The Weekend Sun - 9 December 2022

Howzat? Howz what?

ey are a special breed – they are the umpires who preside over that wonderful and noble institution of cricket. It’s like a three-or-four-day chess game, or an intriguing novel unfolding on the village green. You either love the game, or you

hate it. And the umpires are people whose integrity cannot be questioned, but their eyesight often is – because not every decision they make is a popular one, or the right one. ey’re yelled at, laughed at, badgered and criticised. ey stand in

the full blaze of the sun, draped in white coats, wearing wide-brimmed white hats, rock formations behind the stumps before disappearing o to square leg. Backwards and forwards, hour in, hour out, weekend after weekend. It takes a special person.

What makes cricket umpires – like father-and-son umpires Kayden and Phil Reed (pictured) – tick? And why is there not enough cricket umpires in the Bay of Plenty? Hunter Wells’ career promotion for cricket umpiring is on page 10.

Photo: John Borren.

The gift of giving...

It was one of those charming and memorable moments – although

I didn’t appreciate it at the time.

It involved a Christmas gift – a powerful and thoroughly considered one.

Now… I was the second of two boys –I suspect I was meant to be a girl. at would have been the ideal nuclear u e down the warren – the buck, the doe and two u y tails. One of each.

When that didn’t happen, another boy arrived, and a fourth. at’s when mother resigned herself to a life of war comics, pools of boy piddle on the toilet oor, and an endless succession of ibbertigibbets as my old man called them – ighty young things who talked too much, or not at all.

And they would never be good enough for Mum’s boys.

Anyhow Mum’s disappointment ran quietly deep. She loved her boys but she would have gladly sacri ced a pair of football boots for just one frilly petticoat and some plaits.

Moment of genius

Dad understood it. And so the very next Christmas he produced his magnum opus, his inspired idea. It was a large, rectangular, perfectly-wrapped present for Mum – a print of Mary Cassatt’s famous ‘Sarah in a Green Bonnet’ – an impish, little red-head staring from the depths of this huge green hat. e note read: ‘ e little girl destiny decided we would never have’.

It worked. Mum’s lips quivered, the tears welled and she sobbed. Later I would catch Mum staring up at Sarah on the wall and re ecting what could have, should have been. e present that kept giving. en there are the crap gifts.

A friend made a desperate dash to the

Ware-Whare to get a present for his wife – a honey who had delivered him three lovely children and was long-su ering. I was there Christmas morning when she unwrapped the gift. Well, it unwrapped itself. It fell apart in a tangle of string and cardboard and coat hanger. She was gobsmacked, morti ed, and with a quaking voice asked the obvious: “What is it?” “A shoe rack,” replied husband, as if she couldn’t gure that for

de ne the terms of the marriage – my contribution to this relationship wasn’t going to be in the kitchen.” ere was some grown-up discussion, and the appliance was returned and replaced with something of sentiment. It was a close thing, but the couple remain a happy, adjusted, functioning unit.

Another bloke tested his wife’s love by giving her a squeegee when they had some novelty value many years ago. She cried. Husband didn’t understand. What the hell?

A mother got her daughter a jewellery box even though the mother knew her daughter didn’t wear jewellery, didn’t own any.

What was she thinking? Mother bought jewellery boxes for four other sisters and thought, by right, she should have one too.

“I use it for USB sticks,” says the irrepressibly positive friend.

She also has a box of unused or unusable Christmas presents like two books on end of time theology. She should read them soon. And no – she can’t on-gift them or give them away because of the “guilt thing”. My friend is too sensitive.

To hell with Christmas goodwill, unclutter girl!

Damned cats

herself. She could gure, she just didn’t want to. Cue tears of utter disbelief and disappointment. “Why John?... why?”

John didn’t know why. Moments later, wife marched onto the deck and hurled the o ending present into the garden below. e marriage didn’t survive.

Some presents are thought about, but not thought through. A smart thinking friend recalls her rst Christmas present as a married couple being a kitchen appliance. “Well that wasn’t going to

en there were the cats. Just because she owned a cat, just one cat, and she loved her cat the mother-in-law, bless her memory, thought cats were the only thing in her life. So at Christmas the cat-themed presents started rolling in –china mugs with cat images, oven mitts with cats on them, and cat earrings.

It was enough to give you fur balls.

Anyhow the cat gifts were given with immeasurable amounts of love and received the same way. Purr-fect.

My big turn-o at Christmas is a gift card. Someone doesn’t know what to buy you, so they pass the decision making problem on. at’s not Christmas goodwill, that’s not love.

IMPORTANT

The

e little girl we would never have...

Clients stung by closure

A Tauranga beauty business has abruptly closed down, leaving pre-paid clients hundreds of dollars out of pocket with no option to refund.

Meanwhile, another city-based beauty business is ful lling “thousands” of their outstanding bookings, with little compensation as an act of good for those impacted.

Nude Skin and Laser Clinic Tauranga was located at e Crossing until its sudden closure on November 21. Shape Studio, in Brook eld, is now taking on their outstanding appointments.

Since the closure, SunLive received reports from clients complaining the company had “cut-o communication” after sending an email stating it was closing, without any prior warning.

e closing email – sent out to the business’ client database – says impacts of Covid-19 and the “cost of doing business in the current economic climate” forced the Tauranga branch to close.

e email also states there’d be no refunds issued, and clients who wish to take up their appointments will have to travel to Hamilton. “We completely understand this decision may cause frustration and come as a surprise to many,” the email reads.

For former client Michelle Wells, frustration is an understatement. She is “about $300” paid for in treatments which she now can’t receive. “ ey then sent an email saying the services would have to be

redeemed in Hamilton with no option to refund.”

Michelle was blocked from Nude Skin and Laser Clinic’s social media after “trying to message them, and commenting on a few posts” as her and “many others” couldn’t nd time in their schedules to get to Hamilton for their bookings.

“I was trying to raise some awareness. Plenty of people I have spoken to did not receive their email, and only got given it once they had asked them what was going on. It’s like they were trying to pull the wool over our eyes.”

Tauranga Crossing centre manager Janet Vincent says the shopping complex is “disappointed with Nude Skin and Lasers actions to date, with particular reference to customer service”. “We are largely unable to comment regarding Nude Skin and Laser as the matter is with solicitors.”

A Consumer NZ spokesperson says it is “not reasonable” for the clinic owners to expect clients to travel to Hamilton. “Customers are well within their rights to expect a refund if the company cannot provide the service they advertised. If the business has vanished, customers could apply for a chargeback through their bank, assuming they paid by a credit or debit card. ere is a time limit on chargebacks so they would be best advised to pursue this option sooner rather than later.”

SunLive has made numerous attempts to contact Nude Skin and Laser Clinic but have had no response at the time of publication.

Read this story in full at: www.sunlive.co.nz

Taylor Rice

e empty Tauranga Nude Skin and Laser Clinic store.

Literal end to community resource – or is it?

Te Puna Community Library committee volunteers, assisted by Bethlehem Te Puna Lions, have had to sort and pack up around 7000 books before their library building is demolished on December 16.

Library chairperson David Parker says in March 2022 the MoE announced it would renovate the leaky library building, giving three days’ notice of the building closure to Te Puna School, where the library is based.

“ e Community Library members did not know about the closure until they turned up, as

Community funds

“It has been in existence for 20-plus years and provides a handy library locally for ction, nonction and magazines,” says volunteer Helen Parker. “We’ve had a JP in regular attendance until Covid hit. We’re now faced with another obstacle with the building about to be demolished by MoE.

