on postharvest management of fruit and vegetables and also understand horticultural production systems and their impact on postharvest performance,” says David Tanner, a principal of Start Afresh.

“We’re excited to work with Fruition to develop and deliver this paper.

“The mixed mode of delivery enables people working in horticulture from around the country to access this specialist knowledge.”

Currently, the course is free. “All you need to spend is quality time engaging in class for 12 weeks and preparing your assessments,” says Fruition Horticulture’s Sandy Scarrow.

“Fruition has developed this NZQA-approved

Fruition Horticulture is offering a course on postharvest technology as a part of their Level 6 Fruition Diploma in Horticulture Production.

programme to be available to anyone nationwide, with opportunities to engage online or attend physical classes at our Tauranga base.”

This paper is one of six offered in the Fruition Diploma of Horticulture Production Level 6.

The paper can be a one-off, or those keen to obtain their diploma can complete a further five papers. Information on all training services offered

by Fruition, is at: www.fruition.ac.nz

DIPLOMA

IN HORTICULTURE PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MEETS POST-HARVEST Understand how actions in the orchard or paddock impact on produce storage.

Understand how to maximise the post-harvest potential of your produce.

Access learning through industry experts.

Level 6 NZQA Qualification Fees Free and TTAF Government Funded Face-to-face and online classes available Classes start 1 June 2022

www.fruition.ac.nz

The Weekend Sun

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Rare opportunity to learn to live in the moment Achieving anything you set your mind to, is all part of the Mind Body Soul course run by Outward Bound.

Experiencing an action-packed adventure can reveal true strengths which can be applied to everyday life – this opportunity is available to 16-18-yearolds in the Papamoa/Te Puke area.

In conjunction with the rotary clubs around the district, The JR McKenzie Trust is again providing a scholarship for those aged 16-18 to attend Outward Bound’s Mind Body and Soul Course in July.

This 21-day course costs $5495 but funding of $4025 is available, leaving applicants just $1470 to find to make this happen.

Papamoa Rotary spokesperson Bonnie Roger says those thinking about this opportunity should know that applications need to be in quick.

“To be eligible you need to be residing in the Papamoa/ Te Puke area,” says Bonnie.

“You will need to be fit – and can

Bound experience is very much about learning to live in the moment.”

Anyone interested can check out what the course covers at: www.outwardbound.co.nz/courses/ mind-body-soul Applications must be made in the first instance to the Papamoa Rotary Club. For more information, contact Bonnie Roger on: 07 575 8224, or email: gjcroger@gmail.com Applications close Thursday, March 31.

ENGLISH Day or evening classes

Applications are now open for the Mind Body Soul course.

run 3km in under 25 minutes and be comfortable in and around water.

“You also need to be the correct weight for your height – and, you need to be

ready to challenge yourself to the limits and beyond.

“You will develop personal goals through outdoor modules. The Outward

Giving your kids the best tutoring from home If you want another example of a business adapting to the challenges of Covid-19 and meeting the increased needs of their customers, look no further than NumberWorks’nWords Tauranga.

Tutor Stefan Jones teaches his students online while they are isolating at home.

The in-centre tuition experience at NumberWorks’nWords Tauranga is extremely effective and loved by students. During times of disruption due to Covid-19, NumberWorks’nWords is adaptive, offering online tuition to students affected by Covid-19, or who are in self isolation.

To keep students on track with their learning while in isolation, NumberWorks'nWords offers an online learning option where students can access their personalised learning programmes from home, with their usual tutor teaching them via video link.

“Our tutors work closely with students, focusing on their needs, and teaching them at their level,” says centre manager Mary Huang.

This is what sets NumberWorks’nWords apart as a tuition provider for ages five to 16. The online option means learning doesn’t have to stop when students are stuck at home due to isolation requirements.

The past two years have been disruptive to students’ learning, and students continue to encounter challenges due to Covid-19 in the community and isolation requirements.

“Students have missed out on many learning opportunities. At-home learning has been

challenging for children and parents,” says NumberWorks’nWords Tauranga manager Kate Harland.

“Many parents are concerned with where their children are at. They want their children to be successful, and to have the confidence to give new concepts a go.”

Keeping students on track with their learning, while learning from home, is crucial.

For more information phone: 07 578 5575

or visit: www. numberworksnwords. com/nz

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The Weekend Sun

Friday 25 March 2022

23 news and views for the over 55s

‘Love your ears’ for a happier life In recognition of World Hearing Day, Audika’s audiologists are encouraging all New Zealanders to ‘love their ears’ and take a free online hearing check.

“As Kiwis, we all need to take hearing loss more seriously,” says Michael. “Having a free hearing

This year’s World Hearing Month theme ‘To hear for life, listen with care’, reminds us to focus on safe listening as a means of maintaining good hearing across your lifespan.

March is World Hearing Month, an annual campaign to promote ear and hearing care worldwide.

With a 2022 theme of ‘To hear for life, listen with care,’ this global initiative from the World Health Organisation provides a reminder to get your hearing checked – wherever you are in the world.

However, according to new research commissioned by

Audika, Kiwis are not leading the pack when it comes to looking after their ears. More than 50 per cent of New Zealanders believe they have some degree of hearing loss – yet only one in four intend to book a hearing test.

The primary health concerns for Kiwis are memory loss and dementia for 68 per cent of participants – yet 85 per cent are unaware of the associated risk between hearing loss and dementia. According to a

check and wearing hearing aids can help you listen better, feel more connected and improve your quality of life. ‘Loving your ears’ could change your life.” If you’re 18-plus, get a free hearing check at Audika by calling: 0800 422 115 or book online: www.audika.co.nz

landmark 2020 study in ‘The Lancet’, treating hearing loss early – before or during midlife – is one of 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia.

“The results indicate that those who sought help for their hearing reported feeling happier, leading more satisfying lives, and having more fulfilling relationships,” says trained audiologist and Audika’s senior regional sales and operations manager, Michael Severn.

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Want a new snuggle buddy?

This handsome little man is Tenchi.

He’s a six-month-old Pitbull-cross.

Tenchi is an easy-going pup with a penchant for making friends. He loves sticking close and is always interested in whatever his humans are doing.

He is a dopey, little smarty pants and is always eager to please; he is good at providing lots of laughs and has been learning very quickly.

In his downtime he turns into a total

snuggle bug. He has been exposed to multiple people of all ages. He is a very chill dog but will need training around cats; at this stage he chases them.

Tenchi is microchipped, registered, up-to-date with all his shots, housetrained and crate-trained, and is on the waiting list for desexing. To find out more, message the RRR Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RRRCanine

Tell Tauranga City Council what the future should look like in the Ōtūmoetai area.

Tauranga City Council is asking the Ōtūmoetai, Matua, Brookfield, Bellevue and Judea communities what they want the future of their area to look like.

‘Take me to the future: Ōtūmoetai 2050’ will use interactive maps, webinars and in-person community sessions to help develop a 30-year plan to support growth in the area and ensure it has enough houses, suitable ways for people to get around and community spaces to support wellbeing.

Tauranga is projected to grow by around 78,500 residents by 2063 and will need approximately 34,400 new houses to be built. This means the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula will see big changes during the next 30 years.

