The Weekend Sun - 25 November 2022

Mystic magic!

Mount Mystics jumped the best and trumped the rest!

Twelve jump jam pros from Mount Maunganui Primary School literally took their bounds to new heights –claiming first place in the Year 5-6 advanced division at the National Jump Jam Championships 2022 earlier this month. “The team was absolutely shocked,” says nine-

year-old jump jammer Daisy Garea. “It was a great feeling knowing we had won Jump Jam Nationals!”

Jumping is no joke to these champions as take their springy-styled skillset very seriously. “I don’t know what I would do without Jump Jam in my life,” says Daisy.

Leading up to the competition, the girls jump count was

definitely high – training as much as five times a week!

“We did training in our lunchtime and at 7.30am before school,” says coach Karen Reed. “It’s very technical so feet have to stay together, arms have to go up at the same time, it has to run smoothly.” And their dedication paid off.

Read more on page 11.

Photo: John Borren.

On the other side of Armageddon

Hallelujah!… and pass the tambourine. Splash some holy water and fire up the thurible... get some incense going.

Because I just might be in the team – I might be one of the 144,000 saved on the Day of Judgement, when good finally triumphs over evil, when the world, or the human race, or both, are blitzed, destroyed.

I know this all sounds a bit dramatic and catastrophic and final, but it’s me making some assumptions from unsolicited emails I have received from people with good heavenly connections, people who should know about “the end”.

They were from Emma at Shincheonji Church of Jesus Christ. “Kia ora Jim,” said the email. Shincheonji, a Korean church with an advertised 317,327 adherents, that has become “the light of the world” and has embraced Te Reo Maori. Kapai!

Emma

“I hope you are doing well,” continued Emma. I am doing very well thank you Emma and I am touched by your interest in my wellbeing. And I am probably doing better than Shincheonji which is more wellknown in New Zealand than kimchi and k-pop, but for the wrong reasons.

It’s had some bad press in recent years –rightly or wrongly. Mainstream churches here have variously slammed Shinchoenji as a secretive doomsday sect, a pseudo religion with a crazily warped take on Christianity, while every other pastor, priest, minister and biblical academic has kicked Shinchoenji from pulpit to baptismal font for its deceptive and aggressive recruitment techniques.

They’ve been accused of infiltrating and proselytizing around our university campuses – wheedling their way into young and vulnerable hearts and souls at uni.

We also read about constant pressure on followers to make converts, or “fruits” as they reportedly call them, perhaps because they are ripe for the picking. Converts who lapse are tagged “poisoned”.

And they’re also accused of playing dirty, they “evangelise” or recruit from other churches. Heaven forbid! Isn’t there a

biblical covenant against nicking stock from another flock? “Thou shalt not steal…”

My significant contribution...

And there’s Emma at Shincheonji messaging and massaging. “We’ve seen your great work with The Sun.” I like what I am reading – and all the time you were thinking I am just some ego-centric old hack cranking out mind-numbing words to fill page two every week. But I am actually doing “great work”. It may sound a tad

at a graduation ceremony of the 100,000 people who have completed the church’s 10-month bible course. Why have I just gone cold again; hypothermic cold.

I have bad memories of going to my little bunny’s university graduation. Her surname starts with ‘W’ so she is always damned near last in the queue in this alphabeticallyordered life we lead. I had to wait three hours, and politely clap 380 other graduates before ‘W’ had her 20 seconds in the sun.

So 100,000 graduating “fruits” fizzing on faith – probably not.

It might be, as Shincheonji suggests, “The dawn of a new era for humanity” but I have to attend a burial at sea, and then jam my head in a door.

The ticket

Shincheonji apparently claims to be the one true faith with members receiving salvation at the time of final judgment.

sanctimonious, a bit holier-than-thou but excuse me while I bathe in the glory. Then she points to my “significant contribution to society”. I really like what I am reading Emma. And to put that word “significant” into some context, Fire and Emergency New Zealand recently advised of a “significant” event in Waihi. A house was burnt to the ground. For the property owners, that’s probably significant. And when police talk of a significant accident, there are probably multiple deaths. People dying is significant too.

So to extrapolate my “significant contribution to society” we could be talking about something of knighthood proportions. Jim Bunny, Badge of the Order of New Zealand, has a nice fluffy ring to it. But it’s more likely to be Merle, my editor and work wife, shouting me a cup of tea and a ham sandwich on her child support as reward. But any recognition is good recognition.

Anyhoo – there’s a catch, always a catch. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus tells me they would “honoured” to have me

If you’re not in the group, you will be denied forgiveness and destroyed. It’s all over, finito, concluso, terminato! Holy crap. What about this heathen? What about me? I am not that certain of my own invincibility. Perhaps an eternal life policy with the Shincheonji might be the ticket.

Am I too late, where do I sign up? It’s easy to be clever Dick cynical until you are suddenly confronted by Armageddon.

Regardless, I’d like to keep my options open. It’s the scheming, chancer journalist in me – we can be as cunning as church missionaries when we get a whiff of a good story. And I whiff a good story here.

Shincheonji was founded by a Korean called Mr Lee Man-Hee. He is well connected – professes to have met “the risen Christ” and is apparently “God’s advocate” on earth. Perhaps he could broker an interview for me. Imagine – an interview with The Creator. That’s banner headline stuff and would make The Weekend Sun famous beyond Bethlehem.

We could syndicate, make money and perhaps score a Pulitzer. Cheehoo! As the Samoan rugby league fans say.

Time ticking on relocation

Mount Maunganui Playcentre has had massive support following the news of its potential closure, but the support may not be enough.

It remains to be seen if Mount Maunganui Playcentre can raise an estimated $600,000 still needed to build a playcentre at Golf Road Reserve. The playcentre – operating at near full capacity –is required to relocate to the new site as part of the Tauranga City Council’s redevelopment of Blake Park – its current home.

Playcentre Aotearoa, the Ministry of Education and TCC have all provided financial support to Mount Maunganui Playcentre for the project – but the centre is still $600,000 short and the deadline for payment is June 2023.

“We still need an estimated $600,000 to complete the build. Without it, we will face closure. Every small donation makes a difference,” says the playcentre’s Givealittle fundraiser page. In seven weeks the page has encouraged 42 donors to gift $14,837. The page’s goal is $100,000.

Still positive

In a statement, the playcentre says it’s still positive about their ongoing relationship with Tauranga City Council but realise there’s work that

needs to be done. “Mount Maunganui Playcentre and TCC have maintained a positive working relationship since the possibility of our relocation was raised over a decade ago. We are currently on a monthly lease arrangement with TCC in our current centre at Blake Park. For now, we are focussed on raising the funds required to start construction on our new centre in 2023.”

Fully committed

Playcentre parents are fully committed to helping achieve its relocation dream. “Alongside our wider Mount Maunganui community and alumni, our current members and their families are dedicated to reaching our fundraising goal. We’re passionate about our playcentre and the important role it plays within our community. For almost 50 years, Mount Maunganui Playcentre has had a positive impact on thousands of tamariki and we are excited to continue the important mahi we do at our new location at Golf Road Reserve.”

According to Playcentre Aotearoa chief executive David Moger: “Playcentre Aotearoa is already supporting Mount Maunganui Playcentre to the extent possible”. The playcentre’s Givealittle page is at: givealittle.co.nz/cause/mount-maunganuiplaycentre-relocation

Read the full story at: www.sunlive.co.nz

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Photo: John Borren.

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The only local daily news source you need, constantly updated, seven days a week www.sunlive.co.nz

City paid parking returns

Time is just about up on free parking in Tauranga’s city. From Thursday, December 1, a city centre two-hour free parking trial ends and will be replaced with paid on-street parking with variable charges.

The free parking trial began mid-2020 to support retailers and help re-energise the CBD during a period of Covid-19 disruptions.

From Thursday, December 1, to Wednesday, February 1, 2023, on-street parking in the city centre will be $1 per hour for the first two hours and $5 for each subsequent hour.

From Wednesday, February 1, 2023, this will change to $2 per hour for the first two hours and $5 for each subsequent hour.

Boobops head to Melbourne

The breast cancer survivor dragon boat club ‘Boobops’ is flying to Melbourne next week, to compete in the Pink Paddle Power 2022 regatta. The event is set out to raise awareness of the benefits of dragon boating for breast cancer survivors, and marks the first time the Bay of Plenty club will head overseas since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Boobops dragon boat racing team members, whose ages range from 39-80, will be departing to Melbourne on December 2, where they will race the following day for women in the same boat as they are.

Blueberries to make Christmas

The blueberry industry is reassuring consumers that blueberries will still be available for Christmas, even though the season off to a rough start with last month’s hard frost (-4.8 degrees Celsius).

Blueberries New Zealand executive member Jeremy Wylie says despite recent frosts wiping out entire orchards in the Waikato, there will be enough stock for the Christmas holiday season.

“We know the demand for Blueberries is high, as data over the past few years has shown massive buyer growth for our fruit.

It is one of our most challenging years, but we are very keen to ensure New Zealanders get to enjoy our healthy, delicious fruit with this year.”

Bluebottles wash up

Hundreds of poisonous jellyfish-like creatures have been spotted on the sands of Bay of Plenty beaches after the region was hit by extreme weather.

Beach goers reported seeing blue ‘jellyfish’ washed up all along the coastline, including on Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa and Pukehina beaches – as far east as Whakatāne.

Pāpāmoa Beach Road vet Brett Kirkland says he sees more stings when bluebottles “are swarming or blowing on the beach like at present”.

Brett advises to keep dogs well away from tentacles, even if they appear dead.

People who are stung by these creatures are advised to get rid of the tentacles as soon as possible, using gloves or cold water, then soak the sting site in as warm a water as you can handle.

Lions turfed out of their den

Bethlehem Te Puna Lions are among a number of groups that have lost their prized meeting place.

A cascade of events resulting in the unfortunate outcome was triggered by an initial plan from the Te Puna Community Centre to upgrade the building’s two sets of outside stairs.

The Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club has held their meetings on the top floor for many years. “We had an engineer’s report done a year ago, which said the building was okay for occupation but the stairs needed replacing,” says Te Puna Community Centre treasurer Doug Morris, also a Lion.

Aim to fix

Doug says the engineer’s report cost the TPCC $3000. “But we got it done as we wanted to improve the facilities and open it up to more groups. The engineer said it was habitable.”

TPCC secretary Jeff Brownless says when the earthquake assessment was done by the engineer the building was up to code. “But the stairs were assessed as being unsafe so that triggered us to replace them.”

The centre committee then approached Western Bay of Plenty District Council for funds to replace the two sets of wooden stairs with steel ones. “We had quotes for $40,000 and $70,000

to replace the stairs,” says Doug. “Before approving it, council sent out a building inspector who ended up finding more problems, with the decking and rot.” Doug says the building inspector’s report shows $1.2 million needs to be spent to bring the building up to code. “When that first report came out showing problems related to the stairs about three months ago, that’s when TPCC condemned the use of upstairs.”

This meant the Lions, the bridge group and Pirirakau all lost use of the upstairs facility within a fortnight. “We’ve all had to find other homes until further investigations have been done,” says Doug. The Lions relocated in the meantime to The Vines for their meetings, held twice monthly.

Discussing fate

The centre at Maramatanga Park has been used by a range of sport, dance and hobby clubs as well as the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions over the years. A rugby club building and scout hall are also located at Maramatanga Park. With the centre’s future up in the air, questions are being raised around how rates paid by ratepayers are allocated, and what options the future holds.