“ e building was a school library, with fundraising in the community providing 60 per cent of funds to enlarge it for the community library, and a school tech department housing cooking and a computer study centre.”

Te Puna School principal Neil Towersey says the

A shock closure by the Ministry of Education to a loved community asset has left the Te Puna residents who funded it dismayed.

usual, to open the library and found it barricaded.” e library had been opening Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, providing a JP service and community hub.

Bethlehem Te Puna Lions helping to pack up the Te Puna Community Library. Photo: supplied.

“ e building itself is partly community-owned therefore the liability for repairs falls on the community,” says Neil. “ e MoE had agreed to remediate the building and were happy with

the original costings. But when they got into the nitty gritty and found there were big issues with drainage it went from cost viable to not viable.

“ e community part is greater than we could fundraise for.”

New committee

David says at June 2022’s AGM, a new committee and chairperson were elected with the aim of reopening the library after renovations and looking at giving the library a fresh new look.

“In August the MoE announced the cost of renovation had escalated due to drainage issues and the building would now be demolished.

“Initially there was hope the Community Library could be rehoused in a standalone school classroom but due to Ministry policy, this proposal never eventuated.”

e committee held an emergency public meeting in August where general consensus was to re-establish the library. “Once it became clear that there was no alternative building available for the

the Te Puna Community Library and start that process which will end with a public meeting in

library, the committee agreed to formally wind up the Te Puna Community Library and start that process which will end with a public meeting in 2023. Although the MoE had condemned the building, there was no de nite demolition date.

“Due to uncertainty, the committee felt it was imperative to remove the library books and shelves as soon as possible.” People were asked to return books by November 12 so they could be put into storage until it was decided what to do with them.

Neil says the building will be replaced by MoE with a school library but not a community space “which is really sad and unfortunate”.

What next?

Western Bay of Plenty District Council collects a targeted rate to assist in provision of library services to Te Puna community, says strategy and community general manager Rachael Davie. is goes to Te Puna Community Library Incorporated Society, which deliver the library service. Rachael says if the TPCL service was to wind up, the next Long Term Plan 2024-2034 could consider options for a future library service in Te Puna, if the community are supportive of this, or explore other options.

Read this story in full at www.sunlive.co.nz

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Te Puna Community Library chairperson David Parker.

Photo: John Borren.

ring for charity

Fists will be thrown in the ring this Saturday, December 10, for Bay Box t’s Base Up Battle of the Trades IV Corporate Boxing show.

is will be the fourth time Bay Box t has hosted the event – inviting tradies to step into the ring while raising money for charity.

Bay Box t’s will be donating to Gumboot Friday and I AM HOPE this year. “We chose them just to get that mental health awareness out there… because it’s huge here in New Zealand.

“We just need to make sure everyone’s more aware how bad it is here,” says Bay Box t director Gunnar Jackson.

“I’ve had a few ghts myself and now that I’ve retired, I’ve just wanted to give back.”

e event will showcase tradies putting their best glove forward and taking on the challenge of three two-minute rounds boxing against each other.

“We pretty much try to get a whole lot of rst-timers to give it a go, just to kick it o the bucket list.”

According to Gunnar, drain-layers and concretelayers are ones to look out for. “ ey’re the ones that pretty much dominate the show.”

Bay Box t has raised $30,000 for charity from previous years’ Battle of the Trades.

e Battle of the Trades IV is at Trustpower Arena, Mount Maunganui this Saturday, December 10.

e show starts 5pm and is a black-tie event. For remaining tickets, search ‘Battle of the Trades IV’ at: www.ticketbooth.co.nz

Get into a spooky-type of Christmas spirit...

If you’re nding it hard to let go of Halloween and transition into Christmas, an outdoor movie night might be exactly what you need.

Downtown Tauranga and Tauranga City Council are

putting on a free outdoor movie night on Tauranga Waterfront, where they will screen ‘ e Nightmare before Christmas’. Feel free to get settled in at 7pm next Friday, December 16, screening starts at sunset, about

7.30pm. Grab some dinner and treats from Downtown Tauranga, dress warm and bring a blanket to sit on! Co ee and popcorn will be available to purchase (cash only). e next cinema event is on Friday, January 27.

Helene Nihotte is ready to get in the ring this Saturday night.

Photo: John Borren.

Poroporoaki for Bobby - our fresh fish king

part of Bobby’s work ethics. He was a keen rugby player, playing for the Mount and Arataki clubs back when Arataki sports eld just had a shed. Ag says coaches put their hands in their own pockets to help support him because they “saw his potential and courage”.

About 10 years ago, Bobby was diagnosed with cancer, managing to ght it o until November when it returned for the nal

time. Bobby and Ag knew he was very ill. “We tried to keep to a normal life and go to work as usual, and he was working right up until the day before he died.”

Bobby has taken his nal barge trip to Matakana Island, where family, friends and old mates joined together to pay tribute to a man who knew how to spread great aroha along with legendary kai.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

e much-loved 68-year-old husband, father, grandfather and businessman passed away on Monday, following a near decade-long on-and-o again battle with cancer.

“I met Bobby when I was a BOP rugby referee in 1980s/1990s and Bobby was a senior rugby player for Arataki,” says funeral celebrant Mike Savage.

“I was in the motor trade for 23 years, Bobby bought his trucks o the company I was with.

“We’d also service their trucks, and that’s when I met Aggy in 1996.”

Seafood stalwart

Late-1996 was also when husband-and-wife team Bobby and Agnes Palmer opened their agship shop Bobby’s Fresh Fish Market on Tauranga’s waterfront. Today there are outlets in Pāpāmoa, Greerton and Te Puke, all run by the couple’s siblings, children and grandchildren.

“Bobby has been in the seafood industry for around 40-50 years,” says Ag. “And 42 years for me. He was a hothead in his younger days, and we started the business after a European friend – Jack Costello from Sanfords – told him he’d never get far in business if he acted like that.”

She recalls Nobby Clark, Bob Owens and “all the mayors back then” told him to change his behaviour. “ e mayors were a big in uence.

“Eric Smith and the Smith whanau too – they

helped guide him along the path, to calm his temperament.” Ag lists other inspirational peers that helped shape their future. “His nan, uncles, the Rollestons, Mikaeres, Ngatais, and the Murrays from Matakana Island. ey installed a love and mahi in him not to be sel sh, to give when needed and to always make sure people who came and paid their respects were given good kai, plenty of kai.” Bobby’s sh and chip shop by the wharf grew to become not only one of Tauranga’s iconic kai places, but is enjoyed by thousands who travel from across NZ to taste what is arguably the best sh and chips in the land.

Often a queue of people wait to choose from John Dory, trevally, snapper, gurnard as well as kina, oysters and mussels – it all depends on the catch of the day. When there’s no fresh sh, the shop doors are closed.

Work ethics

Born in Tauranga on June 21 1954, and raised on Matakana Island, Bobby attended the old Mount Maunganui Primary, Mount Maunganui College, and Hato Pētera, a Māori boarding school in Auckland.

Local classmate Andy Rutter recalls Bobby regularly coming to school on his horse.

“No saddle, just a rope bridle, leaving it in nextdoor eld ‘til time to catch it and head home.

“Staunch at Bullrush too.”

Bobby’s parents farmed land around Hull Rd, Triton Ave and Totara St. “We had the Mount Fish Market there,” says Ag, “and employed many people”. Employing many, often straight from school, plus encouraging others in business was all

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When it comes to family, friends and fresh sh, it’s always whānau rst for Tauranga’s fresh sh king Robert (Bobby) Tonihi Palmer.

Bobby’s Fresh Fish Market on Dive Crescent has been closed for part of this week.