Until the end of April, people can tell council what they think should be better or different by

Take me to the future: Ōtūmoetai 2050

dropping a pin with their comments onto a series of online interactive maps. The five maps look at future commercial/retail centres, public transport, walkways and cycleways, community amenities and facilities, and feeling safe in the community.

Alternatively, residents and community groups can email or post feedback to the project team.

Feedback will be collected and fed into a draft plan – also known as a ‘spatial plan’ – that people will be able to provide further feedback on later in the year.

A series of online webinars and in-person community sessions will be held to support the project.

To access the online interactive maps and find out more about the webinars/in-person community sessions, visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/otumoetai2050

What should Ōtūmoetai, Matua, Brookfield, Bellevue and Judea look like in 2050?

Your feedback will help us to develop a 30-year plan for the future of your community.

Visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/otumoetai2050 to share your ideas by the end of April 2022.

IALIZ ED

Quality blinds

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Upgrading or replacing window treatments is a great way to get ready for the cooler seasons ahead.

“In the past people have looked to curtains for thermal retention,” says Tauranga’s Greg Adams, operations manager at Bay Blinds. “However, curtains are often a poor performer in comparison with our winter blinds range.

“We’re also happy to report we’re carrying a good supply of manufacturing componentry. Our champion production teams have really pulled together despite market interruptions.

“They’re charging ahead with the componentry, creating Bay Blinds’ rollers, venetians and verticals for our customers’ windows and doors,” says Greg.

In the past few years international shipping woes and Covid-19 interruptions have plagued the manufacturing industries. Locally manufactured in Tauranga, Bay Blinds production teams have

implemented innovative new operational systems to keep those blinds rolling out.

Advances in stock ordering, increased warehousing and daily rigorous Covid-19 testing schedules have enabled Bay Blinds to continue to keep homes and businesses across the BOP well equipped.

“It’s times like these where the value of our committed, expert team members really comes to the fore,” says Greg. “Our blind technicians, working right here in Tauranga, have worked smarter and harder to ensure we satisfy our customers with the same quality they expect.

“Despite the testing times with shipping, we’re getting back up to full speed production across our venetians, rollers and verticals.”

Continued supply has been welcome news for Tauranga, Western BOP, Whakatane and Rotorua purchasers, who value factory direct prices made locally.

Ready for an upgrade? Call and speak with a Bay Blinds expert: 0800 229 254.

There’s no slowing down for Bay Blinds’ manufacturing specialists Liana Hotham, Greg Adams and Dan Arnell.

G

Now that the warmest days are waning, folks across the Bay of Plenty are starting to think about those chillier evenings.

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IN TIN

Direct from the factory We custom make all of our blinds at our Bay Blinds factory in Tauranga. There is no middle man in our supply chain so we can keep our prices low but our quality high. And with our local team assembling them we can guarantee you’ll be happy with the end result.

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Friday 25 March 2022

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Building a house for those who need it Building a home to house 14 people aged 65-plus who might not otherwise have the means to secure quality accommodation in their older years is what motivates a Katikati group doing just that.

Abbeyfield Western Bay of Plenty has secured a 2020m2 section on Wills Rd in Katikati to build a large family-style house for senior residents with modest or no assets.

The house will offer a private studio with ensuite to each resident, with a communal lounge, dining area and laundry and gardens to share. A paid housekeeper will prepare two meals daily and keep an eye on residents’ wellbeing. Breakfasts will be selfserve, plus volunteers will maintain the grounds.

Flatting for seniors

Abbeyfield WBOP chair Carole Parker says some locals heard of the Abbeyfield house concept – New Zealand has 14 Abbeyfield houses – and the not-for-profit registered charity was formed and is working hard to make Katikati’s house become a reality.

“The Abbeyfield model is a bit like flatting for older people. It provides affordable, respectful, community living for independent older people, with modest or no assets in a supportive, safe, thriving and caring environment.”

This all-inclusive living is affordable on superannuation and includes power, food, maintenance, WiFi, accommodation and a sinking fund for future maintenance. “There is no license to occupy, no capital contribution, no long-term contract.”

With land secured, Abbeyfield

Abbeyfield WBOP chair Carole Parker with fellow members and volunteers on the site for the Abbeyfield house in Katikati. Photo: John Borren.

WBOP has engaged Frank Reintjes as project manager. “Frank is experienced in developing large builds throughout NZ as well as other Abbeyfield Houses.

“We’ve also finalised our architect’s brief and are about to commission concept plans with more accurate costings for all aspects of the work.”

Fundraising

The group’s fundraising arm is aiming to raise $1 million – with charitable trusts and philanthropic organisations willing to support the project once this goal is met.

Carole says the project does not have a confirmed price-tag yet due to plans still being worked on but

CALL US FOR A FREE QUOTE!

07 578 7558 or 0800 932 683

the need for such accommodation in Katikati is high. “We already have a waiting list of prospective tenants who want to live in the house and we haven’t even started building it yet.”

Carole says statistically, people aged 65-plus who have no or limited assets are pretty much living on their Superannuation, making it difficult to access good quality, affordable rentals. “Often what happens is some people put up with less-thanperfect housing – or they struggle, have to live with family or friends, or in less-than-satisfactory conditions. This problem is getting worse because many older people in that generation don’t like to complain, so they put up with it.”

Increasing demand

A Western Bay of Plenty District Council report on elder housing identifies increasing demand for rental housing for over-65s. This is predicted to increase by 182 per cent by 2047.

Carole says government focus for housing is on families – “I can understand that; it is important our families have good accommodation, but in the older generation there’s a growing percentage in the position of not being able to have quality, affordable housing. Everyone thinks all Baby Boomers own their own homes – that’s not correct. Many rely on rentals. An added problem is the increase in sale of rental properties, which has greatly reduced availability.”

Carole says Katikati’s Abbeyfield House, once built, will be self-funding. “We will not need ongoing revenue support.”

Abbeyfield WBOP has fundraisers underway and several large events planned late-2022/early-2023.

The next is a Tupperware Expo on tomorrow, March 26, at St Pius Catholic Church, 89 Beach Rd, Katikati, from 10am-3pm. To find out more, or to donate funds, phone: 0274 579 686 or email: Merle Cave abbeyfieldwbop.chair@gmail.com

The Weekend Sun

Friday 25 March 2022

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Great value-for-money blinds

A-One Blinds has been manufacturing custom blinds from their Mount Maunganui factory since 1999.

During that time, the experienced team, with more than 100 years’ combined manufacturing expertise, has built a reputation for producing consistently highquality blinds, as well as delivering an excellent service and being innovative and flexible.

Husband and wife owners Ben Shaw and Melissa Olsen are passionate about the industry and take pride in the amazing outcomes their blinds deliver for their customers.

The close-knit team work out of an 800m2 Mount Maunganui factory, cutting out the middle man so customers can deal directly with the manufacturers.

Ben says with each custom-made blind, they provide a free measure and quote service.

“Every blind we make is measured perfectly for your home and we use only the highest quality materials from the proven suppliers.

“An experienced consultant will help you through the three-to-four week process, from consultation to installation.