The TPCC committee is planning to hold meetings with other key stakeholders as the decision to upgrade, demolish and/or replace the building is being discussed. Rosalie Liddle Crawford

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Doug Morris and Ron Stephens from Bethlehem Te Puna Lions with their den closed behind them.

Photo: John Borren.

Give the gift of counselling!

Grief Support Services is reaching out to the community to ask for support in giving the gift of counselling this Christmas via their annual donation appeal.

“Our aim is to increase the number of counselling sessions offered and to reduce our wait times,” says funding manager Jen Murray.

“This will mean that we can help more people to manage the turmoil of grief and loss and attain their aspirations for their quality of life.”

To achieve this, Grief Support Services have set an annual goal of $40,000 to be raised through alternative funding strategies.

This translates to an additional 339 sessions –or an extra 85 individuals or families/whānau supported. “We are grateful to have welcomed corporate sponsors on board to contribute to our goal,” says Jen.

“The Christmas donation appeal allows the wider public an opportunity to contribute to our annual fundraising efforts.”

Finding a way through

For a percentage of the population their circumstances mean they can find ways through

their grief without professional support. However, Jen says for many others this isn’t the case and they may feel caught in a complicated, confusing, overwhelming, exhausting space.

“Finding a way through can be a difficult task. The counsellors at Grief Support Services offer sessions to help individuals and families/whānau talk about their loss and grief in a caring way to help make sense of, and manage, the changes that are taking place.”

Donate now

From counselling, clients report changes as feeling calmer; daily life being more manageable; being better able to participate in family/social/ work life; having new skills to help them through difficult times; and being more inclined to speak up for themselves.

In the last financial year, philanthropic support contributed provided 2634 grief and loss counselling sessions, offering counselling support for 605 individuals and families/whānau and providing information to the community.

Donations of $25-plus can choose to receive a set of 15 gift labels while stocks last. To donate, visit: www.griefsupport.org.nz/appeal2022

Ruth Barber and Jennifer Murray of Grief Support Services. Photo: John Borren.

Burns don’t discriminate

An annual Men’s Day Out in Tauranga City is giving male burn survivors a space to be themselves and connect with others that know what it’s like to live with a lifelong injury.

Starting four years ago, the Burn Support Group Charitable Trust created the annual event to give male burn survivors a space to share their stories and support one another. “How they can help each other is really quite extraordinary because they know what it entails and obviously the bigger the burn, the longer the journey,” says event co-ordinator Michele Henry.

Attending the event is Tauranga man Troy Hall, who sustained his burn injuries in 2011 when he was working as an avocado picker. “I got electrocuted the first time through the head and it killed me instantly and the second one went through my chest and it brought me back, but lit me up – so that’s why I’m all scarred up,” says

Troy, who was on a hydraulic cherry picker when struck by electricity from nearby powerlines.

It’s only been in the last 12 months that Troy’s started embracing his scars. “It’s not really the physical anymore, it’s been more the mental so it’s trying to just embrace it and not be ashamed of it.

“That’s why the Annual Men’s Day Out – for myself especially – is really good because you’re talking to other men that have only just been burnt maybe a couple of years ago or some of them are like 20 years in and they still haven’t really connected or come to terms with it.”

This year the men will enjoy time out on the Wish4Fish fishing charter – Troy says for some of the men it’s the only time they get to be themselves.

“A lot of people can’t connect with us because they don’t understand – they try to and there’s a lot of love out there but you’ll never really understand the psychological side,” says Troy.

To connect with the burn survivors community, visit: www.burns.org.nz

Tauranga man Troy Hall shows his burn scars.

Photo: John Borren.

Generosity just keeps growing!

A handwritten sign and a trailer-load of vege seedlings with Bill Rae and wife Elizabeth behind the trailer is a common sight at the Katikati farmers’ market at this time of year.

This spring is no different – the couple are busy carting the trailerload of vegetable seedling goodies into town to sell and fundraise for the Abbeyfield House project in Katikati.

Abbeyfield Western Bay of Plenty has secured a 2020m2 section on Wills Rd to build a large family-style house for senior residents with modest or no assets. “In all, we’re looking to raise $3m for the total project. Stage one requires $1.2m,” says Abbeyfield WBOP chairperson Carole Parker.

Her committee and volunteers have spent 18 months fundraising towards their stage one goal.

The Raes have been contributing by growing seedlings and selling them to the public.

“We’ve been fundraising with vegetable and flower plants for probably nearly 50 years,” says Bill, a qualified botanist.

A flower dream

They started in Howick, selling vegetables to fundraise for a new church there. They’ve helped fundraise for an extension of St Paul’s Presbyterian in Katikati, now it’s Abbeyfield’s turn.

The Raes moved to Katikati 26 years ago with dream of growing cut flowers. “But that didn’t ever happen,” says Elizabeth with a laugh.

Instead they went with kiwifruit, and have since added avocadoes. Plus, they’ve created a fruit-tree wonderland across their property.

Helping to write the horticulture syllabus as

a Howick College teacher, Bill has seed-raising techniques down pat. “We sow a tray of seeds, the more difficult ones are put on a heat pad. After germination they are pricked out into tubes, and trays of 30 are put into a small tunnel house to grow on.” They stagger planting to ensure new seedlings keep shooting, so they can keep selling.

“You start with eggplant, capsicum and chilli.

“They need starting early because they take longer to germinate and they’re slow-growers,” says Elizabeth. Bill says the first plant people look to buy each spring is tomatoes. “After they’ve planted tomatoes they’ll think about cucumbers and lettuces and everything else.”

“And flowers come last,” says Elizabeth.

“So we go by that.”

The growing seed

The Raes have always had a home garden – even in Auckland. “My dad used to grow, Bill’s parents used to grow vegetables. Funnily enough we have three sons and they’re all growing stuff.” Elizabeth says in their parents’ day everyone had a back garden. “That was how we grew up, so you get used to this growing business. That seed is there...

“Today people are worrying about their food budgets – you can always grow vegetables. That’s how we coped back then. The other things that can make big difference to your bank balance and can be grown in pots is herbs,” says Elizabeth.

“And they make your food a lot more interesting,” says Bill.

The couple say there’s no secret to successful gardening. Worm wee, compost, a cover crop and slug bait do the trick. Catch them at Katikati’s Friday night farmers’ market.

This gorgeous, curious, happy pup is Raichu. She is very active and interested in life going on around her. A quick learner she’d be a joy to take to agility training as she loves to be engaged. She has a nice temperament, is intelligent and affectionate, responds well to basic commands and loves to run. She sleeps well through the night, and toilet-trained to go on newspaper when she can’t get outside. Raichu is learning to walk nicely on a lead, likes cats (but is too bouncy for their liking) and would be fantastic companion for another dog. This girl has had a rough start to life, but has settled well and

will absolutely bloom with the right forever family.

Raichu is good with kids, dogs and working on cats, is crate-trained and working on house-training.

To find out more, message the RRR Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RRRCanine/

When it comes to vegetable seedlings, Bill and Elizabeth Rae know how to grow just about anything. Photo: Merle Cave.

Enjoy the freedom that village life brings at Oakland Lodge Village

You will find Oakland Lodge in the soughtafter Avenues in central Tauranga. We are a friendly, boutique village offering modern and spacious one-bedroom apartments which are perfect for those who are now ready to free themselves from the concerns that a larger home can bring in your later years. Whatever your requirements are we can support you with a variety of services plus we have an adjoining rest home and hospital complex for added peace of mind.

As Dawn, one of our residents, says: “I have been a resident in Oakland Lodge for almost 2 years this coming January. Before I came to Oakland Lodge, I was extremely lonely, so I decided to go to an Oakland Lodge

Open home. The size was just perfect and was everything I needed. Since living here, I have not been lonely, and it’s been lovely to be a part of a small community.”

Ian also commented: “I have been a resident of Oakland Lodge Village for around 2½ years. I chose the Lodge after looking at many of the other villages in the area and finding the spacious, light and airy well-appointed apartments suited what I was looking for and being in such a central position, so handy to many social, health and shopping areas it gives you a feeling of still being part of the wider community... You can choose to join in any of the activities offered but you don’t feel under any pressure, and you can be as private as you wish. I still

At Oakland Lodge Village we

At Oakland Lodge Village our residents enjoy the sunny, light-filled environments that offer independence, security and companionship. Being a boutique village, you are known personally and your family is too. We have a variety of accommodation options to choose from. Take a tour of Oakland Lodge Village and see for yourself.

have a small motorhome and when I go away for a few days I know my home is safe and secure. I have no regrets in moving here and look forward to many more happy years here.” Even though we are a small community, we are a fun and happy village where you can be involved as much or as little as you wish. But don’t take our word for it, come and check us out at our Open Days. Talk to our village coordinator Jamie-Lee who will be delighted to show you through our very affordable apartments. You choose, one with a balcony and view of Mount Maunganui or a courtyard garden apartment for those who love a garden setting.

Anna’s artwork a winner

Tauranga’s Anna Solich is the winner of the 2022 The Weekend Sun Emerging Artist Award with her artwork ‘Come Undone’.

Created using watercolour, Indian ink and pencil, the image shows a woman’s softly haunting face gazing out through the framed glass. “The glass is intentional, so the viewer sees themselves in the reflection,” says Anna. “She has hope in her eyes still. Everything is going to be alright.”

She says a quote with her work ‘look deep into your soul and you’ll find a spark’ is behind the

portrait. “So if things are looking gloomy and tough you can look deep into your soul, and you can have that belief that everything’s going to be alright.”

The Weekend Sun and the Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival have partnered to create The Weekend Sun Emerging Artist Award where emerging or would-be artists get the opportunity to take their work to the next level.

Finalists attended two workshops mentored by professional artist Rob McGregor and their work was displayed at the festival hub Bloom in the Bay. Anna found the workshops to be “absolutely fantastic, absolutely brilliant”.

“My initial work I took to the workshops were pencil drawings. They were really tight, trying to replicate the picture precisely. Rob said that if I’m going in that direction, I’ll be a portrait artist. I don’t want to be a portrait artist, I want to convey feeling and emotion. He really made me stop and think about where I wanted to go and what I was trying to produce.

“It was brilliant advice because I went away and completely changed everything I’d been doing for the last few months and went on this new direction.”

At first Anna felt quite out of her depth at the workshops. “I’ve only been drawing for the past two years since lockdown when I had a bit of time on my hands. I’m still in shock that I’ve won this. It’s absolutely fantastic.”

Anna was announced the winner on November 20, on the Bloom Stage and received a prize and entry into the 2024 festival as a trail artist.

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Anna Solich’s winning entry for The Weekend Sun Emerging Artist Award.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Airborne antics over Tauranga

They’ll be buzzing hither and thither all day – if you don’t see them you will hear them –nearly 20 small aircraft sharing the skies over Tauranga City with all the ATR 72s and the odd DC3 this weekend.

And they’ll be bombing, low flying, instrument flying, life raft dropping and executing precision landings and forced landings – 23 events all told in the rally hosted by Tauranga Aero Club.

Forty-one pilots will represent each of the four central area clubs – Tauranga, Waitomo (Te Kuiti), Taumarunui and Waikato. The clubs will put up one pilot for each event – the winner goes to the Flying NZ Nationals in Blenheim next February.

The youngest pilot isn’t old enough to get his driver’s licence but will be blatting about the sky competing in the student air exercises.

He’s 15-year-old Otumoetai College student, Dominik Bennett, who is yet to fly solo.

“It’s amazing being up there above Tauranga at the controls of a small machine,” says Dominik. He fell in love with flying and aeroplanes when

travelling

“Then I went for a trial flight at the Tauranga Aero Club a couple of years ago and was hooked.”