Robert (Bobby) Palmer.

Callout to build numbers for new Menz Shed

Lower Kaimai residents are trying to rally members for their very own Menz Shed in their corner of the community.

Motor mechanic Graeme Klitscher, who has lived in the Lower Kaimai area for three years, put the call out to the community in August for a Menz Shed –believing it’s the very thing the area needs.

“I believe there’s a need for the retired folk to have somewhere to go – providing a safe and wellequipped workshop for males and females with an environment to do what they want for personal growth, wellbeing, companionship, and a place to participate in creative and productive activities,” says Graeme.

Inclusive e new Menz Shed won’t just be for retirees however. “I and the other members want it to be inclusive as possible,” says treasurer Carol Parsons.

“ ere are a few young mums up here who stay home and look after their kids… they don’t actually have a lot of local opportunity to meet other people.

“Even if all people did was come down for a co ee and a chat that’s ne – you don’t have to come and build something or x something.”

Graeme says the Menz Shed will bene t everyone in the Lower Kaimai area. “If there’s an old person

we can go along and do things for them.

“We won’t charge them, as such it’ll just be a donation to the club.

“I’m very handy at doing all sorts of jobs and building fences, xing gates and hanging up picture frames and mirrors.”

Once started, Carol hopes to do things to help Kaimai School and Tauriko School.

Getting started

e committee has already been donated various equipment and tools for the shed, and have the shed’s location in the works.

“We’ve potentially got a place to put the shed next to the Omanawa Hall – there’s a block of land there that’s leased… and the council is quite happy for us to have a shed here,” says Carol.

What the committee needs now is members to get their community vision o the ground. “We want to make it an incorporated society but to do that we need 15 members,” says Carol.

Currently, the committee is made up of six members. “We just need a few more people who want to help get it started and who are interested.”

e Lower Kaimai committee held a meeting at Omanawa Hall on Wednesday – but there’s still time to get involved. Call Graeme on: 022 4277 936 if you’re interested. Georgia Minkhorst

Let Lyra into your life!

Lyra is such a smoochy, sweet girl. e one-year-old Abyssinian is such an attention-seeker and loves getting cuddles from her favourite humans. She’ll suit any type of family so long as she has a sunny patch to sleep in, lots of cuddles, and de nitely some treats (maybe not too many). If you think you need some Lyra-sized love in your life, pop in an application and arrange to meet this sweet girl today! She’s waiting for you! Call the Tauranga centre on: 07 5780245. Ref: 557924.

Lower Kaimai residents Bryan McDermott , Kay Bell, Clive Taylor, Carol Parsons and Graeme Klitscher at the proposed site for the new Menz Shed.

Marine facility a go

A newly-approved marine research and education facility in Tauranga is expected to open the doors to at least 25 new jobs.

e facility is expected to provide a $30m economic boost to the city, according to a Tauranga City Council statement this week. Earlier this year TCC sought community feedback on a proposal to reclassify a small piece of land at Marine Park, Sulphur Point, allowing for the facility to be developed. Two-thirds (66.3 per cent) of submitters supported the proposal. Now, reclassi cation of 7000m2 of Marine Park – about six per cent of the park’s land area – is con rmed.

Links Ave ‘nuisance’

A partial reopening of Mount Maunganui’s Links Ave remains contentious as residents want more access to their street. e eastern end of Links Ave will be closed 7am-10am and 2pm-6pm seven days a week, with unrestricted access at all other times from December 19.

e closure, formed by two bus lanes between Solway Place and Concord Ave, has been in place since March. Access was only open to buses, motorbikes and emergency vehicles; anyone else that drives through receives a $150 ne. e partial reopening is the work of the Links Ave Community Panel, who have been working on a x since July.

Pāpāmoa East Interchange

Construction of a new interchange over the Tauranga Eastern Link will connect Pāpāmoa East to the motorway and enable further development of the area. Preliminary works for construction of the interchange are progressing, with one-third of the work in the the project’s rst phase complete.

Earthworks will continue in the next few months to build the necessary height on the Bell Rd side of the TEL, with a two-week break from Friday, December 23, 2022, until Monday, January 9, 2023.

Tra c management will remain in place until April 2023. Both eastbound lanes are open and one of the westbound lanes remains closed with a speed limit for tra c headed towards Tauranga set to 70km/hr.

Smart bench in Paeroa

Hauraki District Council is partnering with Smart City NZ to trial one of their smart benches in Paeroa this summer.

e smart bench will be installed in the Paeroa quad in front of the iSite this week for the community to try for three months.

e Smart Bench 1500 Ultra is powered by solar energy and stores energy for days where there is no sunshine and during the night. With USB charging ports and a WI-FI hotspot, the bench also measures temperature, air pressure and humidity.

e smart bench will be in front of the iSite from early-December through to March 2023.

The noble calling that is umpiring

Trent Boult whacked the rst ball of his innings straight back down the wicket, almost taking out umpire Phil Reed.

A 160 gram, rock hard, red missile propelled at 160km/hr-plus can be menacing.

“I yelled: ‘Oi! What do you think you’re doing?’” recalls Phil. Boult, the Black Cap, has an impish sense of humour and replied in kind.

“Coach told me to play a straight bat for the rst few deliveries, so you better get out of the way!”

at’s the richness of cricket according to Phil– it’s all interactions, experiences and anecdotes. He loves it, loves being an umpire, loves being out amongst the wickets, the runs and players like Boult.

People-watching

“Of course you’re watching the ball, but you are also doing some serious, close-up people-watching.

“It’s stimulating and fascinating seeing the batting and bowling personalities unfold while standing at the crease.”

Phil is making a pitch for his craft and for more cricket umpires. ere are nine premier grade men’s cricket teams in the BOP: two in Rotorua, one in Taupo and the rest from Tauranga – a small pool of about 12 umpires to cover the matches each weekend. ey’re stretched. ey need more.

Only one

Often there aren’t enough umpires available to have two standing in each game. “Some weekends we have only one, and he has to go from end to end. ere’s no square leg umpire.” A player from the batting team can stand in. “But they can’t make any di cult game-changing decisions. And of course there may be concerns about impartiality.”

It’s not good but they can only commit as many umpires as they have. “And we don’t have enough,”

says Phil. So, when numbers are crunched, a pool of at least 24 senior quali ed umpires would be ideal. “Because we’d also like to cover reserve grade games as well.”

ere’s a programme to encourage teenage umpires. Phil’s 15-year-old son Kayden Reed, who’s been playing cricket for six-seven years, is now a level one umpire as well. It’s in the genes. Level one involves an online course and a few hours’ practical training at Blake Park. Level two is a written test or Zoom interview. Level three is more complex than level two; level four is answering questions and a written two-hour exam. e local cricket scene is also evolving and it’s exciting. “ e borders are open, new international players are coming in from overseas, and when you walk out to the middle for a game you don’t know what you’ll be facing,” says Phil.

So what makes a good cricket umpire? “Patience, concentration and man management skills.

“You have to manage both captains and be calm, resolute, respectful and personable. Not overly friendly, but personable.” A level of tness would help. “I typically walk 13,000 paces in a 50 over match – 13km.” It can be a long day.

If a game starts 11.30am Phil arrives by 10am. ere are things to be done. And the game can go through to 7pm-7.30pm.

Summers are cricket

So there has to be understanding at home.

“Summers are cricket,” says Phil. “My wife is a cricket fan and as long as I have one day at home during the weekend, she understands.