“We manufacture roller blinds, venetian, motorised, vertical blinds and also sell shutters – so we have an extensive range of window coverings.

“We’ve got a very experienced team

With each custom-made blind, A-One Blinds provide a free measure and quote service.

New surfaces add worth to your home Recently, with travel overseas difficult, many homeowners have turned to refreshing, redecorating and renovating their homes.

As a result, business is booming!

Add easy value to your home with Simply Surfaces.

Since 2011, Simply Surfaces has manufactured new benchtops, splashbacks and surfaces for people across Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, Tauranga and Bay of Plenty. It is the retail face of trade-based company Ultra Surface Solutions.

There are many things to consider when changing up

your kitchen, bathroom or laundry, but they needn’t cost the earth. A new benchtop, splashback or vanity top for your kitchen, laundry and bathroom can add value to your home.

Depending on the age and condition of your cabinets, you may not need to replace them. New tops and splashbacks in a new colour and style fitted to well looked-after cabinets can modernise and refresh a space.

“I love the transformation that new surfaces bring to a project. It’s like the icing on the cake for a newly renovated kitchen, bathroom or laundry,” says sales consultant Kirsty Kushnirenko.

“Simply Surfaces has a wide range of products to choose from, including high-pressure laminates, premium acrylic solid surfaces and sink inserts.

“There is something for everyone.”

To help make the process easier, Simply Surfaces has created ‘Imagine. Design. Create.’ This is a guide to your new surfaces. It has all you need to know – from laminate and acrylic solid surfaces to sink inserts, benchtop thickness and edge profile options.

Kirsty looks forward to helping you with your project so she can provide you with ideas to create a look you will love today and tomorrow.

Want to update your kitchen, laundry or bathroom surfaces?

Don’t know where to start? Download the FREE guide to your new surfaces.

Unleash your ideas to create new benchtops, splashbacks and surfaces you will love now and tomorrow.All you need to know about getting new surfaces for your home or business - kitchen, laundry, bathroom, ofce and furniture. The design possibilities are endless!

Download the FREE guide and start planning your new surfaces. http://simplysurfaces.co.nz/free-guide.

Or simply get in touch - we’re here to help!

Simply Surfaces is Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Tauranga’s leading retailer of benchtops and surfaces.

Call now, or go online to arrange a FREE measure and quote.

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and high quality products at affordable prices.”

Ring and speak to one of A-one Blind’s consultants for a free in-home visit or visit the factory showroom in Mount Maunganui.

“You’re dealing directly with the manufacturer so you’re getting great value for money,” says Ben. Phone A-One Blinds on: 07 575 3182 or send through any building plans or ideas to: reception@aoneblinds.co.nz

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simplysurfaces.co.nz

Friday 25 March 2022

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On the road to greener travel

Farmer Autovillage Nissan sales manager Roger Matthews, House of Science CEO Chris Duggan behind the wheel, and Driveline Fleet Ltd’s BOP business consultant Rob Price. Photo: John Borren.

A Tauranga-based charitable trust dedicated to improving science learning in classrooms throughout the country is practising what it preaches by getting on the electric vehicle bandwagon.

House of Science this week received four new electric vehicles so it can continue its mission to provide comprehensive bilingual science resource kits to schools nationwide. This in turn gives teachers confidence teaching science in the classroom and results in engaged students.

Car leasing business Driveline, which has been supplying vehicles to House of Science for seven years, handed over the keys of four Nissan Leafs at the Farmer Autovillage showroom in Mount Maunganui. The cars have been signwritten by signage experts Computastyle Signs (now CS Signhouse).

Travelling facilitators

House of Science CEO and Bay of Plenty local Chris Duggan already drives a fully electric Kia Niro.

Chris says the vehicles will be used by the charity’s new team of Professional Learning and Development facilitators, across the North Island, who work closely with teachers in House of Science member schools. The facilitators also enable connections between local businesses, scientists, and schools to help bring the local curriculum to life for students.

“As the CEO I do a lot of travelling to meet with businesses to try and drum up sponsorship because we receive very little funding from government. Our facilitators, who work closely with teachers in our member schools, are also on the road a lot delivering professional development

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to ensure staff are well supported when using our awesome resource library.“We made the decision to go with EVs because it’s only logical for a science organisation to look at new technologies that improve the world around us. Looking after the environment and doing whatever we can to be conscious consumers is extremely important to us.”

Electric goal

Chris says almost half of their fleet is now electric with five fully electric vehicles, including her own, and a plug-in hybrid Outlander.

“We obviously want to be fully electric but currently there are no economical fully electric van options available to deliver our kits to our branches. But never say never. Our goal is to be fully electric by 2025.

“I’m proud to be leading an organisation that is dedicated to doing whatever it can to save the planet and our wallet! We are also hugely thankful for Driveline and the excellent service they have provided us over the years.”

Rob Price says Driveline Fleet Ltd has been working with the House of Science for years, and believes Chris and her team do a fantastic job of delivering science education into schools. “And with the way fuel prices and carbon emission requirements are going, an alternative is going electric. Driveline has expertise in finding EVs to suit each business’ requirements and we’re happy to assist anyone that needs lease vehicles.”

House of Science was founded by Chris in 2014.

Today there’s 17 HOS branches and around 25 per cent of NZ schools are members. Each week at least 260 resource kits go into schools, reaching about 7000 students. To learn more, or see how you can help HOS reach more students, visit: www.houseofscience.nz

Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm

Call today!

07 578 6017

The Weekend Sun

Friday 25 March 2022

29

MUSICPLUS

By Winston Watusi watusi@thesun.co.nz

Happy birthday Mr O’Brien Let’s start this week with some birthday wishes. It happens that one of the Bay’s more famous residents, the very fabulous Richard O’Brien, is celebrating his 80th birthday today, on March 25. All together now: “Happy Birthday Richard!”

I suspect Richard is one of the very few people I write about that really, genuinely, needs no introduction.

But let’s run through a few things anyway...

As I suspect you might be aware, he wrote a musical way back at the start of the 1970s, ‘The Rocky Horror Show’. Not many years before that he’d moved to England and was in London pursuing a career as an actor on stage, in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ amongst other things, and film – I believe his brief debut was in ‘Carry On Cowboy’ – while trying to interest publishers and others in his songs.

Rocky changed all that, particularly the left-field success of the film adaptation ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. The rest is history. The stage show turns 50 next year and is not only still constantly performed but, for slightly indefinable reasons, still seems relevant today.

Richard has, of course, done a bunch of things: been in films from ‘Revolution’ with Al Pacino, to ‘Ever After: A Cinderella Story’ with Drew Barrymore, and ‘Dark City’ with a great outfit; and he’s done an extraordinary amount of work on stage: musical, dramatic, one man-shows, the full gamut. And if you visit the UK you’ll find he is equally well-known for an eccentric quiz show called ‘The Crystal Maze’, which still repeats constantly on afternoon TV.

The History Village, a group show by nine local photographers entitled ‘Gig Photography’.

Now, having seen it, I’d happily recommend it to anyone with a fondness for Tauranga’s live music scene, or the New Zealand scene in general in fact: get down there and have a look. It runs from 10am each day and will be on until April 3.