He’s dabbling with graphics, business and sciences at school. “But I definitely see a career path in the commercial airline industry.”

Then there’s Trish Stephens. She’s 76 this weekend, has had a triple bypass and is still doing aerobatics. “I don’t have to compete with the young ones because I’m the only one doing this particular aerobatic routine.” But she still enjoys the edginess of an aero club rally. Experience doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. Good disciplined and accurate piloting wins most times.

“Pilot against pilot, precision flying, everyone wants to win so it’s great for your skillset, it’s fun and it’s challenging.”

One of the most popular competitions at the rally will be ‘bombing’. “The pilots do three circuits at 300ft and throw out three 50g ‘bombs’ – one each circuit – at a target on the ground.”

It’s held safely out of the way at a remote part of the airport near the golf course.

From

with his mother to her homeland, the Czech Republic.

He can fly but can’t drive – student pilot Dominik Bennett. Photo: John Borren.

Jumping and jamming

Mount Mystics have jumped with pep in their step to the very top – placing first in their division for the National Jump Jam Championships 2022.

The team of 12 from Mount Maunganui Primary School brought their best moves to the competition earlier this month, facing off teams from the North and South Island all jumping their hearts out. Mount Mystics were beyond excited finding out their team had placed first in New Zealand for the Year 5-6 advanced category.

“Some of them were crying happy tears,” says coach Karen Reed. “It was a great feeling knowing we had won jump jam nationals.”

“We were overwhelmed with delight and also excited to tell our school and family!” says nineyear-old jump jammer Daisy Garea.

Jump jam is a serious business too with these springy-stepped girls having trained as much as five times a week leading up to the big competition.

“It’s quite intense, it’s a lot of training and the girls are really disciplined, and they had other things going on like sport and camp,” says Karen.

The team had two other coaches on-board, Lauren Wyse and Mr Rodd Kingston-Smith, making sure the girls’ performance packed a punch. “It’s very technical so feet have to stay together, arms have to go up at the same time, it has to run smoothly, they have to do chants, singing – it’s a whole combination of things that you get points for,” says Karen.

At the end of the day, it’s about fun though! Asked what her favourite thing about jump jam is, Daisy says: “Connecting with people that I don’t normally and the fact I could represent my school”. Mount Mystics got their jump jam groove onto song ‘Magic 2.0’ and had a creative circus theme where Daisy was the ringmaster.

“We got distinction for our costume,” says Karen, who thanked parent Yolande King for her makeup skills to glam up the girls.” Georgia Minkhorst

The Mount Mystics won the Year 5-6 advanced category in Jump Jam nationwide. Photo: John Borren.

Dust off those colourful lights, figures and shapes – and get into the festive spirit by entering Sun Media’s Christmas Lights Drive this year!

Sun Media is inviting Western Bay of Plenty residents from Waihi, Katikati right through Tauranga City to Papamoa and Te Puke to get their Christmas lights up and get involved.

Households can register for the Sun Media’s Christmas Lights Drive by sending in their property’s address, their name, and phone number to Sun Media.

Entries can be made by phoning: 07 578 0030, emailing: office@thesun.co.nz with ‘Christmas Lights Drive’ in the subject line, or send a message via the SunLive Instagram page.

Entries close December 7 – with the Christmas Lights Drive listings published in The Weekend Sun on Friday, December 9.

The winning household entry –chosen by a Sun Media staffer – will receive a huge Christmas hamper worth $250 before December 25. So register now!

Light up the Night 2.0

Lighting up lives and raising awareness about autism with a

His first dance party in October 2020 proved a helpful and enlightening starting point for developing the concept further, so that information about autism can be provided to all-comers.

Daniel says at ‘Light up the Night 2.0’ at Totara Street on November 27 there will be about 10 stallholders, including Silk, Rainbow House and Idea Services.

“This is an autism-friendly event and we would like to give the general public, families, and others an enlightening encounter they may have never

had,” says Daniel. “They can come and find out what autism is.”

A community information afternoon with live music and stalls will run 2pm-4pm with free entry.

Matty Buxton will play 2pm-3pm, with Kyle McLean performs 3pm-4pm.

“There will be three DJs playing from 4pm-7pm for the R16 dance party, including Noizzy and DJ Spin,” says Daniel.

He hopes that generating more awareness about autism will help young people who live with it.

“One of the best ways to learn about something is to meet someone who is dealing with that issue,” says Daniel.

Tickets to the dance party from 4pm-7pm for Light up the Night 2.0 are available from: www.totarastreet.co.nz. Door sales $30 from 4pm.

All proceeds go to Autism New Zealand.

Serviced Apartments

Althorp’s serviced apartment residents enjoy all the comforts of home while living in a safe and supportive environment as well as regular outings and activities tailored to their ability.

Each apartment consists of 1 bedroom with large ensuite, lounge, dining, small kitchenette, heatpump, aircon and mobility scooter parking.

Residents also have their own chef to provide their evening meal.

And laundry and cleaning services form part of the minimum support package.

Light Up the Night party combines Tauranga DJ Daniel Cox’s talent and knowledge in a unique way to help others.

Shine some joy in your community

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Daniel Cox.

Photo: John Borren.

Good mates Evan Agnew and Josh Dennison have set out a challenge for each other – one beard versus another.

“It’s Bush Man and the Viking,” says Josh, in reference to their duelling beards, one black, the other ginger.

In a curious bet to see which beard would outgrow the other, they’ve asked the public to decide, on their Givealittle page titled ‘2 bro’s lose the mo’s (and more!)’. All proceeds from their hairy efforts will go to I AM HOPE to help those struggling with mental health.

“We’re just two dudes wanting to do their part to raise funds for mental health,” says Josh, who first took on a fundraising beard-growing challenge in 2021.

“I was originally planning to do Movember, but wanted to support Mike King and I AM HOPE.

“He does a good job.”

The pair met while working at Bunnings. Evan says after seeing Josh do the challenge last year, he decided to join him this time, letting his beard “grow like bush man wild”.

“We shaved on the first of January and haven’t

Bush Man and the Viking

shaved since,” says Evan. “Except one time I did a tiny trim as I had a job interview, so needed to make myself more presentable. I got the job.”

He says Josh is the “more follicle-ly gifted” of the two. “He’s got the good Viking genes for growing a beard. If I’d known my fiercely-follicked friend was going to make it a competition I would have tried harder,” says Evan.

“I’ve had my battles with mental health.

“I look up to Mike King and thought it was a good opportunity to get on board and help raise awareness.”

Support them!

Josh, who can trace his lineage and beardgrowing ability back to Stornoway, Scotland, says he has been growing facial hair since high school.

“Beards are seen as a manly thing, and can be seen as intimidating. So this was about removing the mask and showing we are normal underneath.

“What am I without a beard? Still a guy.”

The friends plan to go get a clean cut and shave on November 30. To support their fundraising efforts, go to Givealitte and look up: ‘2 bro’s lose the mo’s’.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Evan Agnew and Josh Dennison.

New nets great for morale

Greerton Cricket Club’s home is getting a long-awaited and well-deserved facelift with new cricket nets recently being opened to the public ahead of summer.

The club’s nets at Pemberton Park had fallen into a state of disrepair with both the surface and netting, or fencing in this case, having seen better days.

Greerton Cricket Club’s president Ben Lind feels the new facilities were worth the wait.

“It’s been a long time coming. It’s fantastic, we’ve been training away from home, so it’s been hard. “That’s where our hearts are and that’s where the team does really well.”

Jam-packed with juniors

Ben feels the new nets are also great for junior teams and development. “We have 10 teams competing in the Western Bay competition. The nets are already jam-packed with juniors. I mean, you can come down anytime on the weekend and there will be kids in there.”

The project was made possible through a $34,845 grant each from TECT and Grassroots Trust.

Greerton Cricket Club’s premier captain Pip Thickpenny believes being able to train at home is great for team morale.

“Pemberton Park has always been a big part of

Greerton Cricket Club and being able to go to our own facility every week and use our own grounds is just good for the team culture.

“I think it’s quite local to everyone and a lot more so than Tauranga Boys’ College. We’re just thrilled to have it up and running.”

Safer now

Pip says the old nets had become hazardous.

“They were pretty dangerous. On a good cricketer’s length, the nets’ pitches had holes and bumps in the turf. “When the balls bounced some would come through at head height and some would come through at shin height – not ideal for training. It’s a lot safer now,” says Pip.

Greerton Cricket Club would like to thank TECT and Grassroots Trust for their contributions as well as previous club president Steve Wineti, who spearheaded the move to build the new facilities. TECT trustee Pete Blackwell says the cricket nets will be enjoyed by the community for many years to come. “We’re pleased our funding has helped make this project possible. We recognise the important role the fully volunteerrun club plays in encouraging active lifestyles and social involvement in the community, as well as fostering young talent. The nets are available to all of the community and have already proved popular since their installation.”

Ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails can be incredibly painful, often causing infection where the ingrown edge of the nail pierces the skin on the side of the toe. We can offer a gentle, surgical treatment aimed at curing this painful condition.

Ingrown toenails can be incredibly painful, often causing infection where the ingrown edge of the nail pierces the skin on the side of the toe. We can offer a gentle, surgical treatment aimed at curing this painful condition.

Ingrown toenails can be incredibly painful, often causing infection where the ingrown edge of the nail pierces the skin on the side of the toe. We can offer a gentle, surgical treatment aimed at curing this painful condition.

For further information call 579 0090 or visit thefootplace.co.nz

For further information call 579 or visit thefootplace.co.nz

For further information call 579 0090 or visit thefootplace.co.nz

Brought to you by:

Simon L.Herbst

Greerton Cricket Club members are thrilled to have the new cricket nets to use. Photo: Simon L.Herbst.

Classic opportunity for young tennis stars

Two promising young Tauranga tennis players have qualified to play centre-court at January’s ASB Classic as part of a youthfocused tournament.

Charlize Cashmore, age 11, and Cullen Mccashin, age 13, will compete in a new junior tennis tournament called ‘The Road to the ASB Classic’ by Jaguar and Lavie Tennis Academy that gives

promising talent the opportunity to shine at New Zealand’s biggest tennis tournament and win the inaugural Jaguar Cup.

Growing talent

The tournament offers a series of regional draws for tennis players under the age of 14 to compete for a place in the 32-player main pool, which will be played on the courts at ASB Classic in January 2023 – giving

young tennis stars the experience of what it takes to compete at the top. The initiative is designed to improve the breadth and depth of tennis talent – it’s been more than a century since NZ had a tennis player in the top 10 world ranking, with the closest player, Chris Lewis, reaching #19 almost three decades ago.

“We’re delighted to give these future tennis stars an incredible opportunity to perform at ASB Classic. The Bay of Plenty players have competed well so far, with some exciting matches and great talent.

“It’s going to be an exciting time to see the best young talent from around the country compete surrounded by big crowds and some of the world’s best tennis players.”

Setting our city centre up for success

We’re seeking community feedback on a proposal to establish a new Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) that will govern and lead the delivery of the civic precinct redevelopment, to be called Te Manawataki o Te Papa, the heartbeat of Te Papa.

This once-in-a-generation project will see our city’s heart transformed into a vibrant community space over the coming years, breathing new life into what will become a key cultural, heritage and economic driver for the Western Bay region.

Why a CCO is being proposed

Due to the significance of the project, we think it’s important to set up a governance structure that will ensure it can deliver the best possible outcomes for everyone.