“But I am home all winter.”

ere’s a modest sweetener. Cricket umpires get paid $100 a day. “It won’t make you a rich man at my level, but it’s nice.” en there are all the travel expenses. Phil has been admitted to the A Board of umpires to oversee lower level and age-group Northern District representative games. He has an eye on the regional board where he’d o ciate at Ford Trophy, Plunket Shield and Super Smash games. And beyond perhaps... To join cricket umpiring, email: bopumpires@outlook.com

Hunter Wells

Kayden Reed and father Phil Reed.

Photo: John Borren.

Entertaining friends and family is a dream, thanks to the open plan layout of this modern two bedroom apartment. The designer kitchen and enclosable balcony elevate both special occasions and everyday living.

The north facing aspect and garden views make for breezy summers, while the heat pump will keep you feeling cosy in those chillier winter months.

Essential features include the master ensuite and separate guest bathroom, while the additional bedroom is perfect for hosting overnight guests.

Each apartment at The Bayview comes with access to our premium onsite facilities; including a gym, bowling green, workshop, as well as the stylish café and bar.

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Loan a trap, catch pests!

Eradicating pests in your own backyard will be made easier with Predator Free Bay of Plenty’s Tauranga Trap Library.

e Sunday, December 11, Predator Free BOP is hosting an open day for the Tauranga Pest Trap Library.

Unlike a regular library with books, the Tauranga Trap Library will provide an arsenal of free traps that can be hired for three months – giving pests in your backyard their nal chapter.

“We’ve got a collection of traps here that deal with most pests – possums, stoats, ferrets, hedgehogs, even stray cats, wild cats, feral cats – so that’s what the Pest Trap Library is for,” says Predator Free BOP co-ordinator Luke Judd.

Breaking barriers

Luke says a big deterrent to trapping is the cost of traps. “ ey range anything from $40-$150 so if someone sees a possum in their backyard they might just go: ‘Well hopefully it’ll move on – I can’t be bothered having to buy the trap, setting the trap or what if goes away?’

“Hopefully o ering it for free will be removing that barrier for people to start entering the trapping world.”

e aim of the Trap Library is to eradicate pests

from BOP backyards says Luke, and to “bring bird song back so that we can have native birds in our backyards”. “ e goal of the Pest Trap Library is to provide traps for those pests that aren’t rats, like the possums and the stoats.”

Tips and tricks

Once you’ve trapped a pest, the rest will be up to you, says Luke. “We provide as much support as we can –we have instructional videos, tips and tricks and we also try remind people how can they dispose of the animals afterwards... we try make it as easy and safe as possible.”

Predator Free BOP also o er bait tips. “[For] Stoats you’d probably want to use something like an egg as bait, possums apples; rats peanut butter and Nutella, so you’re not having to go out and buy a specialised lure.”

Due most of these pests being nocturnal hunters, Luke says anyone with a suspicion should hire a free trap. “If they’ve seen droppings, or if they’ve seen their veggies being eaten or fruit trees being attacked, if they’ve got signs of suspicion then I’d encourage them to get a trap because either you catch nothing and just return the trap or you catch something.” e Tauranga Trap Library will be open at 31B Glasgow St, Tauranga, on Sunday, December 11. For more details, visit: www.predatorfreebop.nz/#intro-home

Learn with purpose

Get the right skills employers need!

You don’t need to move away to get a quality education with our campuses located across the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato rohe. With our range of study options to suit you, including online and part-time, you can study your way.

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Georgia Minkhorst

EnviroHub Bay of Plenty’s Fiona Lavin with traps you can loan.

Photo: John Borren.

If you’re after a zippy little electric car which is fun to drive and loaded with features, I recommend checking out Opel’s Corsa-e.

Classed as a German city car, Corsa-e has impressive range, is fast charging and makes minimal noise, even when zooming along at maximum power. To date the majority of EVs on the market have been large SUVs. Fortunately Corsa has broken the mould and combines all the bene ts of small car and EV ownership: it ts easily in a supermarket carpark, it ts in small garages and you can charge it from a standard Kiwi wall plug. e Corsa’s interior is stunning. Clever design makes the most of the interior space, giving a surprisingly

e German Opel Corsa has an impressive range, fast charging and minimum sound at maximum power.

roomy feel. Although the car is small, boot capacity is a spacious 309 litres, which can be increased when the rear seats are folded down. Occupant comfort is clearly a priority with Opel. e car has a quality, luxurious feel; comfortable and supportive front bucket seats that are heated, a heated steering wheel, Apple Carplay and a seamless infotainment system.

One charge gives 383km

Driving the Corsa-e is unlike any feeling you get from a petrol-powered vehicle – putting your foot down results in instant forward momentum in a silent, un ustered way. And the best part is; you get to drive past petrol stations knowing you’ll never have to pay the exorbitant price of petrol again!

Corsa-e will do an impressive 383km on

a single charge and charge up to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. On average, a Kiwi travels about 40km a day – simply plug it in at home every night or two and range becomes a non-issue.

In terms of safety, the Corsa gets plenty of repower: Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Lane Keep Assist, a digital instrument cluster with Speed Limit Recognition, Blind Spot Monitoring and a 180 degree panoramic rear view camera for safe, easy manoeuvring.

All of these features reinforce the feeling that Opel puts the driver and its occupants rst and that is why this vehicle feels like a leap into the future. While new to NZ, Opel Corsa has a number of accolades to its name overseas including Germany’s coveted Golden Steering Wheel.

You can pick one up from $59,990+ORC and it currently quali es for a government rebate of $8625, bringing your net spend down to $51,365+ORC.

Step into the future!

Backed by a ve-year/100,000km warranty with ve-year Roadside Assist plus an eight-year/160,000km Battery Warranty, Corsa-e o ers absolute stress-free motoring.

If you are like me and keen to take a step into the future to learn more about the Corsa-e, and see what else Opel has to o er, I recommend calling Opel Tauranga and asking one of their friendly team to take you through the features. Opel Tauranga can be found at 326 Cameron Rd, or contacted by phone on 07 578 9083.

Taylor Rice

Winners named in contest for Bay’s young creatives

e creative talents of young people from across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty have been celebrated in the annual Q Awards.

Entrants aged 16-18 submitted entries across categories that included graphic, moving image, photography, architecture and product.

e winners were announced this week, including the coveted People’s Choice Award in which members of the public had their say on which entry should win.

“ e e ort that participants put in to their work was incredible,” says Quentin van Heerden, managing director of Quentosity, the Taurangabased digital agency that founded the Q Awards.

Exceptional

“Each entrant should be very proud of their achievements, as should their teachers who have been really supportive of the Q Awards. Like last year, some of the entries were exceptional and are further proof of the strong sense of creativity that runs through our region.”

Prizes for the Q Awards range from funding support worth $1500, to internships with Sun Media and

Quentosity Digital Agency.

“An internship can have a massive impact on a winner’s career path,” says Quentin. “So can the funding support as it can be used for equipment or technology that is essential when starting out in the creative world.”

No-brainer

e Q Awards were created by Quentosity to help and encourage up-and-coming creatives. Last year’s inaugural awards were such a success it was a no-brainer to run the awards again in 2022, says Quentin.

It’s not just Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty schools that have backed the Q Awards, it’s businesses too. Sponsors include Trustpower, Holland Beckett Law, Sun Media Ltd, Seeka, Media Masters, Kale Print, Quentosity, Rothbury Insurance, and Nesti Chartered Accountants.

“We couldn’t run the awards without the backing of our sponsors, judges and the volunteers on the Q Awards Charitable Trust,” says Quentin.

“Huge thanks to everyone involved, and huge congratulations to every entrant. Can’t wait for next year!”