Alternative

I was particularly struck by the photographs from Chris O’Donnell, very much focused on the alternative scene here, from the Woodcock festival to the many vaguely illicit gigs happening under the harbour bridge, in rail tunnels and at other unlikely locations.

He has pictures of well-known Kiwi bands such as The Clean and The D4 and dozens of lesser-known outfits all caught in full swing often with vibrant glitches in the photographs

adding ineffably to the vibe.

And through the nine photographers work there’s a real picture of the music both from and passing though this town during the past few years. John Baxter is a musician and also someone who documents other bands and has terrific shots of Ed Gains & The Human Remains, Tiki Taane, Hamish Kilgour, Alien Weaponry and more.

There’s Paul Ubana Jones and Kendall Elise and Sophie Gibson photographed by Nicci Baxter and elsewhere you can see Grant Haua and Trevor Braunias and Brian Franks and Aaron Saxon and The Chills, The Schizophonics, The Cavemen, Mike Garner, Kokomo and on and on. There are more than 100 photographs all up, and should you so desire they are all for sale, the largest ones are going for $100; the small ones $10.

Oh, and while you’re at the village, there’s a quirky exhibition of paintings by Mike Morgan in The Incubator, a sort of surrealist L S Lowry with the Mount and other seascapes as background for his intricate figures. It’s fun.

Recently

Most recently he has been writing and recording a new project, currently aimed to be an animated film of some description, a sort of philosophical musical fantasy poem. What I’ve heard is brilliant.

But like the rest of us, Richard has been buggered around by Covid. There was going to be a Big Eightieth Birthday Show. Then there was going to be a small, invite-only 80th birthday show.

Now I’m told there will be quiet drinks at home, another casualty of the pandemic.

So, in lieu of a concert, or any public event, perhaps we can double up on those birthday wishes.

All together again: “Happy Birthday Richard!”

A couple of weeks back I wrote about an exhibition coming up in The People’s Gallery at

Richard O’Brien. Photo: Colin Lunt.

VERY EASY

SUDOKU

No.2129

How to solve Sudoku!

8 1 9 2 5 Fill the grid so that 3 5 2 1 every row and every 3x3 square contains 1 2 9 the digits 1 to 9 4 2 7 to solve No.2128 VERY 3 4 6 9Solution 9 2 1No.2129 8How 3 4 8 7 2 1 5 EASY Sudoku!

4 1 8 5 3 2 6 7 9 82 75 5 2 5 7 9 6 1 8 4 3 8 1 9 Fill the grid so that 3 8 1 7 2 5 9 6 4 JACK DUSTY’S Sat 26th Jason 8pm 3 1 every row and 9 every 5 765394182 5 2 (Bureta) Sun 27th Josh3 Pow Sat 26th Shotgun 7.304-7pm 3x3 5 square 3 contains 6 19 74 29 28 41 86 53 53 76 4 1 10.30pm 2 9 the digits 1 to 9 5 2 6 1 7 3 4 9 8 Sun 27th Blaze 3-6pm MOUNT HOT POOLS 6 7 8 1 3 8 3 4 6 5 9 7 2 1 4 2 7 Sun 27th Mark Affleck THE JAM FACTORY 7-8.30pm ol u tion N No.2128 o. 2 1 2 8 9 2 1 How8to solve3 4 6 S9Solution Sun 27th Jeripoca Duo 3 4 8 7 2 1 5 VERY 7-9pm $10 THE PHOENIX 4 1 8 5 3 2 6 7 9 EASY No.1622 Sudoku!

Sun 27th Anzacs Duo 8 7 5 2 5 7 9 6 1 8 4 3 LATITUDE 37 3-6pm 3 8 1 7 2 5 9 6 4 4 1 2 8 3 Fri 25th Joel Lee 8pm 9 5 7 6 5 3 9 4 1 8 2 Fill the grid so that 9 4 2 8 1 6 5 3 7 9 5 4 every row AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD4NOW! 5 and 3 every6 1 7 9 2 4 8 3 5 6 3x3 square contains 5 2 6 1 7 3 4 9 8 5 7 3 61 the 2 4 7 digits 18to 19 8 3 4 6 5 9 7 2 1 2 8 5 7 Solution No.1621 5 6 3 9 7 3 2 8 6 1 4 7 9 5 5 7 1 2 9 8 6 3 4 5 6 7 1 9 4 6 7 5 3 2 1 8

SUDOKU

SUDOKU

Across 7. He pioneered aerial topdressing (4,8) 8. Island (NI) (6) 9. Horrified (6) 10. Illness (7) 12. Designate (5) 15. Suffering (5) 16. Strip (7) 18. First NZ governor (6) 20. Lake (SI) (6) 22. Birds (12) Down 1. Shocking (8) 2. Chew (4) 3. Current (7) 4. Sea (5) 5. Unmarried (8)

No. 1769

6. Advantage (4) 11. Clergyman (8) 13. Vegetables (8) 14. Hairstyle (7) 17. Idiotic (5) 19. Excess (4) 21. Playful (4) C A S F E E Y S A H Z A F

O B U L L S E C R A M P S

N R U E D C L R T S P E T

T A R A N A K I A T O T E

E N E E D P O P I I E E E

E D I B L E W T E N U R E

T Y L O G G G G G G I F E

A S T U T E T A S S E R T

I N M T X A O R T I I A O

T A X I E G O O D N E S S

Solution 1768

A P T Q M L A U I E O E T

A S S U R E T S N E E R E

H M S E T S O E K D K M R

Friday 25 March 2022

The Weekend Sun

30

THE WEEKEND SUN

SUBMIT YOUR LISTING VIA: sunlive.co.nz/whats-on-application.html P: 07 578 0030 E: office@thesun.co.nz. DEADLINE 5PM TUESDAY.

Saturday 26 March A Course In Miracles

This is A Course In Miracles, a required course. Study this life transforming course for free in your home. Full support given. Txt/Ph 0210 274 2502

Tauranga Farmers Market

7.45am-12noon at Tauranga Primary School cnr Cameron Road & 5th Avenue. Rain, hail or shine. Direct from the Producers. Support local

Tauranga Fuchsia Group

Original art for sale. Weather permitting. 9am-3pm. Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. Tauranga Society of Artists

Meet last Saturday of the month February to November at Art & Craft Centre, Elizabeth St West 1pm. Learn to care for fuchsia plants

Association Croquet

Village Radio Museum

Art in the Park

Sat, Mon & Wed at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. 9.15 for 9.30am start. New players & visitors welcome. Ph Jacqui 574 9232

Bay Singles Social Group

Join a bunch of over 50’s young singles. Weekend dinners, pot-lucks, occasional outings. Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

Book Reading Discussion Group

‘Love as the way of life’ by Gary Chapman. Practical ways for authentic love to change your life. Zoom meeting. Book purch ase unnecessary. Txt 0210 274 2502

Community Radio broadcasting nostalgic music & Community Notices seven days on 1368 KHz AM Band.

Radio Museum open from 10am.

Request line 571 3710

Sunday 27 March Croquet

Sun, Tues & Fri at Tauranga Domain, Cameron Rd. 12.45 for 1pm start.