This proposed governance structure, which would include a Board and at least one employee, would enable us to draw upon a wide range of industry and commercial expertise and improve cost efficiencies – so we can all be confident that the project will be delivered effectively.

We think this is the right thing to do to set our city centre up for success, but we want to know what you think.

Consultation closes on Friday, 2 December 2022.

Charlize and Cullen –who train at Papamoa Tennis Club – secured their places early this month to play at the ASB Classic, with the opportunity seeing them train and compete in Auckland from January 11-14.

Incredible opportunity

Lavie Tennis Academy owner/founder Sebastian Lavie says the tournament aims to inspire young players from clubs around NZ and is looking forward to seeing how the Tauranga kids perform in front of crowds in January.

Each of the 32 kids selected will compete in four matches during ASB Classic, with hundreds of spectators able to watch, culminating in live finals on Centre Court ahead of the ASB Classic Men’s Final on Saturday, January 14.

More tournament details can be found at: lavietennisacademy.com

KATIKATI Twilight Concerts 2023

Cullen Mccashin.

Lavie Tennis Academy founder Sebastian Lavie, with Charlize Cashmore, Cullen Mccashin and Jaguar BOP representative Lee Small.

Charlize Cashmore.

Gifting all summer long

Enjoy fun summer activities and Christmas gifts, while giving back to tamariki and rangatahi this silly season!

The Graeme Dingle Foundation launched its ‘Vouchers for Good’ initiative earlier this year –helping support local child and youth services in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Free!

The Vouchers for Good booklets have been distributed around our community and are completely free! “We’ve got 35 businesses on board and they all offer a discount – whenever a voucher is redeemed the business gives us a donation,” says Graeme Dingle Foundation business development manager Charlotte Brown.

“It’s a win-win situation and all of the money goes toward our programmes in the region.”

Now that summer and Christmas is just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to make the most of the vouchers, says Charlotte. “We’ve got loads and loads of gifts that would be great for Christmas gifting and for activities in the holidays.” There are a range of businesses on board including Dolphin Seafari, Hibiscus Surf School, Mini Golf & Jeeps Tauranga, Epidermis & Sage –Holistic Skin Therapy, Diamond & Co jewellers,

Kowhai Interiors, My Ride Te Puke and much more. What better way to give to friends and whanau while also gifting to the community’s youth?

Support tamariki

The WBOP branch of the Graeme Dingle Foundation runs four programmes including: Kiwi Can, Stars, Project K and Career Navigator.

“We support 3800 tamariki and rangatahi each week and the programmes aim at building selfbelief and resilience – giving young people the tools to have brighter futures,” says Charlotte.

For more information on Vouchers for Good, see their advert on this page.

Meet the stunning Mika

Mika is a stunning a four-monthold girl and super keen to please. She’s very clever – she can ‘sit’ on command and is even underway with her toilet training, although as a puppy she’ll still need some guidance.

Mika is super sweet and gentle, and would make a fantastic addition to almost

any home. She loves to play and go on fun adventures. Mika is an absolute star, she is super soft and gives excellent snuggles, will play with toys, enjoys human company and has a very calm nature.

Give this gorgeous girl a home today, apply now!

Call the Tauranga centre on: 07 5780245. Ref: 554086.

Georgia Minkhorst

Foundation’s Project K students enjoying a surfing lesson with Hibiscus Surf.

Looking back to save planet’s future

Modern items sit beside objects from times past in Western Bay Museum’s new exhibition called ‘How To Save The Planet – what we can learn from our grandparents’.

The aim is to encourage people to do their bit to help save the

planet by drawing on our ancestors’ practices while highlighting local organisations who are doing mahi (work) to reduce waste in the Western Bay of Plenty today.

Museum manager Paula Gaelic says the exhibition – which is running until February 2023 – re-visits attributes such as thrift and frugality, to see what is really practical for

bathroom envy

us to do today – skills like preserving, mending, growing your own fruit and vegetables, and reducing waste.

Skills into practice

And to put these ideas and skills into practice – or into the hands of visitors – the museum is offering a number of free community talks and workshops. “The idea came from our museum joining the Tourism Industry Association’s sustainable business group,” says Paula.

“They gave us a strategic plan to change our thinking about what we’re doing – it’s also making us really aware of everyday things we can change to help save the planet.”

Topics include waste in general, food and drinks waste, clothing, gardening, and activities around the house – showcasing old tools and practices that previously championed sustainability. Think glass milk bottles, tea leaf strainers, cheese bags and more.

“There are some really good examples of this in the displays…but you can also see new initiatives.”

For example, one display shows an old electric jug, used by a family for decades due to the ability to replace the element inside, alongside today’s popular metal straws that come with a cleaning brush.

Frugality with clothing

Two displays depict our ancestors’ necessary frugality with clothing.

“There is this beautiful blue-andwhite wartime dress. Well, back then fabrics weren’t available – so what does this lady do? She makes a dress out of ribbon.”

Beside it hangs a pair of bloomers made from flour bags.

Cheese bags were used to enable cheese to keep for longer and not go mouldy.

“That was common practice – it’s just a cotton fabric. Instead of just throwing out the flour bags, they made use of them.” Another display has a winter coat that’s been re-sewn and repurposed from another family member’s garment.

“Yes, we are looking back – but ‘How To Save The Planet’ is really about what we can learn from our grandparents because they didn’t waste things like we do in today’s throwaway society,” says Paula.

Paula acknowledges today’s clothing recycling initiatives; “the thing is back in the day, your best dress was actually your best dress – you didn’t have a wardrobe full of clothing”.

“If you can afford to, buy good quality clothing that lasts longer and think about where fabrics are made and what they are made from.”

Western Bay Museum’s Joyce Taylor and Paula Gaelic in front of a display showing how Kiwis used to ‘have tea’ together using teapots and tea leaves. All photos: Merle Cave.

Joyce Taylor and Paula Gaelic with a stunning wartime dress made from ribbons, as no materials were available back then.

of what we can do. Some may say: ‘It’s too late, we can’t save the planet’ but I think everybody has a responsibility to try their best.”

New target audience

The exhibition’s timing is also key. “The museum has opened a whole new target audience. We get children through our school programmes, we get older people because they enjoy museums – but that middle age-group of early-30s-50s are not generally museum-goers.” Only open a few weeks, Paula can already see numbers showing engagement with this group.

Also, Covid-19 played its part. “I think Covid really made us aware that we can grow some vegetables in our small backyard – we can make meals from scratch instead of buying

Free workshops can be booked by emailing: admin@westernbaymuseum.nz or calling:

“It’s not only what we’ve diverted, it’s about what’s being done with collected recyclables –they’re not stockpiled. Our glass is recycled with an Auckland company. Our food waste is going into making compost.

“In the past that was going into landfill and the methane gas from that is massive.

“So it’s about making everyday people aware

The exhibition also nods to today’s movements away from use of throwaway nappies, plastic bags, disposable coffee cups, and more. “In New Zealand we are isolated a lot from a lot of rubbish…you go overseas and there’s rubbish everywhere you look,” says Paula.

“However, our children are learning about sustainability at school, they are vocal about it. They want to be able to make a difference – and it is our responsibility to support that.” View the exhibition at Western Bay Museum, open 10am-4pm Monday-Friday, and 11am-3pm on weekends. Find out more at: www.westernbaymuseum.nz Or find ‘Western Bay Museum’ on Facebook and Instagram.

OPPORTUNITIES TO

Apply at AFFCO.co.nz

C

EARN OVER

The exhibition, sponsored by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, also highlights results from nearly one year of the district’s kerbside service being implemented. “At first I was a bit anti this as I was already a recycler – but this service has really forced people to look at their waste,” says Paula.

continued...

NZ is going down the gurgler!

Labour Government’s ideological nonsense is expanding rapidly with the sneaky way that they announced that they have added another category ‘Hydro’ plus a further one ‘Coastal’, plus what I call a half proposal to take over any reserves and parks which have a link to water,

pipes, pumping stations, etc.

This sort of behaviour goes way beyond simple socialist policies and are more akin to the communist policies of China and Russia.

The PM and Mahuta are riding roughshod over some 88,000 submissions most of which were

9kg LPG REFILL

against this policy of Three Waters centralisation.

This is similar to what we have seen with health and education. Those in Wellington who think they know best are in dreamland, unfortunately at massive cost to us taxpayers.

To use a water expression, NZ is rapidly going down the gurgler!

Bill Capamagian, Tauranga City!

Email: letters@thesun.co.nz For more letters go to www.sunlive.co.nz

No one could ever have dreamed up what this Labour Government is doing to New Zealanders. First, the Government is legislating to steal the Three Waters assets – which carry drinking water, waste water and storm water –paid for by ratepayers over decades. Then they make it clear that these assets will be run by boards made up of equal numbers of people appointed by tribes and by local governments.

Next they determine that the four entities – which will run the water infrastructure –

will have to comply with edicts laid down by a Maori group.

And to top it all off, the Government has now modified the Bill – which will put all this into effect by including geothermal water and coastal water up to 80km from the coast.

Taken as a whole, this move by the Labour Government is the most extraordinary attack on the rights of the majority that New Zealand has ever seen: it is a deplorable theft of assets paid for by all ratepayers to benefit an elite.

Bring on the election next year: the opposition parties have pledged to scrap this nonsense when they return to power.

Margaret Murray-Benge, Bethlehem.

Over the past few months crime statistics have increased drastically in the Ōmokoroa region. Stupid, childish, petty, adolescent, destructive behaviour. Emotionally devastating to victims, not to mention unnecessary expenses to repair the damages.

These 16 year olds want the right to vote in General Elections? How many of these ‘children’ are aged 16 or coming up to their 16th birthday? One would think at that age they would have some concept of respect for others, private property and social responsibility.

Obviously not!

If their crime sprees are an example of their mental awareness of right from wrong – and at that age they should know the difference – I dread to think of the consequences of allowing them the adult responsibility of voting for a government at election time. God help us!

There will be those reading this who will say: “Oh it is just teenagers learning their boundaries, doing the things that all teenagers do.” Sorry – it’s not acceptable behaviour.

People with businesses should not have to put up with this nonsense.

My message to teenagers – if you want adult responsibilities and you want the respect you think you deserve, then start acting like adults.

When apprehended they should have to pay restitution to their victims.

Shirley Gussey, Omokoroa.

Re: ‘Leave climate change to the experts!’ letter by David Maxfield (The Weekend Sun, November 11).

In his recent letter, questioning the opinions of David Hardy, David Maxfield advises readers to accept the various sources of expertise that he promotes and he then makes disparaging comments on those he calls “armchair critics” who listen to “certain presenters on talkback radio”.

In so doing he shows a complete lack of tolerance to any with contrary opinions. He quotes various expert sources. Mr Maxfield, for all of the expert sources you present, those whom you would regard as climate deniers, but who are climate sceptics, could produce an equal number of distinguished and irrefutable experts who have opinions contrary to yours. Many of these ‘sceptics’ agree that there is a period of Global Warming but do not accept the outrageously exaggerated claims of many of the former experts. Where are the extreme temperatures and sea levels that in 1970 were forecast for 2000? How correct have Al Gore’s cataclysmic predictions proved to be?

I would suggest that your advice, Mr Maxfield to readers, should be to seek and evaluate many sources, objectively and then form conclusions. Technical scepticism, open debate and free speech may lead to more practical solutions of the problems.

Bryan Johnson, Omokoroa.

The Weekend Sun welcomes letters from readers. Preference will be given to short letters (200 words maximum) supplied with full name and contact details.

Three Waters is not wanted!

This week, the Government has put the House into urgency in order to put through its atrocious Three Waters legislation, the Water Service Entities Bill.