To see the full list of winners, head to the Q Awards website at: www.qawards.co.nz

A snapshot of the work by Ethan Duck, whose entry e Good Bugs was the winner of the top award - sponsored by Sun Media - in the Graphics category of 2022’s Q Awards.

Part of the All About Appearance entry by Jackson Gilbert, co-winner of the top prize in the Photography category, sponsored by Sun Media and Quentosity in 2022’s Q Awards.

Campaign wrapped with

created drama and chitter-chattered too much,” says Brenda Anderson of her Dad Des. She laughs about it now, and forgives him, because despite that thinking, Des raised his four daughters to be headstrong, opinionated, no-nonsense go-getters in life.

Des also believed women had no place in his beloved, and, at the time, men-only Mount Maunganui Lions club. “He quite often said: ‘If you want the job done, look for the busiest person’. And in his mind, that was more often than not himself, or a bunch of other men.”

He acknowledged the “great support” of the Lionesses, the women’s wing of the Lions Clubs, but no, they didn’t belong in his club.

barriers, admitting women, he voted against it. Brenda rolls her eyes and chuckles. “It was so like him – going against the grain, standing up for what he believed.” Des’ vote was a losing vote; and when the club threw open its doors to women, Brenda Anderson, his daughter, was the rst to march through.

“Dad was so excited, he signed me up.”

But why would Brenda Anderson join a club where some members, including her Dad, were staunch on segregation? “Because he had moved on. He didn’t see any point angsting about something he couldn’t change.”

Curious contradiction

And there was a curious contradiction because what Des espoused in the Lion’s lair was di erent to what happened at home.

Over

e ‘Disney sisters’, Maria and Brenda Anderson. Photos: John Borren. ...continued

tinge of sadness this year

Despite his hoary old attitude to women, Des empowered his four girls. “He had his opinions and he made sure we had ours.

“We didn’t have to agree.” And he challenged his daughters to dream big.

Two of the girls, Brenda and Maria, he called the ‘Disney sisters’ because they were the fanciful and creative ones, the dreamers. And when Brenda dared to dream big, she came up with the Make a Child Smile Christmas present concept – gathering hundreds of gifts for kids who might otherwise miss out in Tauranga.

“In some sad cases adults would nd enough money for alcohol, but nothing for food and presents.”

It was Des, with his ‘let’s make it happen’ attitude, who was the driving force behind Make A Child Smile. at was 10 years ago and they’re still making it happen. en last week at Pyes Pa, a gun salute sounded, a volley of shots, and there was a haka. Tears were shed and Make a Child Smile had lost a champion. And the ‘Disney sisters’ had lost a dad. Des Anderson was dead at 82. e story about under-privileged, wide-eyed kids opening unexpected Christmas gifts was now a eulogy. “We’re heartbroken,” says Brenda.

Stories of Des

Now stories of the man are being shared, like Des being a schoolboy crusader for fairness and justice. “He formed a gang of vigilantes as a senior at Sacred Heart in Auckland and told young kids being bullied to come see him and he would sort it.” He did. e bullying stopped. e Catholic, dyed-in-the-wool National party supporter was also an adventurer and at 21

joined the elite SAS ghting force. He became a paratrooper and an explosives expert, and in his spare time a commercial pilot. Desmond Anderson was a driven man.

By 25 he was ying for an American air cargo company in Vietnam where he would meet a pretty young woman called Kim Rang, would marry, have six children and return to New Zealand.

ere were di culties and prejudices. “I remember kids at school saying: ‘Chinese, Japanese, you wear nappies’ and all that sort of nonsense.

“And I remember thinking: ‘hullo...I am Vietnamese’.” But Des taught her to rise above the racism, and the sexism. “He would talk about people he respected, and many were women.”

Her time of year

Like Madame Nhu, Vietnam’s de facto rst lady famous for denouncing American in uence and presence in Vietnam. John F. Kennedy once said she represented everything he found unattractive in a woman. “But Dad greatly admired her, as did Mum. ey even named their cat Madame Nhu.” en one rainy day, just before Christmas in 1999, a four wheel drive vehicle slammed into Kim Rang’s car on a roundabout near Baypark. She died in her son’s arms.

“She loved Christmas, it was her time of year.” en this year, just before Christmas, Des passed away. So when Brenda and Maria should be focused on gathering presents, wrapping presents, giving presents, giving joy where there is none, making kids smile, they are remembering their Mum and grieving for their Dad.

Hunter Wells

Desmond Anderson.

Revel in a great time, for a great cause!

Gather the family and Christmas spirit – because Tauranga’s large-scale Christmas in the Park is back!

is year’s Christmas in the Park is at Soper Reserve on December 10, and will run from 10am-4pm.

“You can expect a big music line-up, heaps of free activities for the kids to get involved in, delicious street food, and local artisan market stalls from e Little Big Markets,”

says an event spokesperson.

is year’s Christmas in the Park is not only special with the return of large crowds – it also marks the 10th year the event has run.

Generous koha e organising team from Little Big Events is most looking forward to using the “generous koha” provided by the community to support people in need this Christmas.

“If you are keen to donate, please

Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park is back this year, with so much to o er on December 10.

bring a gold coin, present, or non-perishable item of food to Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park. e Breeze’s ‘Stu the Bus’ will collect these from you on entry and their elves will start to sort the donations ready to drop o to our charities.”

e Little Big Events team is expecting around

2000-3000 people to attend, so it will be a big event community members won’t want to miss.

“Now large-scale events can go ahead safely, we are very excited to be welcoming our community to Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park knowing everyone can enjoy their time with friends and whānau.”

Santa’s Grotto

Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park is fun for the whole family. For the kids, Santa’s Grotto will be the place to be, with football, face painting, pottery workshops, and a photo booth along with other free activities.

For adults there’s live music, delicious street food, and artisan market stalls to shop for last-minute Christmas gifts. In previous years, Christmas in the Park has raised more than $50,000 for charity, so round up the family and have a great time for a good cause!

Santa to deliver biggest sack of letters

NZ Post is working with Santa and his elves, to ensure Kiwi kids receive a response to their letters this Christmas.

“Once again, NZ Post is o ering the magical connection of writing to Santa and for tamariki to receive a response in te reo Māori or English.

“We’re proud to say that this year Hana Kōkō (Santa) is on track to send even more letters than in 2021 and we still have three weeks to go,” says NZ Post’s Helen Southern.

“Last year we helped Santa respond to almost 100,000 letters. Popular items

on Kiwi kids’ lists were remote control cars, followed closely by cuddly toys. Hana Kōkō has also received some quirky requests this year, including pleas for real-life elves to be delivered, hoverboards and even a whole helicopter.”

NZ Post’s interactive website allows children to send Santa an online letter plus gives access to Santa’s Ho Ho Homepage, where kids can read Santa’s emails, play games, listen to North Pole FM and browse Santa’s holiday snaps too.

Kiwi kids can still send Santa an online message up until 5pm, December 22 and receive an email response. To make and send a digital postcard, visit: www.nzpost.co.nz/writetosanta

Taylor Rice

Salmon en Papillote

French for ‘salmon in paper’ – Salmon en Papillote is such a gorgeous simple dish. It is delicious, nutritious, and completely customisable. Just change up the herbs and vegetables inside the paper pouch, the sh will always come out perfectly tender.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

 150g salmon llet, bones removed

 1/4 lemon, sliced

 1/4 fennel bulb, sliced

 8 cherry tomatoes, halved  6 kalamata olives

 1 tsp fresh dill or basil, roughly chopped  1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius fan bake. Cut a piece of baking paper into a rough 30cm diameter circle. You don’t have to be too careful.