Beginners welcome. Ph Peter 571 0633

Farmers Market - Mount Mainstreet

Free Community Dinner Saturday

Every Sunday 9am-1pm rain or shine!

Te Papa o Nga Manu Porotakataka (Phoenix Park). www.mountmainstreet. nz

Greerton Hall Market

Sun, Tues & Thurs at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. 8.30 for 9am start. New players & visitors welcome. Ph Nev 575 5121

Under the Stars provides dinner every Saturday for our homeless and hungry guests. 45 Cliff Rd, near the rose garden.

Takeaway only for now, 5-6pm Last Saturday of each month.

8am-12pm. Stalls inside/outside.

Discounts for charity groups.

Refreshments at kitchen. Ph/txt for site.

Tricia 07 543 1487

Indoor Bowls

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club Hall 14 Norris Street (behind PaknSave) 12.45pm Sat, Tues & Weds. Must be fully vaccinated. Come join us Ph Carol 022 639 2411

Jigsaw Library Brookfield

Every Saturday 10am-12noon. Hire: 500p 50c, 1000p $1. Choose from a variety of 500 puzzles. Please wear mask, bring Vaccine Pass. rookfield, off igh ore errace

Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd 12.45-3pm

LOL Laughter Wellness

Looking for a suitable outdoor venue.

Will resume asap. Please check www. lollaughterwellness.weebly.com or Ph Trish 022 036 6768 for updates. lollaughterwellness@gmail.com

Omokoroa Market

Settlers Hall 9am-12pm.

Your local community monthly market is on again! Come and check out our new stalls. New vendors email omokoroamarket@gmail.com

Golf Croquet

Māori History Walks

Papamoa Hills - learn the stories of Maori settlement along the BOP coastline. See details and booking here www.traveled. co.nz/upcoming-experiences

Papamoa Country Music Club

Come along to enjoy music this afternoon at Papamoa Recreation Centre off Parton Rd. Starts at 1pm.

Vaccine Pass required

Papamoa Lions Club Market

2nd & 4th Sunday. Gordon Spratt Reserve, Parton Rd, Papamoa. Gates open 7am for stall holder entry. Wayne 027 974 5699

Quakers

Warm welcome to share your spiritual journey with group of friendly people.

Tea, coffee, thoughtful conversation, silence and companionship.

10am-12noon. Cnr Cameron and Elizabeth. Ph 543 3101

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Sun & Thurs 1.30-4pm. Pond behind 22 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Radio Controlled Yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Monday 28 March Active Seniors Exercise

Mon & Thurs strength and balance for seniors. City Church, Otumoetai 9.30 for intermediate exercise and 11am for lo i pact. ll le els of fitness. h iana 021 047 6155

Alcoholics Anonymous

Open meeting 10am Tauranga Central Baptist Church. cnr 13ave/Cameron Rd. All Welcome. Ph 0800 229 6754

Badminton Club Aquinas College

Tauranga Badminton Club. Mon & Weds, 7-9pm at Aquinas College Events Centre. Seniors & year 11 upwards, Casual players welcome, $8pp. Ph/ txt Noel 027 622 9797 www.sporty/ taurangabadmintonclub.co.nz

Chess Mount Maunganui

Mt Maunganui RSA Chess Club, Maunganui Rd. Mondays (excl. public holidays) 7pm onwards. The RSA requires Vaccine Passes. Info: search “Western BOP Chess” online

Citizens Advice Bureau Tauranga

Free confidential i partial infor ation & advice. Don’t know? Ask Us! Mon-Fri Ph 07 578 1592 email tauranga@cab. org.nz 9am-4pm *no face to face at the moment*

Dutch Friendly Support Network

Coffee morning 1st Monday of month, 10am-12noon. $4 entry. Vintage Car Club Rooms, Cliff Road, Tauranga. Ph Bernadette 07 572 3968

Floral Art

Te Puke/Papamoa.

Monthly sessions working ith flo ers and foliage.

Meet friendly members.

New members welcome.

Info: Sally 021 142 9738

Indoor Bowls Otumoetai

Join us for an enjoyable evening of social bowls. We meet Monday’s 7.15pm at Matua Primary School Hall Clivedene St entrance. Ph Karen 07 576 0443

Keep On Your Feet

Omokoroa 11am-12pm, Settlers Hall, 334 Omokoroa Road. Strength & balance classes for older adults. All levels of fitness elco e. h harnie 021 111 8617

Mt Maunganui Indoor Bowls

Join us for Indoor Bowls at Mount RSA on Mon & Thurs 6.45pm start. Bring $3 and Vaccine Pass. Alice 02 106 4233 / Joy 027 308 7271

Pickleball

St Enochs Presbyterian Church

Try pickleball - it’s fun! We meet at the Mount Sports Centre 9.15am-12.15pm. $5. Bats, balls, refreshments provided.

Club days Sat, Tues & Thurs. Tawa Street, Mt Maunganui. French game played ith i i flair, boules a ailable.

Ph John 022 075 4251 for playing times

Join us for Sunday mornings at 9.30am. Controlled access service Vaccine pass required. 134 Sixteenth Ave, Tauranga. Info Ph 578 3040

Taijiquan and Qigong

Sunday Social Cycle Group

Interested in keeping birds? Club Nights held at Matua Hall, Levers Rd from 7.30pm on the 2nd Monday of the month - come along! Bob 027 478 6282

Petanque Tauranga BOP Association

Sat & Weds 9am free Taiji / Qigong group. Kulim Park on beach opposite new playground. All welcome. Ph Petro 021 751 665

We are a new casual group that has an organised ride together on the last Sunday of each month. Info Fiona taurangasocialriders@yahoo.com

Tauranga Bird Club

Tauranga Civic Choir

Mondays 7.30pm at Wesley Methodist Church, 100 13th Ave, Tauranga. All voices welcome. Ph Julia 575 0538

Tauranga Creative Fibre

Every Monday 9.30am also 2nd & 4th Thursday 7pm.

Learn new skills, knitting, crochet, spinning, dyeing, weaving & felting. 177 Elizabeth Street Tauranga.

Ph Cathy 07 570 2191

Let’s Learn Something New

An A-Z of clubs, courses & classes for 2022. Find an activity, join & do it! All ages. www.letslearn.nz or Ph 07 544 9557

Merge Group Social Connections

Mon & Thurs 7.30-9.30pm at Memorial Hall QEYC. New players welcome. Info TableTennisTauranga.com

If you’re new residents in Tauranga, come and meet friendly people, at Cornerstone, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays each month from 5pm. Info Karen merge. tauranga@gmail.com

Tauranga Te Papa Probus

Mount Morning Badminton

Tauranga Table Tennis

Club is closing down end of April.

Robbie Adams - Secretary. We recommend you join Cherrywood Probus. Shirley 570 1535

9.30am-12pm. Mt Sports Stadium, Blake Park. Social, all ages, racquets available, beginners welcome. $5 per day.

Ph Margaret 575 9792

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club

Mount Runners and Walkers

Mon & Thurs 500 Cards 14 Norris Street (behind PaknSave) 12.45 pm $3, refreshments. Vaccine Pass required.