The proposed Three Waters model has faced wholesale rejection by councils and communities across New Zealand. Labour’s Three Waters reforms will now take control of much more than local water assets, with the Government looking to extend it to certain community parks and reserves.

Strong opposition

The Government is intent on ploughing ahead with their highlycentralised, co-governed mega-entities, no matter how strong the public opposition is. Labour wants this Bill passed and out of the public eye as soon as possible.

It is clear that Ardern and Mahuta’s promises of consideration and open dialogue with mayors about their alternatives are just talk. Labour has no intention of making any

real changes to their reforms. The Government should now abandon its Three Waters campaign and actually work with local councils to find an enduring solution. Councils should retain ownership of their water assets and the Government should not impose co-governance on the delivery of these public services.

Bottom lines

These have always been bottom lines for National. I look forward to speaking on this Bill this week. I will speak incredibly strongly against this takeover of council assets, against the ethnic-based separatism that it creates, and I will continue to advocate for localism and the fundamental tenant of equal citizenship. We are all New Zealanders – let’s act like it!

National will repeal Three Waters.

Making childcare more affordable for families

For many working families here in the Rotorua electorate, childcare is one of the biggest household costs.

That’s why, as part of our Government’s work to support New Zealanders with the cost of living, we’re making childcare more affordable for low and middle income families.

Expanding assisstance

We recently announced we’re significantly expanding childcare assistance, cutting costs for working parents and supporting more children into early education. Plus, we’re further boosting Working for Families and the Best Start payment, providing more support to help ease the pressure. That’s on top of the work that we’ve already done to ease cost of living pressures on New Zealanders, including the fuel tax cut, action on supermarkets and more.

The childcare changes will start April 1 next year. The exact amount families will save on childcare costs will depend on the number of hours they

work per week, the wages they are on, the number of hours of childcare per day, and the cost of their early childcare education centre.

both working 40 hours per week, each on $26 per hour, with two children under five would not have been eligible for childcare assistance, and will now be eligible for $252 per week.

Childcare assistance has been neglected for more than a decade, since income thresholds were frozen by National in 2010. I’m really proud that the changes we’re making will see thousands of parents given back the choice to do what’s best for their family.

Omokoroa Property Management is going from strength to strength – both on the peninsula and beyond!

Director Mary-Anne Lenny says Omokoroa Property Management is now the only resident property management company in Omokoroa – and being based there means they have their fingers on the pulse.

“Any other firm operating here is coming out from town. I’m based on the peninsula,” says Mary-Anne, who moved to Omokoroa in 2019 and founded Omokoroa Property Management in 2020.

Mary-Anne, with her two daughters Amey and Manawa on staff, aim for integrity, trust, excellent results “and have an absolute commitment to the highest standards of business ethics”.

To prove it, OPM just gained Real Estate Institute of New Zealand accreditation.

“That’s brilliant for us as a small business.”

And with Amey and Manawa residing in Tauranga, Mary-Anne says Omokoroa Property Management now manages homes from Pāpāmoa across to Katikati.

“The girls can easily take care of properties on their way to Omokoroa each day – no sweat!”

Amey Mazzutti, Mary-Anne Lenny and Manawa Lenny of Omokoroa Property Management.

NZ’s most trusted businesses revealed

Do you ever feel nervous about making a purchase – big or small – with a business that you’ve never dealt with before?

And your friends or family haven’t heard of them either?

The Most Trusted Business Awards – which honour and publicise

businesses as being most trusted in a range of categories from reviews from past Kiwi clients – can point you in the right direction.

According to MostTrusted Ltd, one of their key roles is to provide consumers with a credible place to find and locate trusted business products and services.

Just announced, the sixth annual

Most Trusted Business Awards winners have been chosen from 2456 eligible NZ businesses, which have received a whopping 3620 reviews/votes.

All votes/reviews are publicly viewable by visiting the most trusted business profile page of each participant business.

The wonderful thing about the

businesses being profiled on: mosttrusted.co.nz is that all the references and votes they receive are not only live on Most Trusted but also sync through to their Google Business profile.

This gives the public more ways to see who is performing out of their skin to deliver trustworthy

products and services.For a full list of results and winners for 2022, see: mosttrusted.co.nz/businessawards

To nominate a business for 2023, or register your own business, request an information packet by emailing: info@mosttrusted.co.nz

One-stop shop for your wheels

Driveline Finance has won the Most Trusted Vehicle Finance in New Zealand brand award in the 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards – and are here to get your business on the road.

In the market 21 years in New Zealand, Driveline specialises in leasing and financing new and used vehicles for companies nationwide.

Driveline’s Lance Manins says their business provides a one-stop shop for clients.

“We’ll do all the purchasing, the financing and fleet management, manage the vehicle’s whole lifecycle and exit them every three or five years –whatever the term is.”

Not only did Driveline win the national award, they also won 2022’s Auckland’s

Company award too. Lance attributes this to the transparency and stress-free service style that Driveline Finance offers. “We’re not there to make money out of cars – we’re just there to supply the best finance package, buts it’s the overall process that a client gets to enjoy that they just walk away and go: ‘I wish we’d done that before’.”

Colin Bower and Rob Price are Driveline business consultants here in the Bay of Plenty and have nearly 40 years’ experience combined in the industry. “Colin and Rob work really hard on a one-on-one basis to work out exactly what a client wants,” says Lance. “We’re there to provide the best overall package that suits their business whether they are big or small.”

Driveline Finance’s website has every vehicle make and model available along with lease rates. For more information, see their advert

info@redeyedesign.co.nz www.redeyedesign.co.nz

Georgia Minkhorst

BOP Driveline business consultants Rob Price and Colin Bower, ready to lease your business some vehicles.

Photo: John Borren.

Massage therapy you can delight in!

The team at Thai Touch is delighted that clients have voted it Tauranga’s Most Trusted Massage Therapy in the 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards.

And it is grateful beyond measure to clients for their support through the past three roller-coaster years. Directors Orasa and Nigel Banks describe the past few years of operating – and what clients of Thai Touch have to look forward to in the near future.

“In 2020 customers surged back in numbers that we had no right to expect after each lockdown.

“You touched, puzzled, humbled and delighted us every time!

“In 2021 our access to new therapists shrank to zero as borders remained closed. Team members trained as therapists over several months to help meet customer demand.

“In 2022 Thai Touch breathed New Zealand’s biggest post-pandemic sigh of relief as the borders

re-opened! These past weeks, we’ve taken in 12 extraordinary new therapists from Thailand.

“Thankfully, the ‘So sorry, we’re fully booked’ times are finally behind us – well, most days!”

In 2023 Thai Touch will open a new studio with

Trusted on jobs big and small

14 therapy rooms near Farmers in the heart of Downtown Tauranga. “From fall 2023, you’ll be able to access more than 50 Thai Touch therapists across our three studios in Tauranga City. No matter about gloomy global forecasts, you can always progress towards your best self. For now, we’re set to support

you through a glorious summer –9am-9pm seven days a week, apart from public holidays. Watch out for Christmas massage vouchers deals.

“Call the Mount Studio on: 021 575 094 before end November.

“Thank you Tauranga for voting us your Most Trusted team of massage therapists. It means the world to us!”

Keeping your home well maintained is not only a necessity for your comfort, but also protects your investment in the long term.

The team at First Call Construction is a safe pair of hands for your new house build or renovation. And they’ve just been named Tauranga’s Most Trusted Construction Company in the 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards for the second year running.

Exceptional service

Licensed building practitioner Sam Meichtry prides himself on exceptional customer service and attention to detail when it comes to renovating your old or new home.

The First Call team specialise in jobs big and

small – from home handyman jobs through to commercial buildings including houses, decks, retaining walls, renovations, poured concrete, laid vinyl, laid blocks and much more. They also do project management and can supply all sub-trades.

Make life easier

“We’re here to make your life easier when it comes to all areas of construction,” says Sam.

“We have experience with general renovations like bathrooms, kitchens, full renovations and fencing, as well as new builds. We can help you with all of your building needs and more.”

Call them today for a friendly chat, quote, or to arrange a time for someone to look at your project. See their advert on this page.

Jayda is one of 12 new therapists who’ve joined the team of therapists at Thai Touch these past weeks.

Sam Meichtry.

Choose the dependable 3D printing team

A combination of experience and service has seen 3Design once again win the Most Trusted 3D Printing in Tauranga accolade in the 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards, according to owners Chad Vorwerk and Jonathan Zyzalo.

Their company 3Design is a specialist in prototyping and Additive Manufacturing (or AM) technologies, offering great 3D printing services for plastic products.

A number of post-Covid effects, including soaring inflation and supply chain shortages, have forced manufacturers to explore reshoring

production, say Chad and Jonathan.

“3Design has helped customers find components suitable for 3D printing in terms of function, quality, speed, cost and business agility.

“There is still a fair bit of company education around AM awareness needed despite the technology nearly being 40 years old.”

Chad and Jonathan are more than happy to help with finding the right AM solution with 30-plus years’ industry experience between them.

Adding value

“The key is finding areas where AM adds value –for example: weight saving, complexity, assembly consolidation, and digitisation of spare parts to name a few.”

The duo say AM can help with fast iterations of prototypes and bridge production from tens to thousands of units often with shorter lead times than traditional manufacturing.

Experience to match

“3Design often receive a part that’s already been designed for injection molding. 3Design has the experience to match it closely with a similar material and AM technology that will meet the part specification closely.”

And with their skills in Design for AM (DfAM), they can also offer suggestions to a part design to optimise printing costs.

Trusted to only produce the best!

CS Signhouse are multi award-winning signwriters with more than 40 years of experience.

They design, produce and install all shapes and sizes of signage from large, illuminated building signage to vehicle wraps to wayfinding to flags.

And they’ve just won Most Trusted Signage Company in Tauranga in 2022’s Most Trusted Business Awards.

Highly skilled

Formerly Computastyle Signs, they have a long list of loyal clients from nationwide corporates to local SMEs, clubs and charities.

Their highly skilled team

hold a simple philosophy – they treat their customers and their projects in the same way they’d want to be treated. They’re customers too.

Husband-and-wife owners Iain and Louise Chapman come from corporate marketing and government senior leadership backgrounds.

Quality

“We have a love for brands and for running highlyeffective, professional teams. We understand the importance of effective signage and customer service – and we’ve built a team of professional, reliable and highly skilled experts, producing only the highest standard and quality of signage.”

CS Signhouse’s expert signwriter Desmond assembling a custom building sign made from CNC routed sinex, ACM and neon.

Jonathan Zyzalo of 3Design at a trade show this year.

Marathon goes the extra mile for all clients’ needs

Marathon Visual Media has all your graphics and communication needs covered – whether print or digital (electronic) – and they’re trusted by clients to do the mahi (work) on budget and on time.

Both arms of the Taurangabased business won accolades at this year’s Most Trusted Business Awards.

The Marathon-owned franchise Printing.com Tauranga took Tauranga’s Most Trusted Print Services title, while Marathon Visual Media itself grabbed the Runners Up Tauranga’s Most Trusted Print Services honour.

Best print technology

Owner Steve Harwood says Marathon Visual Media holds the franchise for printing.com for the Tauranga area. “This is our retail-facing arm, part of a nationwide network providing the best in print technology through our production hub in Wellington.

“Printing.com looks after SME business clients, local authors and people with a one-off print project.

“Marathon Visual Media is the main driver of the business and services a wide variety of local business and corporate clients plus partners with local government throughout the central North Island to fill their print and digital communication needs.”