Fold the circle in half. On the inside of the round, layer the lemon, fennel, tomatoes and olives. Place salmon llet on top of the vegetables, and season very well with salt, pepper and your herb of choice. Drizzle over olive oil.

Close the paper by folding the other half over the prepared salmon and carefully roll the open edges towards the salmon in the centre, completely sealing it into a little salmon parcel.

Place on a baking sheet and bake on the centre rack for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, open the pouch and serve with some boiled new potatoes.

Free online Christmas book for all

If there’s one thing children love at this time of year, it’s hearing those classic Christmas stories. Now Kiwi families can access a free online Christmas story book created by e Warehouse in two languages, English and te reo Māori.

‘Nigel’s Christmas Wish’ (Te tōmina kirihimete o Nigel) features tales of a loveable nutcracker and his heartwarming story

Nigel’s Christmas Wish is a continuation of e Warehouse’s Christmas story about a Nutcracker with a special wish –to be proudly atop the Christmas tree, a position traditionally reserved for an angel or star. As the story unfolds, readers discover if Nigel’s wish nally comes true.

e digital book also has optional narration so people can sit back and listen to the audio recorded by media personality Kara Rickard.

upon us, Christmas books are being dusted o ready for story time.

“We wanted to make this Christmas a little more festive for all Kiwis with an all-new, free digital Christmas book.

“Nigel’s Christmas Wish is a charming take on a classic Christmas wish story and leans into what we are all about at e Warehouse – making Christmas wishes big or small come true by having something for everyone, no matter the budget.”

Kiwis can also win a limited edition printed copy of ‘Nigel’s Christmas’ Wish in both languages by entering online at the end of the story.

“We hope that spending time together reading Nigel’s story as a family may just be the start of a new Christmas tradition in many Kiwi households,” says Jonathan.

What’s

‘Nigel the Nutcracker’ is a free online Christmas story book.

e Warehouse chief customer and sales o cer Jonathan Waecker says with the holiday season

Nigel’s Christmas Wish was written by Veronica Copestake and illustrated by Joseph Qiu and Pawel Zawislak from Watermark.

Friends and whānau can read the story in English and te reo Māori at: nigel.thewarehouse.co.nz

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Billboard design revealed

e Ōmokoroa billboard has a fresh new look, and most importantly a tohutō (macron), thanks to Ōmokoroa Point School’s Room 10.

Located at the State Highway 2 and Ōmokoroa intersection, the billboard captures the wonders of Ōmokoroa according to the students such as, the beach, skatepark, native birds, Pōhutukawa trees, the playground, whānau/family, cycle tracks, boardwalks, and the wharf (both shing and jumping o ).

None of which would have been possible if it wasn’t for the students’ Operation Tohutō, a campaign to add a tohutō to the O of Ōmokoroa on all the town’s signage.

Western Bay of Plenty Council CEO John Holyoake, after hearing their presentation to Western BOP councillors in September, invited the students to continue to lead their community

initiative by co-designing the updated look.

After working with Room 10 to illustrate their ideas of what Ōmokoroa means to them, Western Bay Mayor James Denyer revealed the nal design to excited students last week.

Ōmokoroa Point School principal Sandra Portegys is incredibly proud of her students and knows they will remember this process whenever they pass the billboard at the entrance of Ōmokoroa Road for years to come.

James says his council really appreciates Room 10’s mahi and their journey, from researching and respecting the correct use of Reo, presenting Operation Tohutō to Western BOP Councillors through to designing the billboard.

“ ey have shown their community, their voice can lead to change.

“ ey can look proudly at the billboard and know they have made a di erence.”

e new billboard now stands proudly at State Highway 2-Ōmokoroa Rd intersection.

The feedback I got from Fieldays

Fieldays 2022 showed us what the Government should expect from regional New Zealand next year – an absolute shellacking.

I spent ursday and Friday on our stand and wandering the sites talking to vendors and received enormous encouragement from those in attendance.

e message is clear: the Labour Government is a complete disaster for the regions, our primary industries and our country more generally.

An uncountable number of people told me in no uncertain terms that we absolutely must win for them.

Recently the Government’s ineptitude soared with the passage

of ree Waters through the Committee Working Group stage. e great heist from local governments, merged with undemocratic co-governance, reached new lows with the addition of two more waters, taking us to Five Waters, and a totally unconstitutional entrenchment provision.

e Government and the Labour caucus is in such disarray that they’ve now disintegrated and removed the entrenchment order.

I say go one step further and just ditch the whole asco altogether.

On a brighter note, we had National Party Leader Christopher Luxon in town earlier this week. We visited a primary school in Papamoa, the business chamber and a social service provider in town.

Christopher is surging ahead on the social investment front and knows too well that the way we repair our society is through targeted upfront investment in our most vulnerable.

I’ve had numerous attendees from the business chamber tell me how good it was to hear a major party leader talk common sense. I wholeheartedly agree!

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WBOP Mayor James Denyer and Ōmokoroa Point School’s Room 10 with the design. Photo: supplied.

Katikati cultivates its own Pa Harakeke

A project to cultivate a axgrowing site in Katikati – which will eventually ourish to be a site of workshops, educational programmes and exhibitions –has put down its roots.

Located next to the Western Bay Museum on Main St, Te Rereatukahia Marae Kaumatua and Kuia, Northern Tauranga Moana

hapu representatives, and delegates from the museum, Creative Bay of Plenty, sponsors and supporters gathered last month to bless and unveil the project, which has been 18 months in the making.

“Our Pa Harakeke was created by Kairaranga (weaver) Kuia Kerewai Murray Wanakore, Te Rereatukahia Kaumatua, alongside Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Canterbury and Western Bay

SPECI

A

Museum,” says Western Bay Museum manager Paula Gaelic.

LIZED PAIN TING

A pā harakeke is a planting of selected varieties of harakeke (Phormium spp., New Zealand ax), chosen for their muka ( bre) or raranga (weaving/ plaiting) qualities. Cultivating harakeke is a way to ensure vigorous, healthy bushes that will provide high quality leaf material for weaving.

Seven species

Paula says funding from Creative NZ’s Creative Communities Scheme has enabled the project to come to fruition. “We feel privileged and honoured to have spent this past year working closely with Kuia Kerewai. ank you as well to kairaranga Sarah Tangitu, who along with Kerewai ew to Lincoln to bring the cultivars home.”

Paula says seven species were selected, each serving a di erent purpose.

“Over time it is intended that our Pa Harakeke will be a site of workshops, educational programmes and exhibitions.”

To Māori, there was no plant more important than harakeke in the early days.

“As Pākehā culture and clothing displaced timehonoured Māori ways in the latter part of the last

century, traditional harakeke cultivars fell into neglect. “In the early-1960s, a kairaranga (weaver) of Gisborne began noticing that weavers were reduced to using inferior harakeke and started to seek out and collect good traditional varieties.

“Over succeeding decades, she assembled a collection of some 60 Māori cultivars.”

Solid partnership

e collection was given to the Department of Scienti c and Industrial Research and has formed the basis for numerous plantings around Aotearoa by Manaaki Whenua -Landcare Research, which has saved these traditional harakeke cultivars.

“A solid partnership has been established with Manaaki Whenua, the kairaranga (weavers) of our district, Northern Tauranga Moana and Western Bay Museum We’ll continue to have this cultural engagement under the governance of Kuia Kerewai and Kaumata of Te Rereatukahia.

“It is their taonga and all initiatives going forward will be at their approval.

“We’d also like to thank Project Parore, for taking such care in preparing this space [near the museum]...and to Taylor Brothers Transport Ltd for supplying mulch.”