Come join us Carol 022 639 2411

Te Puke 500 Cards

Mondays 7pm start. 4 Queen Street, Te Puke. Cost $4. New players & visitors welcome. Ph Mike 027 495 5284 or Lou 07 573 8184

Te Puke Community Patrol

Fun and friendly running and walking club for adults of diverse fitness le els. eet ues & Fri at ay St, Scout Hall 9.25-10.30am. www. mtrunnersandwalkers.co.nz

Omokoroa Beach Indoor Bowling

Meet at Settler’s Hall at 6.30pm for 7pm play. All equipment provided.

Please wear smooth soled shoes. Max 25 players. Ph Ruth 07 571 1564

Otumoetai Walking Group

Meet on a Monday over tea & coffee to share information. Info Ph 027 430 6383 or email tepuke@cpnz.org.nz

Meet at 9am at Kulim Park. Ph Danny 576 6480

Tuesday 29 March

St. Mary’s Church Hall Cnr Girven & Marlin 9-10.30am. Suitable for joint replacements, arthritics, recovery from accident or illness. Also strength, coordination and balance.

Jennifer 571 1411

500 Cards

Tues & Thurs Mount Community Hall, 345 Maunganui Road. All ages.

All welcome. Fun and friendly group.

Margaret 027 658 6848

Active Seniors Greerton

Intermediate exercise for seniors. A fun strength and balance class to music.

Greerton Hall at 10am. $6, Vaccine Pass required. Ph Diana 021 047 6155

Alcoholics Anonymous

Closed meeting 7.30 St George`s Anglican Church. 1 Church St, Pyes Pa. All Wecome Ph 0800 229 6757

Altrusa Womens Service Group

Womens Service Group meet every 2nd Tues evening for business meeting and even 4th Tues for programme evening.

Sandra 027 483 8454 altrusa.org.nz

Conversation Cafe Dee St

10-11.45pm Tuesdays at Presbyterian Church Hall. Varied program, morning tea. Aimed at seniors. All welcome. $5/ person or $5/couple. Make new friends.

Ph 544 0951

Fitness Fun And Coffee

ardio, eights, floor ork, dance, have fun, feel better, make friends. 9.3010.30am at St Columba Church, 502 Otumoetai Rd, Cherrywood. Info Gloria 021 139 2448

Keep On Your Feet

Katikati 10.30-11.30am, Catholic Church Hall, 89 Beach Rd. Strength & balance classes for older adults. ll le els of fitness welcome. Ph Sharnie 021 111 8617

Kidz Need Dadz BOP

Dads Support Group from 7pm at 538 Fraser Street, Greerton. Help with parenting, relationship separation, assistance with legal advice and mentoring. All dads welcome

Recycled Teenagers Gentle Exercise

Scrabble

Come exercise your brain with words and strategy for the win! Tga Citz Club, Tuesday 9.20am weekly. All welcome, any level. Ph 578 3606

TaiChi TCIANZ Beginner Classes

Tuesdays Te Puke Memorial Hall 9.30am Te Puna Memorial Hall 1pm.

Wednesdays 9.30am St Georges Church Hall, Gate Pa. Thursdays 9.30am Te Puna Memorial Hall. $5

Tauranga Acoustic Music Club

Greerton RSA 7pm. Friendly gettogether, all instruments, all levels of ability. Come in & enjoy some live music. Grant 578 6448

Tauranga Model Railway Club

Club meets at Clubrooms upstairs Tuesday 9.30am & Thursday 7.30pm corner of Mirrielees & Cross roads, ulphur oint. h ike ldfield 021 939 233

Yoga For All

Welcome Bay Community Centre, 6-7.30pm.

Traditional, relaxing yoga class. Beginners welcome. $15 for one or $110 for nine classes. Bring a mat. Info: Bhajan 07 929 7484

Wednesday 30 March 10 Pin Bowling

1pm @ 10 Pin Tauranga, 135 13th Avenue. Play for fun but keep the score.

Very occasionally competitive. Phone Glenda 0212 578 678

Active Seniors Exercise Class

Wednesdays 9.30am at Matua Hall.

Strength and balance exercises at an

The Weekend Sun THE WEEKEND SUN intermediate level. All welcome. Ph Diana 021 047 6155

Adults Ballet/Plus Class

St Peters, Katikati 12.30pm.

Exercise and dance class learn ballet french terms. Some jazzy dance and character. Ph Gaye 07 577 1753 or 027 274 8753

Alcoholics Anonymous

Open meeting , 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month. 10.00am, Tauranga Central Baptist Church , cnr 13ave/ Cameron Rd. Ph 0800 229 6757

Age Concern Walking Group

Meet 10am at end of Plummers Point Rd, Take a picnic lunch. Ph Renee 07 576 6699

Cards

Cribbage 12.45pm at RSA Greerton.

Friendly club. New members very welcome. Ph Jill 021 160 6143

Healing Rooms Prayer

Experience God’s healing touch, whether physical, emotional, spiritual. Central Baptist Lounge, 640 Cameron Road. 1-3pm.

All welcome. No charge. www. healingrooms.co.nz 021 213 8875

Indoor Bowls

Weds & Fri Mount Community Hall 345 Maunganui Road. All ages.

Beginners welcome. Ph Cyril 022 639 2585

Indoor Bowls Gate Pa

Greerton Community Hall. Darby & Joan & mixed pairs 7pm names in book Kevin 543 4044

Katikati Bowling Club

8 Park Road. Mixed Roll-ups 12.45-3pm

Marching For Leisure

A non-competitive activity for mature ladies. Fun, fitness and friendship. For Tauranga team’s practice and contact details Ph Chris Conn 027 479 1871

Pickleball

Try pickleball - it’s fun! We meet at Baypark 10am-12noon. $5. Bats and balls provided. Bob 027 478 6282 or Viv 021 162 3342

Seniors Low Impact Exercise

Low impact exercise to increase balance and strength through both

Friday 25 March 2022

31

seated and standing exercises. 10.40am Matua Hall $5. Vaccine passes mandatory. Ph Diana 0210 476155

Tauranga Embroiderer’s Guild

Meets every Wednesday at Tauranga Rowing Club, Devonport Rd 10am-2.30pm and 7-9pm. Beginners very welcome. Ph Carol Roband 027 348 5875 or 466 0075

Tauranga MidWeek Tramping Group

Franklin Rd Dickeys Flat. Grade moderate. Annemieke 027 650 3483

Thursday 31 March CAP Lifeskills Course

Learn practical money, health & wellbeing, organisation & relationship skills in this friendly group Thursday mornings 9:30am-12pm 17 Feb-7 April. Registration required stpetershouse.co.nz/apply-for-cap-lifeskills.html or call 571 5916

Diabetes NZ Drop-In

Drop in every Thursday 10am-12pm for diabetes information, education, and support for anyone living with diabetes and their families. Vaccine Pass required. 177a Fraser St, Tauranga.

07 571 3422

FLexercise with Fitness League

Exercise, movement, and dance.

Focusing on posture, balance, stretching, strengthening & flexibility.

All ages and abilities.10.35am, Senior Citizens Hall, 14 Norris St, Tauranga.