Steve says the double-win is a massive coup for Marathon’s eight staff who work across the business. “Apart from being thrilled to be winners

it also reinforces that the products and especially the service we deliver for our customers is the right fit for them.”

One-stop shop

Steve says Marathon Visual Media has diversified into one-stop-shop provider for everything graphics and communication related – both digital and print.

“Any which-way clients want to send stuff out, we’ll do it for them. We can get information out to everyone.” And they’re trusted to do it too!

The perfect cover for your place

Awnings & Covers pride themselves on superior customer service and quality products.

Often praised for providing excellence in the four P’s: people, product, process and price – they’ve now been named Bay of Plenty’s Most Trusted Awnings and Covers business in the 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards.

Custom-design

The Tauranga company has more than 35 years’ experience in custom designing, manufacturing and installing Alu-Lite canopies, retractable awnings, shade sails and outdoor curtains.

Winning the Awnings & Covers category for two consecutive years is a reflection of their longevity and great customer service, says administrator Farrah Williams.

Sent nationwide

She believes customer satisfaction is key to their. Manufactured here in Tauranga, products are fitted by the Awnings & Covers team or by installers around New Zealand. They can be ordered as a kitset and sent to most nationwide destinations. Check out Awnings & Covers’ advert on this page.

The Awnings and Covers team installing a shade sail.

Steve Harwood and his staff at Marathon Visual Media are Tauranga’s Most Trusted Print Services team. Photo: John Borren.

Overall win goes to Paws and Play!

The 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards’ theme to emerge this year is how much trust is involved in animal and pet care with the overall winners being Paws and Play – Tauranga Doggy Day Care.

Paws and Play – Tauranga Doggy Day Care also nabbed the regional award for Tauranga’s Most Trusted Company for 2022!

Paws and Play is a trusted doggy daycare based at 100 Maleme St, Tauranga City, offering a range of services suitable for dogs –big and small, young and old.

Love and care

Paws and Play managing director Renee Mabey believes what makes them a trusted doggy daycare is their staff’s genuine love and care about what they do.

“It’s also down to the bonded relationships our staff have with the dogs and their families. They make sure the environment is right for your dog and work with you to get the best outcomes.”

Feel at home!

Renee and her team absolutely love what they do – whether it’s in the dog daycare or the dog boarding service at Paws and Play.

“We make sure all of our pet guests cared for and loved in a force-free and positive environment so both you and your pooch will feel at home!”

If interested in doggy daycare at Paws and Play, feel welcome to bring your dog in for a free initial assessment. “The initial assessment is an opportunity for us to meet your dog and determine if they will enjoy their time with us,” says Renee. Learn about the assessments at: pawsandplay.co.nz/services

Bespoke benchtops you won’t believe

for all budgets and create ‘Bespoke’ pieces which stand us out from the rest.

Ahead of the game

“Being a big part of the commercial and residential space, our up-to-date machinery enables Pacific Stone to be ahead of the game to meet deadlines and commitments, which can be challenging in today’s market.

“Each team member plays a crucial role within Pacific Stone to make a difference ‘as it’s not about the role – it’s always about the goal’.”

If you desire a benchtop that will stand out from the rest – and you want to know the team that make it, and pride themselves on quality workmanship and honest hard work – call Pacific Stone.

The Tauranga-based stone benchtop manufacturer has been named New Zealand’s Most Trusted Stone Benchtops Manufacturer in 2022’s Most Trusted Business Awards.

“To be honest this is humbling to be nominated; we are a no-nonsense business that prides ourselves on our quality workmanship and honest hard work,” says residential sales manager Paula Williamson. The supplier and fabricator of natural and engineered stone, ultra-compact and porcelain surfaces – catering to NZ’s domestic and commercial market – was also a Most Trusted award-winner in 2021. “Pacific Stone sets excellence and quality standards in all aspects of our projects from templating through to installation,” says Paula. “We value all customers and clients and welcome referrals as a result.

“We are importers of our own collection – which is unique to us, therefore is unique to the client.”

Experience in spades

Their showroom and factory at 51-53 Koromiko St houses almost 200 years’ worth of collective industry experience. “This level of skills and experience allows us to produce benchtop surfaces

SBA specialise in providing business accounting, bookkeeping, taxation and payroll services.

SBA Tauranga were runners up - Most Trusted Accounting Firm in Tauranga 2022. www.sba.co.nz/tauranga

Pacific Stone’s benches and splashback at the Landmark Taupō Showhome. Cabinetry by Detailed Joinery.

Dogs just have fun at Paws and Play - overall winners of 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards.

Trust is earned – and it means a lot!

The Auctus New Zealand team is delighted to have won the NZ Wide Brand Winner and NZ’s Most Trusted Accountancy Firm in the 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards.

“For Auctus, trust is earned and therefore these titles mean a lot to us,” says Auctus Bay of Plenty associate Jaco Kapp.

“It is a direct representation of what we mean to our clients and the importance of the work we do together with them to grow their business.”

Growth

The word Auctus is Latin for growth, or to be greater. “We see it to be a leading chartered accounting firm that assist businesses with their growth challenges and navigating the business journey.”

Steve and Siobhan Mundy founded Auctus in 2012, with the first office in Hamilton,

by challenging the status quo and perception of chartered accountancy and the service to businesses. Fast-forward a few years and multiple offices are located across the North Island.

Forward-thinking

“At Auctus, we’re a team of forward-thinking chartered accountants always looking at innovative ways to help our clients.

“Accounting Software leader, Xero, has recognised our effort by choosing Auctus NZ as a finalist for the Xero Awards 2022 in the category, Large Accounting Partner of the Year.

“It’s another feather in our cap that we’re successfully guiding businesses to success.”

The team at Auctus Bay of Plenty look after a wide range of clients in different stages of their business journey, with a people focus – “engaging with you, investing our time in your success and supporting you and your business every step of the way”.

Building your home with integrity

Thorne Group is delighted to have been recognised for a second year running in the Most Trusted Business Awards – awarded the 2022 Most Trusted Home Builder for the Bay of Plenty.

“As a locally owned and operated family business, word of mouth and testimonials are of great importance to us. We are humbled and grateful to have such amazing clients who have taken the time to vote and share something of their experience with us,” says director Aaron Thorne.

Exceed expectations

“Our company vision is to ‘Exceed Expectations Everytime’ and applies to the homes we build, our quality, our service and our people. Awards like this, backed by client votes, recognises the effort across

the entire team that goes into achieving our vision.” Staying true to their vision means Thorne Group limit the number of building projects they undertake in order to provide each client with the attention they deserve.

Honest

“The hardest thing is to say ‘no’ to people, particularly if they have had a bad experience in the past. But sometimes saying ‘no’ is necessary, not only to maintain our quality standards, but to enable us to deliver on the promises we make.

“At all stages, particularly in relation to pricing, we will always be honest and won’t hide things away.

“Integrity starts from the moment we first meet our client and continues long after they move in,” says Aaron.

Jaco Kapp, Jenny Jones, Odelle Welsh and Rachelle Shilston.

The team at Thorne Group.

Accolades to ROAR about!

Tauranga’s ROAR Pet Food has been named Overall RunnersUp in the 2022 Most Trusted Business Awards – plus they’ve claimed the Most Trusted Raw Meats for Pets in New Zealand brand title, and Most Trusted Raw Meats for Pets in the Bay of Plenty.

ROAR Pet Food puts ROAR’S wins – which are determined by clients’ reviews – down first and foremost to their family-orientated focus, which includes their dogs!

“From the moment ROAR Pet Food was started it’s been a family-run business – in everything we do, family comes first. And for us, dogs are family – that’s how we’ve got to where we are today,” says Kim Nuttall.

“Even our staff are family – and we take pride in the all-natural products we produce for pet owners and their furry family members.”

All natural

ROAR’s processing manager Luke Nuttall says the award wins show ROAR has kept to its original nutrition-based aim. “We started small, and we wanted to create an all-natural diet for pets.

“We still do – because we believe an all-natural diet prevents many issues dogs suffer from today.”

Luke says ROAR Pet Food is natural all the way from the start. “We use free-range, hormonefree, antibiotic-free chickens. All venison, rabbit

and goat meat used is NZ-wild.

“Plus all other red meat we use is free from veterinary medicines or nasties.”

Best diets

Vegetables used in products are spray-free – whether purchased or grown in Luke’s own garden. “My expertise is creating specialised diets for dogs that prevent issues, such as skin irritation, digestion etc.

“Winning 2022’s Most Trusted Overall RunnersUp award is our customers telling us that we’re producing the best diets for their dogs.”

Matahui – most trusted school again!

Matahui School has once again been voted the Most Trusted school in the Tauranga/ Mount Maunganui region for the 2022 Business Awards.

This is Matahui School’s fourth year receiving Most Trusted school – an award that is based on public voting and reviews.

Principal Mary Woods says the school is extremely proud and “it is a great achievement to receive it four years running”.

Love of learning

“With Matahui you get exactly what is advertised.

“Our parents are confident in the education we provide. They trust in us, and it’s proven through our teachers and staff, their love of learning, and how they instil this into our students.”

Matahui School is an independent primary

school that provides individualised learning, small class sizes, and education outside the classroom programme that not only allows each student to achieve their best academically but also helps build the skills they need for life.

Matahui is a school that understands and embraces diversity and the progressive curriculum caters to a wide range of abilities from gifted children to neurodiverse learners.

Enrolments

“Rather than try and fit our students into a system, we have designed our curriculum and school systems around our students’ needs and interests,” says Mary.

“Parents are seeing the results, which is one of the many reasons why Matahui School has again won this award.” The school is currently taking enrolments for 2023.

MATAHUI SCHOOL

Principal Mary Woods with Matahui School students.

Some of the ROAR Pet Food family. Photo: John Borren.

Build your new home with confidence

Signature Homes Bay of Plenty & Coromandel pride themselves on providing clients with a bespoke experience, building homes that feel uniquely theirs.

Owners Debbie and Craig Williams know a thing or two about building beautiful Kiwi homes –they’ve been doing so in the region for more than 26 years.

Benefits of building new

Many homebuyers end up spending lots of time and energy searching for their perfect home, often having to compromise on their ‘must-haves’. That’s why building new has a significant advantage – you’re much more likely to get precisely what you want with a new build. This results in the

opportunity to create a space that’s perfectly in tune with your lifestyle – whether you’re

starting a family, downsizing for retirement, or somewhere in between.

Enjoy a warmer, healthy home

A lot of the moisture in a house comes from shower steam causing foggy mirrors, wet walls and ceilings, and worn-out paint, which can add significant costs to house maintenance.

A dry warm home is also a healthy home, as damp surfaces are the perfect place for fungus and bacteria to grow, which can cause serious health problems.

Showerdome reduces these problems, controlling steam, reducing condensation and making the home healthier and warmer.

Showerdome is a clear acrylic dome that simply attaches to the shower cubicle top to prevent steam forming in the bathroom.

Steam happens when warm moist air mixes with cold air, so it acts as a barrier between those two air masses. Showerdome is a Kiwi invention and the company is proudly New Zealand owned and operated.

Research conducted by the University of Waikato proves

a Showerdome, when used correctly, can pay for itself within two years. The study estimated heating a bathroom for half-an-hour per day with a 2.4kw electric heater costs around $100 a year, while using a 0.15kw heated towel rail for 12 hours per day costs around $156 a year.

A Showerdome costs $339 plus installation of around $150. For more information or local dealers, visit: www.showerdome.co.nz

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having access to your own team of experts who will be with you every step of the way. Signature Homes Bay of Plenty & Coromandel takes care of all the nuts and bolts, so, you can relax and be confident your build is in good hands from start to finish.