More than plants at garden centre

With Christmas looming closely on the horizon, many of you reading this will be smugly looking at your gift purchases – all wrapped and ready to go.

I, on the other hand, will be in my usual state of panic, ready to purchase the old faithful standby of gift vouchers. Especially garden centre vouchers because garden centres these days are not all about plants – they have all manner of interior bits and pieces. ink brews, foods and

tools to help someone’s garden along, fabulous wall hangings, pots for indoors and out – and if all else fails the voucher can be spent in the cafe. Perfect! But there is still time to buy a pot or hanging basket and plant it up with your choice of plants from the wide selection available. Go all Christmassy and drape some miniature green ivy around the edge, plant a bright red petunia or tropical impatiens in the centre and ll

the gaps with white allysum or bacopa.

Add a big silver and red bow and you have a living gift to give pleasure for months.

And while out shopping, run your eyes over the potted herbs you may need for Christmas dinner. yme and sage for stu ng turkey or chook, mint for new potatoes, and peas and parsley for that nishing touch.

May I wish you all a tasty and colourful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!

Kaumatua George Burt, kuia Kerewai Murray Wanakore of Te Rereatukahia, Reverend Brendan Gibbs and Reon Tuanau of Otawhiwhi at the site unveiling.

Photo: supplied.

Restrictions amended in city’s Water Watchers plan

Tauranga green ngers can breathe a sigh of relief – with the plan for managing water in Tauranga including a new allowance for watering vegetable gardens and a shorter peak water restriction period.

Tauranga City Council has approved a new Water Watchers plan, to remain through to 2026, with revisions from community feedback and learnings from last summer.

e Water Watchers Plan launched in 2021 to proactively manage outdoor water use in Tauranga – at home, work, and in the community.

e plan restricts outdoor water use such as sprinklers, water blasters, lling pools and more, either outright or at certain times of the day. Restrictions increased December 1. Water demand in Tauranga grows up to 30 per cent in summer months, driven primarily by outdoor use. Last summer the plan’s implementation helped to reduce the peak and ensure the city could remain sustainably supplied.

TCC water services manager Peter Bahrs says it was important to learn from last summer and

to listen to the community’s feedback. “As part of this we acknowledge the value of vegetable gardens, especially during the current cost of living challenges facing our community, and as a result we’ve amended the plan to allow for watering of vegetable gardens using low volume micro irrigation systems. We’ve also made various changes to account for other sectors of the

Water use in the construction industry is now included in the At Work plan and encourages commercial users to consider alternate water sources and apply for a Smart Water Plan for water use of more than 1000L per day.

Another plan change will see the most stringent water restrictions ease a month earlier in 2023, at the end of February. is is in part due to the opening of Waiāri water treatment plant and increased rainfall in winter and spring.

Share what’s available

“ e Waiāri Water Supply Scheme has been designed to meet water demand now, and over at least the next 30 years. ere will be more water available for Tauranga with the sustainable threshold for the city increasing from 50 to

Fit-for-purpose homes and spaces

Transbuild o er a ordable, architecturallydesigned two-to-six bedroom homes, o ce blocks and sta accommodation with high quality nishes, fully constructed within their purposebuilt factory and delivered to your site anywhere in the North Island within months, not years. Not to mention they can provide buildings from 65m2 to 160m2.

“In a time of uncertainty, having the con dence of a xed price and a guaranteed delivery date of your home or bach gets you and your family living faster,” says Transbuild’s Sam Paterson.

“Remove all constructionrelated risks, weather delays, compliance costs with the bene t of having one point of contact and accountability.”

In October 2022, Transbuild was awarded the title of ‘Fastest growing construction business in Auckland and Upper North Island’ by Deloitte Fast 50.

“ is is a recognition for our experience and capabilities to deliver for our customers,” says Sam.

“ e in-house architectural team provides innovative designs and can advise on the best building solutions to meet any site requirement.

“We embrace a moral obligation to produce homes and spaces for New Zealanders that are t for purpose.

“Our buildings leave our facility, fully completed with Code of Compliance and a 10-year Master Builders warranty. We oversee the transportation and on-site installation onto the foundations, and our buildings go through a robust quality assessment process.”

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55 million litres per day for the 2022/2023 summer.

Must adjust

“But that’s not an invitation to increase use, in fact quite the opposite. As a rapidly growing city we must adjust to changing environmental challenges by following good water conservation

practices year-round. As a community we need to appreciate we are all sharing what’s available and make sure we’re not taking more water than nature can supply – so this summer keep an eye on the city’s water usage dashboard to see how we are tracking.” Visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/waterservices/water-watchers.

Transbuild offer affordable architecturally designed 2-to-6-bedroom homes, office blocks & staff accommodation with high quality finishes, fully constructed within our purpose-built factory and delivered to your site anywhere in the North Island within months, not years.

Transbuild can help you get living faster.

Napier is the art deco capital

In regular fashion we got on the road an hour later than planned, but Napier wasn’t going anywhere and we had co ee and a throwback playlist ready for the roadie ahead!

After missing out on tickets to Jack Johnson’s Napier concert in December, my boyfriend and I thought why not check out the ‘Nice of the Paci c’ anyway. It takes about four hours to get from Tauranga to Napier, but with a Taupo pit-stop and tag-teaming behind the wheel – it makes for a nice scenic drive through the countryside.

Art deco beauty

Stepping into the city on our rst day, I was taken away by Napier’s art deco architecture and styling. It was refreshing to see an artsy city with a unique, old-timey aesthetic buzzing with life and people. If you appreciate anything old-fashioned, exploring the Napier Antique and Jewellery Centre is a collector’s wonderland.

at same night we saw the spectacular Tauranga Moana musician Ria Hall perform with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the Napier

Municipal eatre. e world class musical mastery of the orchestra combined with Ria’s powerhouse voice made for a captivating show. I’m not the biggest fan of wine due to an immature palate – but when one is in the Hawke’s Bay it’s an unspoken law that you must visit a winery.

We cruised along Napier’s black-beached coast and visited a winery called Te Awanga Estate. Even if you’re not a wine snob, it’s a beautiful setting for a lunch overlooking vibrant grape vines beneath the Hawke’s Bay sun. We enjoyed a tasty light pizza together and I must say the chilled Pinot Gris I sipped at was actually half pleasant!

A stroll and a co ee

Making the most of the sunny weather we took a leisurely stroll along the city’s gorgeous waterfront. With stunning gardens, water features, sculptures and east coast ocean views along the waterfront –there’s plenty to entertain while you unwind.

If you’re not fond of walking, there’s also plenty of bike hire services to cruise the coast.

Celebrate summer sunsets on the water

Trinity Wharf and Bay Explorer are giving locals a chance to admire our city from a di erent perspective, announcing their dinner and sunset cruise package is back this summer.

Eight special evenings will be held between November and February where people can enjoy a sumptuous bu et dinner at Trinity Wharf’s restaurant before hopping aboard Bay Explorer at 8pm for a two-hour cruise as the sun goes down. Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival (house bubbles, house beer, soft drink or juice) and eat your ll of fresh breads, salads, baked salmon, beef sirloin, roasted and seasonal vegetables.

Dessert is also on o er including lemon panna cotta and coconut rice pudding.

Diners will then cruise along the shores of Tauranga Harbour, taking in the glimmering lights of the CBD, before heading under the harbour bridge towards the Port of Tauranga. Get up close to the large vessels berthed nearby as you sail towards Mauao.

As the sun sets softly over the Kaimāī Range, you’ll head along the tree-lined shores of Matakana Island and nally back to Trinity Wharf’s pontoon.