Ph Pam 021 117 7170

Free Community Lunch Thursday

Under the Stars provides lunch every Thursday for our homeless and hungry guests. 45 Cliff Rd, near the rose garden. Takeaway only for now, 12-1pm

Katikati Bowling Club

8 Park Rd Rummikub 1-4pm, $3 entry

Keynotes Women’s Barbershop Chorus

7pm Wesley Hall, 100 13th Ave. Singing is great exercise for the brain and your lungs. Come join us. Ph Bernice 576 4848 Facebook: Keynotes Inc

Kickstart Toastmasters

Improve your speaking skills and confidence in a fun, supportive club environment. 7am at Basestation, 148 Grey St. Ph 022 390 2216

Numerous awards for local winery

LOL Laughter Wellness TePuke

Laugh your troubles away under the trees in Fairhaven Park, Boucher Ave. Thursday 10.30-11.45am.

Weather dependent. Check www. lollaughterwellness.weebly.com or Ph Trish 022 036 6768 for updates lollaughterwellness@gmail.com

Table Tennis Tauranga

Senior social table tennis 12.45-3pm at Memorial Hall QEYC. New players welcome. Info TableTennisTauranga.com

Tauranga Te Papa Probus

Club for fun, friendship and fellowship. 1st Thursdays of the month. 9.30am at Daniels in the Park, Eleventh Ave. Ph Secretary Robbie 578 1051

Friday 1 April

Alcoholics Anonymous

Open meeting 10am Tauranga Central Baptist Church. cnr 13ave/ Cameron Rd. All Welcome.

Ph 0800 229 6754

Pickleball

Try pickleball - it’s fun! We meet at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre 9-11.45am. $5. Bats, balls, refreshments provided.

Bob 027 478 6282

Pickleball At Night

Try pickleball - it’s fun! We meet 7-9pm at Tauranga Boys College. $5. Bats and balls provided. Bob 027 478 6282 or Viv 021 162 3342

Tauranga Patchwork & Quilters

1st & 3rd Tuesday, 7pm or 2nd & 4th Friday at 10am. Tauranga Art & Craft Centre, 177 Elizabeth St. Phone Denise 027 291 9917

Te Puke Bowling Club

New members welcome.

Loan bowls available.

Friday rollup 12.45pm. Ph Te Puke Club 573 9709

Leveret & Mills Reef Winery won awards at the recent 2022 China Wine and Spirits Awards.

Leveret and Mills Reef Winery has a lot to raise a glass to. The winery’s Mills Reef Gimblett Gravels Reserve Merlot 2020 was awarded a double gold medal and named the New Zealand Wine of the Year in the 2022 China Wine and Spirits Awards. This is the biggest and most prestigious wine and spirits competition in Hong Kong and China.

Wine and spirits were entered into these prestigious awards from more than 55 countries, covering all price levels and tasted blind. A CWSA medal is the most powerful endorsement of quality and suitability for the Chinese market, with the judges representing the top buyers, distributors, retailers and sommeliers in Hong Kong and China.

“It is a huge outcome for this newly-released wine,” says chief winemaker Paul Dawick. “It’s a wine we knew would have great appeal and presence. With poise,

finesse and balance this fruit-driven, yet complex wine is well suited to the palate of many. Results like this are a reward for a hard-working, dedicated team. It’s satisfying to be recognised for the efforts that go into making great wine.”

The Leveret Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 also received a double gold medal, with the Leveret Reserve Merlot Cabernet 2020 and Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 shining bright with gold medals.

“Made from an outstanding 2019 vintage, this special Syrah has all the hallmarks of a top-class wine, so it is wonderful to be honoured with a double gold medal,” says winemaker Cam Duke. “From the hard-working vineyard staff right through to our warehouse and distribution team, it really is a grape-to-bottle team effort.”

The wines and others are available at Leveret and Mills Reef Winery Cellar Door open from 9.30am-5pm and located in Katikati (2389 State Highway 2, RD4). Alternatively, you can order them online: www.wineportfolio.co.nz/shop

Gold in a Glass

Shop the CWSA New Zealand Wine of the Year and Gold Medal Winners WINEPORTFOLIO.CO.NZ/GOLD

Visit the Cellar Door and see our extensive range of wines.

Conveniently located at 2389 State Highway 2, Aongatete just 5 min south of Katikati and 15 min north of Tauranga.

Friday 25 March 2022

The Weekend Sun

32

CLASSIFIEDSECTION

PH: 07 557 0505 EMAIL: nadia@thesun.co.nz Pages can be viewed online at www.theweekendsun.co.nz

trades & services

P. (07) 578 4110

995 Cameron Road, Gate Pa, Tauranga

www.theupholsteryshoppe.co.nz

BUILDER BUILDER CONTACT JEFF CONTACT JEFF

sliding door won’t slide?

0800 402 402 281 Otumoetai Road, Otumoetai, Tauranga www.denturestauranga.co.nz

• Window handles, hinges & stays • Security locks for windows & doors • Sliding and bi-fold door rollers, locks & handles • Retractable insect screens

Call us today to arrange an assessment of your home.

07 575 3000 www.exceed.co.nz

Get the total right cut for your lawn People wanting to have their lawn looking sharp need not look any further than Totally Cut.

www.matagas.co.nz

Totally Cut is a ride-on lawn mowing service that is suited for any property.

Whether you have a lifestyle block, large residential orchard lawn that needs dealing with,

LAWNMOWING Totally CutLTD Lawns & Gardens Residential - Lifestyle - Commercial

Mathew 021 507 182

Totally Cut operate from Papamoa Hills to Omokoroa and everywhere in between.

give Mathew Dick at Totally Cut a call.

Operating from Papamoa Hills to Omokoroa, Totally Cut offers ride-on mowing, garden and irrigation services.

Free up your time and get a great looking lawn with one phone call.

Call Mathew on 021 507 128.

The Weekend Sun

33

Friday 25 March 2022

trades & services

Admin

Administration Services

GreenKiwi Gardens

Expert property management services.

Do you want to receive rent 365 days a year?

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Our proven selection process means you get the best tenants.

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Owner operated

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Dedicated to being the best, not biggest!

Friday 25 March 2022

The Weekend Sun

34

trades & services

health & wellness

situations vacant LANDSCAPE WORKER Skilled labourer required for permanent role.

Must have had some building/tool experience.

Excellent pay rate offered + paid weekly

Need a builder?

Licensed Building Practitioner Phone 022 035 1997 www.firstcallconstruction.co.nz sam@firstcallconstruction.co.nz

L JOB S M A LChemwash_Sun ALIST SPECI

5x2_Feb21_V2.pdf

1

19/02/20

S2212

Please contact Johanna

021 545 767

situations vacant

12:06 PM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

JOB VACANCY!

Gardening, Mowing, Trimming and Revegetation Do you have a green thumb?

An instinct for gardening?

New Zealand’s Quietest Heat Pumps

Smart Environmental is a large New Zealand privately owned and operated parks and reserves contractor. We have been in business for over 25 years and are justifiably proud of our people, history and customer service. We look after a number of spaces such as parks, reserves and roadsides.