On-time, on budget, with no nasty surprises, and New Zealand’s most

comprehensive building guarantees –including their fixed price guarantee.

Ready to get started?

Wherever you are in your building journey, the team can help.

Contact Signature Homes Bay of Plenty & Coromandel on: 0800 102 105 or visit: signature.co.nz for information.

The Weekend Sun has one DIY Showerdome kit to give away, valued at $339, for one lucky reader who can tell us how long it would take a Showerdome to pay for itself.

Installation can be DIY or a local installer is available at standard pricing of around $150. Enter online at: www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. Entries must be received by Nov 29.

You don’t have to compromise on your ‘must-haves’ when building new with Signature Homes BOP. Photo: supplied.

Remedial work to keep plants and house healthy

Tauranga’s Tropical Display House is undergoing a much-needed renovation to keep both the building and the plants inside healthy.

Work began on the renovation on October 31 and is expected to be completed within five-to-six weeks, weather-dependent.

Currently closed off as a worksite, with steel fencing and scaffolding up, Tauranga City

Council’s manager: spaces and places Sarah Pearce hopes to be able re-open the house to the public early-December.

New cladding and roof

“Old polycarbonate cladding is being replaced and new Ampelite Thermoclear Twinwall roofing and wall panels, jointers, flashings, rubber seals and fixings are being installed.”

Sarah says the work is needed with the house’s old polycarbonate cladding deteriorating and discolouring “causing low light levels to impact on the health of the plants”.

“The timber in the roof was also starting to rot, so it was time for it to be replaced.”

The cost to repair the house is approximately $80,000 and funding has come from council’s Parks Community Building Renewals budget.

Sarah says the Tauranga’s Tropical Display House is much-loved by many in our community.

“We want to maintain this building for everyone to enjoy, and ensure a safe and healthy environment for the plants.

“The polycarbonate cladding was last done in 2007, and while it can last up to 15 years, the average lifespan on a greenhouse is 10 years.”

Tauranga’s Tropical Display House is a botanical wonderland right in the city – in fact some see it as a hidden sanctuary with fellow residents not realising it’s even there.

“Since 2015, our people-counters have

clocked approximately 1500/2000 visitors per month in the winter, and up to 4000 visitors per month in the summer.”

Species within

Sarah says the house displays approximately 40 species per season in the display, which are changed every three months in-line with the seasons.

“These plants are mostly common but interesting indoor/house plants like Calatheas, Fittionias and Bromeliads and also a collection of ferns – so seven-eight species per bench of flowering plants, foliage and ferns.

Begonias are displayed when in flower from late-spring through to summer.

The orchid cabinet has mainly Moth, Slipper and Cymbidium orchids.

“We also have less common species like Caladenia (spider) orchids and Dendrobium. We have some carnivorous plants like Nepenthes (pitcher plants) and Venus-fly-trap.

“The in-ground and living walls house around 30 species including golden passionfruit, pineapple, banana palms, coffee plant, paw-paw, species of gingers, heliconias and large staghorn fern.

“And we do have a rare Stinkhorn lily that is displayed when in flower.”

Sarah says the tropical house team is always on the lookout for new species of interesting or rare plants to add to the collection.

Find out more at: www.tauranga.govt.nz/exploring/parksand-reserves/parks/robbins-park

Tauranga chippie places in top ranks

Tauranga’s Joshua Shoebridge, 23, has come third at the NZ Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge sponsored by ITM.

Whangarei’s Joshua Welsh, 27, took first place, and Wellington’s Petros Vrahasotakis, 27, came second.

The Apprentice Challenge National Final took place at NZCB’s annual conference in Hamilton on November 18-19, where 19 regional finalists from across the country competed for the top prize.

Apprentices were judged on examples of their work, dedication towards their apprenticeship, and a presentation to more than 650 NZCB

member builders attending the conference.

NZCB chief executive Malcolm Fleming says this year’s competition was a great opportunity to celebrate emerging talent in this crucial sector of the economy.

“With the building industry still experiencing the effects of Covid-19, from material supply issues and labour shortages, and also the impacts of climate change, the conference was a chance to reflect on the past year and share invaluable workshops on topics such as about health and safety, the use of technology and systems, to increase efficiency and output.”

Joshua Shoebridge came home with a $5000 prize pack.

Tauranga’s Tropical Display House is receiving a much-needed renovation and hopefully will re-open early-December for summer. Photo: John Borren.

Greerton’s getting in the spirit

It’s all go in Greerton in the lead-up to Christmas! First of all, we’re running a ‘Random Acts of Christmas’ promotion this holiday season in Greerton Village, where participating businesses will select a random shopper to give a gift to. Shop in Greerton from November 28 to December 18 and you could win a present –just for shopping in Greerton. The gifts will vary from shop to shop, so shop at your favourites to be in to win.

Next up is our Christmas Around The Tree event. This free community event will feature The Whittakers, Inachord, United Greenpark School Choir, a Christmas elf, face painting from Two Little Pixies Face Painter, Tauranga Moana Dancers from Greenpark School – and, of course, Santa with lollies for the kids.

This is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, and will be held in the Village Square in

front of Greerton Library on Friday, December 2 from 5pm.

Our wet weather contingency is Greerton Hall but we’re hoping for clear skies that day! Some seating will be available, but feel free to bring your own chair or cushion to make your experience that much more comfortable.

More details on this event can be found at: facebook.com/ greertonvillage And I do want to mention in advance our Yarn Bombing for next year.

We’ve already decided on the theme –Waterways of the World – and we can’t wait to see what creative installations we get! The yarn bombing is open to everyone regardless of skill level, and there will be groups ready to teach if you want to learn. To express your interest or for more information, contact Chrissy at: greertonyarnbombing@gmail.com or you can phone/text her on: 021 209 7008.

Greerton Village will be twinkling for Christmas very soon.

Blues? Folk? Try sci-fi psych-rock...

tours and 2023 promises further tours of Australia, France, Germany and Europe. If you’re unfamiliar with his dynamic style of blues have a look at: youtube.com/ watch?v=TuuLGKrIzy0 – that’s basically what

accompanied by just acoustic guitar and foot percussion on a

Jam Factory (Friday, December 2) when Auckland sci-fi psych-rock duo Ripship is showing off their debut album ‘Fearsome Engine’ which is due out December 16. They’ll be joined by post-punk trio Swallow The Rat, also from Auckland, who is currently touring in support of their ‘Other Rooms/Realised’ single which is out this week. The shows starts 7pm and costs $15.

Wasted Space, Tallulah, Videl, Taylah Mederios, James Ferns, Abbie Jacob, Venus Project, OCD, Big Angry, Their There, Soundwave, Markus Mossert, The Carol Power Vocal Group and AMOK.

It kicks off 2pm and is completely free, with support from the Wright Family Foundation, Papamoa College and Mauao Performing Arts Centre.

Right. I’ve had a couple of weeks off from local music; let’s remount the horse...

There is, as you might expect, an absolute glut of eclectic live music occurring right now as singers, bands and musicians of all stripes rush to get one more gig in before Christmas – or at least before everyone is too distracted by the upcoming wave of pre-Christmas functions.

So let’s look ahead to next weekend.

This won’t be chronological: one of the events involves multiple performers and needs a list, so I’ll save that for later.

First, Grant Haua is back in town. Or will be. Tauranga’s latest international blues superstar has spent the last couple of months on an Arts On Tour tour. Yes, that’s the same type of tour that the misguided minds at Creative New Zealand are trying to axe. Grant has been round most of the country, 35 dates starting from October 20.

He’s now back in the North Island and after a couple of stops – New Plymouth, Raglan –will be hitting the Omokoroa Boat Club on Sunday, December 4, for a 4pm gig. This is a rare OBC show open to the general public as well as members. Tickets, from the Boat Club or Eventfinda, are $25 (or $20 for OBC members).

Grant has been a busy man since signing to French label Dixiefrog. He recently returned from a couple of extended European promotional

Bums, bits and boobs will be bared as local do-gooders get cracking to raise funds for breast cancer this December. That’s right – it’s the Nude Dude Swim 2022 on Tuesday, December 6 – where brave-hearted locals are invited to bare all and swim 100 metres for a good cause – in the nude.

Service manager Helen Alice from Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust says the charity adopted the idea after being inspired by the Sydney Skinny. “What I loved about it is it was a real celebration of your body no matter what its shape and form and that was really bought home to me by two women who had both had mastectomies – they were participating in the nude swim and really enjoying it.”

The Nude Dude Swim fundraiser is for ages

Next up is I believe the third time of writing about these guys, but musical history trio Wheel of Experience is bringing their show to town yet again and this visit, on Saturday, December 3, at The Jam Factory, with hopes not to be postponed yet again by Covid.

To recap: Wheel Of Experience is a trio who present something between theatre and a concert, bringing New Zealand history to life through songs. Led by Peter Daubé’s vocals, and accompanied by multi-instrumentalists David Ward (Indian ink Theatre Company) and Dave Khan (Reb Fountain, Marlon Williams) the band create something of a musical journey, with songs that range from ballads to sea shanty, from bluegrass to blues. This involves a huge array of acoustic instruments including banjo, fiddle, mandolin, cigar-box slide, banjolin and the Chinese zhongruan, or ‘moon guitar’, as well as a bunch of harmony singing.

Fun Fact: banjo player David Ward wrote the music and taught Benedict Cumberbatch for the Oscar-winning film ‘Power of the Dog’. Things start 7pm and cost $30.

Ripship

And what with variety being the spice of life ‘n’ all I should mention the previous night at the

18-plus and will be discrete. “We have it at an undisclosed location and it’s a non-spectator event just to make it feel safe for people – it can be quite exposing taking your clothes off so to speak.

“There’s lots of nervous laughter as they’re all in this together.

“Most of the people are doing it because they know someone who’s had breast cancer and they want to support the local charity – and we always have people who have had breast cancer themselves participating.”

Funds raised from this cheeky charity swim will go directly to Breast Cancer Service Tauranga Trust – providing emotional and practical support for people with breast cancer.

Sign up for the swim, sponsor a friend or whanau member taking part or donate at: www.nudedude.org.nz

Georgia Minkhorst

And one more thing from that weekend. At Totara Street on December 4 it’s ‘The College Music Co+Lab’. This is a chance to hear musical acts from colleges around the Bay, our very own stars of the future. There’s a fantastic line-up and I’m happy to name everyone: Indigo, Radiation, Lit, Blaze, Slimpepper,

And, coming up... if you’re a fan of local singer/songwriter Anthony Coulter, he has a new album ready to go that was born out of his love for the sea. He’ll be showcasing ‘Pilgrimage to the Sea’ at Cruise Deck on Maunganui Rd on Sunday, December 18. In the meantime I’ll be listening and reviewing it.

Ripship.

Grant Haua.

Nude

Photo: Alana Dresner.

Modern art celebrating Year of the Tiger

We’ve got our eye on the tiger at Tauranga Historic Village this year thanks to the Chinese assigning 12 animals on a 12-year cycle, making 2022 the Year of the Tiger.

A stunning array of banners will be on display at Tauranga Historic Village this weekend, giving the public an exciting and colourful glimpse into traditional Chinese folk art and symbolising how 2022, the Year of the Tiger, is a year when great evil can be driven out.

Those born during a Tiger Year are said to possess some of the qualities of the animal itself, including courageous, assertive and natural leaders. Notable celebrities born in a Tiger Year include Queen Elizabeth II, Lady Gaga and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The tiger embodies courage and bravery, with the Year of the Tiger symbolising resilience and strength – even in times of struggle.