We have a great opportunity for you to join our Tauranga team!

Why join our team?

• Recognition of your talent and skills - Our leadership team will support and enable your growth, providing you with a stable work environment and rewards for a job well done.

SHOWER CLEAN SERVICES BOP LTD

• Working early starts and early finishes - there is still plenty of time for after-work activities and work-life balance!

• A supportive environment with training to help you to grow your skills!

You will need to be physically fit and able to work in all conditions, so a love of the outdoors is critical.

In addition, you will: • Be able to drive a manual vehicle and have a minimum Class 1 Licence • Have worked in Gardens before or have a Qualification in Horticulture • Know how to mow using large ride-on mowers If one of these roles are for you, please apply including a cover letter and cv to Gary gbartlett@smartenvironmental.co.nz or phone Karen on 021 2563009, no later than Friday 22 April 2022.

Please note that only candidates for interview will be contacted.

COBBLE

&

CONCRETE

WWW . A1 CC .CO . NZ We are looking for new team members! if you haveCobble & orConcrete experience, please be in touch. or if you like physical work and are keen on a career in the construction industry then also, be in touch. dan@a1cc.co.nz I 021444187

The Weekend Sun

funeral services

Friday 25 March 2022

35

automotive

mobility

bible digest

BLESSED IS THE ONE who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers (Psalm 1:1)

curriculum vitae

CVs THAT STAND OUT. A C.V. For You can help you look great on paper. Targeted or generic cover letters also available. Samples to view on facebook www. facebook.com/acvforyou or Ph/text 021 27 27 912

public notices

gardening

wanted

ABLE GARDENER, experienced, efficient, knowledgeable, highly qualified. Maintenance, pruning, hedges, shrubs, roses; disease/ pest control, lifestyle blocks, garden renovations; design & plant. Ph Tita 027 654 8781 or a/h 542 0120 HANDYMAN HOME & GARDEN SERVICES tree pruning, weeding, hedges, water blasting, home maintenance, rubbish removal at affordable rates Ph Philip 027 655 4265

health & beauty

NATURAL NEW ZEALAND Health Products & Clinic.

Something for everyone.

NZ Registered Natural Therapies & Natural Medicine Practitioners. Opposite BP Te Puke. Ph 573 5533 www. naturaltherapiesnz.com and www.naturalpetremediesstore. com MASSAGE / Telephone appointment Ph Annie 0210 864 7910

livestock

AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses.

Ph 0800 369 6269

florists

pets

public notices NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL PARTY

TAURANGA ELECTORATE

Notice of Special General Meetings

These branch meetings will elect delegates from qualified members in order to form the Tauranga Electorate Selection Committee to select the candidate for the 2022 by-election.

Mount Maunganui Branch

Matua/Otumoetai Branch

Sunday 3rd April, 12:30-2:30pm Sunday 3rd April, 12:30-2:30pm BOP Vintage Car Club Rooms Lyceum Club, 68 First Avenue, Tauranga Cliff Road, Tauranga

Tauranga Branch

Bethlehem Branch

Sunday 3rd April, 3:00-5:00pm Sunday 3rd April, 3:00-5:00pm BOP Vintage Car Club Rooms Lyceum Club, 68 First Avenue, Tauranga Cliff Road, Tauranga Apologies to Maree Brookes: maree.brookes@national.org.nz

TAURANGA SPCA are desperately in need of foster homes - Have you had experience looking after a canine mum and a litter of pups and have a safe set up ready to go? If you are interested and available for the next 6 weeks, please get in contact. email tauranga.admin@spca.nz or call 07 578 0245” FOUND KITTENS & PUPPIES various places, colours and sex.

Ph SPCA 07 578 0245 Found tabby adult female cat. Tauranga South area. Ref: 542018 Found black adult female cat.

Te Puke area. Ref: 542241 Found grey tabby adult female cat.

Te Puke area. Ref: 542371 Found tabby & white adult female cat. Papamoa area. Ref: 541811 Found grey tabby older kitten.

Katikati area. Ref: 542080 Found black & white adult male cat. Omanawa area. Ref: 542381 Found black & white adult male cat. Brookfield area. Ref: 542080

sponsorship

Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington

CHILD CANCER FOUNDATION has had to cancel our biggest fundraiser. Kiwi kids with cancer

urgently need your support.

Please help us raise $300,000 this March. Please donate now at childcancer.org.nz

trades & services

BRYCE DECORATING interior and exterior painting, wallpapering. Have your powdercoated windows faded?

Can be cleaned and restored like new! Plastic car bumpers faded?

Can be restored too! Quality work. Showroom finish.

Ph Wayne 021 162 7052 BUILDER AVAILABLE repair maintenance, decks, pergolas, fences, all housing work.

Ph Roger 022 121 3356 ROOF REPAIRS Free quotes for all maintenance of leaking roofs, gutter cleaning & repairs.

Chimney maintenance & repairs.

Registered roofer, 30yrs exp. Ph Peter 542 4291 or 027 436 7740 TREE, SHRUB and hedges trimming, topping, rubbish, palm pruning or removal, satisfaction guaranteed free quote. Ph Steve Hockly 027 498 1857

travel & tours

ZEALANDIER TOURS Day Trips on offer for the curious traveller.

Come check out the Weta Cave in the Auckland Sky Tower –Tuesday 29th March– still have a few seats available.

Ph 572 4118.

ZEALANDIER TOURS Waimangu Valley & Cruise Thursday 31st March- still have a few seats available.

Ph 572 4118.

ZEALANDIER TOURS North Island West Coast Adventures –Apr 25th-28th– Ph 572 4118 for more details.

NO 8 TOURS New Zealand’s Senior Travel Club- Join our club today to receive all our VIP Members Benefits exclusive to No 8 Tours & receive our complimentary beautiful colour catalogue. We specialise in bespoke itineraries, modern vehicles, friendly guides & comfortable modern accommodation. 5th-9th May 2022- 5 Days TeAnau, Doubtful Sounds 6th-10th May 2022- 5 Days Northern Coromandel 16th -20th May 2022- 4 Days Marlborough Sounds. Free door to door service, extended tours, day trips, Shows. BOOK NOW: Ph No8 Tours team on 579 3981 or email admin@no8tours.co.nz or visit www.no8tours.co.nz to view and book all our tours.

venues

WEDDINGS, PARTIES, MEETINGS, etc. The perfect venue. With stunning Harbour views, fully licensed bar & kitchen onsite. Restaurant open every Friday from 5pm & Sunday from 4.30pm, kids under 12 years dine free with every paying adult. Tauranga Fish & Dive Club, 60 Cross Rd, Sulphur Point. Ph 571 8450

wanted to rent

HELP, my family are in need of a home by early May, long term preferable. Rent payments always on time & references available.

3+ bedrooms anywhere in Tauranga. Ph 027 348 1706

Friday 25 March 2022

The Weekend Sun

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OVER 30,000 bathroom renovations

60CM

60CM

1099

$

OVER 150,000 large appliances per year

We deliver anywhere in New Zealand

399

$

799

$

4,500 Home improvement products in stock

999

$

1099

$

Free home delivery with minimum spend

399

$