Refreshing change

For those who celebrate Lunar New Year, the occasion marks a pivot towards refreshingly good change. While the world has experienced several difficult pandemic years, Chinese mythology dictates that the Year of the Tiger offers hope amid the challenges, with the pandemic being regarded as the evil to be driven out.

Showcasing Chinese culture through art is helping strengthen local connections and understanding between the Tauranga Chinese community and the wider Tauranga population.

As coordinators of the art project, NZ China Friendship Society Tauranga president Tina Zhang

and event co-organiser Lin Ma are managing a range of initiatives relating to the two-day pop-up exhibition in the Village Hall.

“We are celebrating 2022 being the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese calendar by holding an exhibition called ‘One Hundred Tigers’,” says Tina.

Modern Chinese artist

The exhibition, on November 26-27, will showcase the work of Chinese artist Lu Zhang who spent her Covid-19 isolation period in 2020 drawing 100 tigers to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.

“She put many Chinese traditional folk craft techniques into their own ‘hundreds of tiger project’ series of works, expressing her free mind though creativity,” says Tina.

“Making the pictures full of cheerful works and presenting a strong rural, traditional art.”

Tina says Lu Zhang is a Chinese modern young artist who graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and is now working in the Visual Communication Design Department of Easton Academy of Fine Arts in Zhengzhou - University of Light Industry.

“Her work ‘Hundred Tigers Project’ retains the unique spirit and aesthetic value of Chinese culture while presenting the characteristics of modernism, which is popular in China.”

Admission to the ‘One Hundred Tigers’ exhibition is free, from 10am4pm on this weekend, November 26-27 at the Village Hall, Tauranga Historic Village.

Vicar of Dibley helping charity

A night out enjoying the Vicar of Dibley’s parishioners’ antics while helping raise funds for the Graeme Dingle Foundation is being served up by Te Puke Repertory’s cast and crew this week.

“The theatre always does a charity night during a show,” says the theatre’s front of house manager Juliette Brawn.

“Proceeds from ticket sales on Wednesday, November 30, will go to the Graeme Dingle Foundation.”

Juliette and husband Jack Brawn, who is playing Hugo in the play, have been mentors for the youth charity.

The Vicar of Dibley play – based on the hilarious TV series – opens in Te Puke at Litt Park Theatre with a gala night on November 29 and runs to December 10. The story follows the lives of the somewhat eccentric parishioners of the country village of Dibley and their vicar the Rev Geraldine Granger.

“It is a wonderful working with a cast that are really embracing the quirky nature of folk of Dibley. “We are taking the much-loved characters and making them our own.”

To purchase the November 30 charity night tickets, which include supper, phone: 0275614170 email: Picking_daisies@kinect.co.nz or head to Giftrapt in Te Puke. Tickets to other show nights are on EventPronto or at Giftrapt.

Director Michelle Cliff has gathered an eclectic group of actors.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Tina Zhang and Lin Ma, with colourful artworks to be on show at this weekend’s ‘One Hundred Tigers’ exhibition. Photo: John Borren.

Some of the cast of Vicar of Dibley on-stage. Photo: supplied.

Painting Hallelujah with voice

Let yourself be captivated by the angelic melodies and harmonies with a powerful live performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’.

As an annual tradition in Tauranga, this showcase of mesmerising vocal talent is the perfect way to celebrate this New Zealand Christmas. The dramatic music is full of vivid ‘painting’ and encompasses the range of human emotion, ‘the hopes and fears of all the years’ – particularly relevant with recent global events.

You will hear the work presented with all the energy and lightness Handel intended in a dynamic collaboration between Scholars Baroque Aotearoa Chamber Choir and NZ Barok Orchestra as if it were conducted by himself!

It is said King George II was so moved by

Messiah’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ that he rose to his feet upon hearing it. For nearly three centuries crowds continue to gather to hear the sheer beauty of the music, standing to acknowledge the power of the Hallelujah!

Get along with your friends and whānau and be moved, delighted and inspired by this seventh annual performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in our wonderful city.

Scholars Baroque Aotearoa Chamber Choir and NZ Barok Orchestra will perform Handel’s ‘Messiah’ on Saturday, December 3, at St Mary Immaculate Church in Tauranga at 7.30pm.

Tickets: $35 adult, $30 senior, $15 student with ID are available at i-Site (103 The Strand), online at: iticket.co.nz, by phone: 0508 484 253 or as cash-only door sales until sold out.

Conquering Mauao and disabilities

Tauranga City Council and Parafed Bay of Plenty are celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities with a family fun day and an opportunity for people to travel to the summit of Mauao or HopukioreMount Drury in the all-terrain wheelchair Te Kaiwhakatere – TrailRider.

As well as finding out how Te Kaiwhakatere – TrailRider works, the community can come along to Hopukiore – Mount Drury Reserve on Saturday, December 3, from 10am-5pm to enjoy live music, adaptive yoga and CrossFit, and ocean activities and beach games on Mount Maunganui Main Beach.

With help of whānau, friends and volunteers, four people will be taken to the summit of Mauao on the day, while others will have the opportunity to take a shorter trip to the summit of HopukioreMount Drury.

Te Kaiwhakatere – TrailRider is a motorised, single-wheeled mobility transport supporter which supports the rider’s weight with helpers to guide the rider up and down tracks. It is free to use and can be booked through council’s website or in person at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.

With 27 per cent of people in the Bay of Plenty identifying as living with a disability, council purchased the TrailRider in 2020 to give more people an opportunity to move about easily and safely without being limited by the environment.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy and play a full and active part in our city. Te Kaiwhakatere – TrailRider is a great way to access some of the more hard-to-reach spots and we’d love to see more people using it,” says TCC community development team leader Dani Jurgeleit.

For more information and to book TrailRider, visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/trailrider

Amanda Lowry was able to travel to the summit of Mauao with whānau and friends with the help of Te Kaiwhakatere – TrailRider.

Scholars Baroque Aotearoa Chamber Choir performing in September’s concert, ‘Fauré Requiem’.

Photo: Cynthia Qui.

Carla Jonasen Embalmer

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gardening

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wanted

OPERATIVE TAURANGA CITY PLAN – PLAN CHANGE 33 (ENABLING HOUSING SUPPLY) SUMMARY OF SUBMISSIONS AND CALL FOR FURTHER SUBMISSIONS 0 7 5 4 3 4 7 8 0 | l e g a cy f u n e ra l s.c o. n z @legacyfuneralsnz Keep the story alive.

The further submission period will close at 5:00pm Friday 9 December 2022. The submission summary and copies of the full submissions may be inspected during office hours at the following locations:

• Customer Service Centre, He Puna Manawa, 21 Devonport Road, Tauranga

• Tauranga City Council website: www.tauranga.govt.nz/housing-supply

• Tauranga libraries (Greerton, Papamoa and Mount Maunganui)

Further submissions can be made either via the online submission form on Council’s website (open from Monday 28 November 2022), via email to city.plan@tauranga.govt.nz or via post addressed to:

public notices financial

Manager: City Planning and Growth

Tauranga City Council

Freepost Authority Number 370 Private Bag 12022 Tauranga 3143

Further Submissions should be in the format of Form 6 of the Resource Management (Forms, Fees and Procedure) Regulations 2003. Further Submission forms are available from the Customer Service Centre or those other centres listed above and the Council’s website.

Further Submissions – Statutory Limitations and Requirements:

(a) A further submission must be limited to a matter in support of or in opposition to the original submission.

(b) Further submissions may only be made by the following persons:

• any person representing a relevant aspect of the public interest; and/or

• any person who has an interest in the proposed Plan Change that is greater than the interest of the general public;

Your submission should identify which of these categories you consider you fall within and the reasons why.

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But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD (Jonah 2:9) curriculum vitae

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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

Incubator about to HATCH!

The Incubator Creative Hub is celebrating a million things at once with a one-day showcase from 10am-3pm this Saturday, November 26, called HATCH. Because that’s what an incubator does. It incubates ideas until they hatch!

Saturday’s Hatch celebrations offer visitors an opportunity to see inside each of the creative spaces that the fall under the Incubator umbrella, with the event offering something for all.

The Incubator Creative Hub director Simone Anderson says Hatch will feature moving and static, sights and sounds across the day with live music, singers and DJs on the new outdoor stage, improv theatre, street performances, caricature drawings, pottery and painting demonstrations, food trucks, along with rock painting activities and a gnomemaking workshop.

Six new exhibitions

“Along with the entertainment, there will be six new art exhibitions including the very popular 114 exhibition. This event has run for several years now and always pulls a big crowd; it’s a rare chance to grab quality art from recognised artists at a stunning price. Not often you need crowd control for an exhibition but if previous years are any example, this will be a busy spot.”

Simone says The Incubator has been providing grassroots arts and creativity to Tauranga for nine years now. “From being a few artists based in our big red shed, we now umbrella a huge group of creatives working in a range of medium including everything from ceramics to photography,

fashion, fine arts, tōī Māori and film, throughout the Historic Village. We have so many visitors comment that they were surprised to discover the range of creativity that is available at village.”

Māori carving up-close

The open day will allow the public to see inside Te Whare Toi o te Moana – Whare Thompson’s whakairo workshop and

“If you have ever wanted to see Māori carving up-close, here is your chance. The old fire station building was upgraded by The Historic Village. The building upgrade will allow Whare and other master carvers the opportunity to run wānanga, for those new to carving and those wishing to extend their knowledge and skills, creating the new generation of craftsmen.” Visitors can get up close and personal with

Short doc films

And Village Cinema will screen a selection of short documentary films by Loading Docs. “Loading Docs is an amazing initiative that produces short documentaries that inspire and challenge audiences locally and internationally,” says cinema co-ordinator Melanie Mills.

“Their work has been watched by more than 17 million people, so it’s a huge privilege for us to be able to showcase their work.”

Hatch will also launch the Community Christmas Trees project.

“There’ll be so much happening on the day,” says Simone. Hatch 2022 is 10am-3pm Saturday, November 26, at The Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga. Entry is free.

Churches Active In Our Community Confidence for eternity

skilled at flying. I’m guessing if you knew this wasn’t so, you’d avoid the risk and find another flight. Of course, this is because your life and the lives of your loved ones are very important to you.

If you believe in God, gods or your own inherent immortality and are relying on such for ‘heaven’ I’m therefore also guessing you wouldn’t want to risk your trust being misplaced or being a delusion. You would not think it very wise just to make up your own ideas about God and the after-life.

The Bible gives me great confidence in putting my trust in Jesus Christ for eternal life. The Bible is an historical book containing supernatural elements many of which are verifiable by history and eyewitness testimony. This is especially true in relation to the Bible’s miraculous foretelling of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and the fulfilment of these things. With a wondrously reliable source of knowledge about God and the way of eternal salvation one does not have to put trust in one’s own subjective opinions or experiences. Also helpful, are meaningful experiences of God to enrich our life’s journey

along the way and to inspire our confidence in Him. If peace, joy and confidence in your future are what you’re seeking you can find these in Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

David Kidd - Church of God’s Love

Tauranga

Churches

BETH - EL la tyb

BETH - EL la tyb

SABBATH 10AM OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

SABBATH 10AM OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

021 768 043

021 768 043

ALL WELCOME SHALOM info@bethel.org.nz

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz

ALL WELCOME SHALOM info@bethel.org.nz

Village Cinema coordinator Melanie Mills and The Incubator’s Simone Anderson.

Photo: John Borren.