Tickets are $139 per person (including children) and dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice. Book your tickets on Eventbrite. For more inspiration on what to see and do in your backyard, visit: www.bayofplentynz.com

e last morning of our stay, we had delicious co ee and bagels at a cosy café called Six Sisters. It’s one of the oldest buildings in Napier, alongside ve other ‘sister’ timber villa buildings, believed to be built early-1900s. ese buildings withstood the Napier’s

1931 earthquake and the res that followed. It’s de nitely a cool historical spot to enjoy a cuppa!

Napier will host its annual Art Deco Festival from February 16-19, 2023 – the perfect time to check out the heart of the Hawke’s Bay.

Georgia Minkhorst

Six Sisters Co ee House on Napier’s Marine Parade. Photo: Georgia Minkhorst.

People can enjoy a sumptuous bu et dinner at Trinity Wharf’s restaurant before hopping aboard Bay Explorer.

Anthony Coulter’s pilgrimage to the sea

It’s getting harder for musicians to produce recorded music.

A liner note in a CD I received recently says: “With a single Spotify stream now returning $0.0007 to the artist, the days of deriving income from recording music are receding into the distance”. is is, of course, old news. But true. And it is especially an issue for New Zealand’s ‘semi-professional’ music community. Which is about 95 per cent of the music community. Here’s the problem: CDs barely sell any longer; LPs are too expensive to manufacture and not yet su ciently popular to make worthwhile. Which means you can simply kiss goodbye that $5000 or more you spent on recording an album. You did it for love.

People are now constantly trying to nd ways to allow them to continue recording the songs they write.

Essentially that means ways to record more cheaply. Which means a lot of albums are now recorded in bedrooms or garages. Do the simple stu at home with a computer and one good microphone and add the most important – or hardest to record – bits in a proper studio.

Some people do drums in a studio, some the vocals or mixing. It’s a compromise between quality and cost –the less time you spend there the cheaper it’ll be, but every expensive minute will make your recording sound better...

Backing

One thing I’m seeing more is the stripped-back approach.

Shirley Ryder’s last album was

essentially recorded live and acoustic, a quicker and thus cheaper approach but one with the danger of sounding like

Over Troubled Water’ album. Here’s how it came about: Paul Simon heard a Peruvian instrumental he liked on a record by Los Incas. So he bought it and wrote words. I don’t mean he bought the rights to the music. No. He bought that speci c recording and then they overdubbed him and Artie singing.

End of. And I guess if it was okay in 1970 on an album that has since sold 25 million copies then it’s alright here and now.

Pilgrimage

a demo rather than a fully-accomplished record. Another tactic is using prerecorded backing tracks. You can buy them online. People make full-time livings creating backing tracks, from simple grooves to fully-orchestrated soundscapes. You hear about this occasionally when some kid in a bedroom nds a beat he created for Tik-Tok used by a major artist; there are rip-o s but this is usually well-compensated.

But wait! I hear you say – isn’t that some sort of new-fangled cheating?

A bit karaoke-ish?

Let me point older readers to ‘El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could)’ the second track on Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge

at’s what Anthony Coulter has done on his new album, ‘Pilgrimage To e Sea’, 10 original songs with a summer vibe that were born out of his love for the sea. e music on all tracks comes courtesy of Soulfyah Productions, who are based in Norderney, Germany, though main composer Hendrik Remmers has a local connection: he was a surf instructor at the Mount in 2011. More outsourcing was used for the backing vocals – very good backing vocals – which came from Kingston, Jamaica!

Anthony himself plays keyboards and synthesizers and during the recording transitioned from acoustic to electric guitar. Vocals were recorded in his home before mixing and mastering by Whakamarama’s Soundtree Productions.

Main-man there, Shane Davies, features on ‘Floating’ and ‘Good life’. It’s an upbeat, melodic collection.

Anthony has a strong rich voice and it is ably supported by harmonies and infectious, immaculate reggae-leaning

beats. e lyrics are mainly a celebration of a simple and happy life. e upbeat welcome of ‘ e Island’ is balanced by bigger more dramatic songs such as ‘No Rest For e Wicked’ while the slower groove of ‘Being With You’ could almost class it as ‘Lover’s rock’.

But the main sentiment is positive and uplifting, as summed up in ‘Good Life’. Chill out, relax and enjoy, it seems to be saying.

‘Pilgrimage To e Sea’ is available on the usual digital platforms. CDs may follow. Anthony will showcase the album solo at Cruise Deck on Maunganui Rd, on Sunday, December 18, from 11am-1pm. Otherwise, you can nd him on Facebook and Instagram.

The Weekend Sun’s ever popular guide to ‘What’s On’ in the Bay.

Anthony Coulter’s album cover.

Summer events for everybody

A local musician is providing your soundtrack, a late dinner down the road is beckoning, and in less than 48 hours you’ll be dancing in a eld full of people.

Tauranga is the place to be this summer, and it’s not only the golden sand beaches calling your name.

Bay Venues has something for everybody. If you are a petrolhead, then Baypark Speedway has you covered.

Take your family along to the North Island Sprintcar Championship on December 10, or the Bay International Midget Superstars on December 28, or the always popular Demo Der-Bay Smackdown and Fredrickson Stockcar Gold Cup on January 7.

If cars aren’t your thing but you love a gig, well, there’s a bunch of them.

On New Year’s Eve – there’s a brand new electronic dance music event called Famous Last Words at Trustpower Baypark.

At the same location a few days later, on January

3, Bay Dreams is back. en you have A Summer’s Day Live with UB40 on January 4, and Juicy Fest on January 6.

And for those who crave adrenaline, BayStation at Trustpower Baypark has everything you need to up your heart rate.

Whether you’re after a relaxing holiday activity this summer or an action-packed day out, there is more than enough happening at venues across Tauranga to get you out of the house and into the sun.

Get along to RescuesPalooza!

Western Bay of Plenty residents are invited to attend a one-day, market-style festival with 20-plus stalls o ering everything from jewellery and candles to face-painting and vegan food at Pāpāmoa Sports & Recreation Centre this Saturday, December 10.

e inaugural charity festival – named RescuesPalooza – is a fundraiser to give back to struggling animal rescues and educate the community on the vital work these groups do.

Organisers Misha Gildenberger, Missy Ingram and Fran Harvey say entry to RescuesPalooza – which runs from 11am-4pm inside Pāpāmoa Sports & Recreation Centre – will be via donation of animal food or animal-related supplies at the door, which will be distributed to the rescues.

“We have donkeys, horses, chickens, cats and dog rescues, so you can bring any item related to these animals. e more goods, the merrier!” e rescue groups will have stalls stocked with products and information about the work they do – with the Misha, Fran and Missy hoping RescuesPalooza educates the Western Bay of Plenty community on the animal rescue work being done locally.

“All three of us have worked in animal care and fostering for years,” says Missy. “ ere are so many tough cases and a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes.

“We want to bring the rescue work to the

forefront so that people know what’s going on.”

RescuesPalooza is this Saturday, December 10, from 11am-4pm at Pāpāmoa Sports & Recreation Centre – event-goers are asked to keep their pets at home, with RescuePalooza being held indoors. More event details are at: www.facebook.com/ rescuespalooza

Papamoa

2nd Tuesday of each month

10am - 11:30am

Papamoa Family Services 35e Hartford Avenue Papamoa

Tauranga

3rd Tuesday of each month

6pm - 7:30pm Grief Support Services 147 Chadwick Rd Greerton

HORIZONS Suicide Loss Support Group

We warmly invite you to our safe space to find and offer hope and make connections with others who understand grief after a loss to suicide. Suitable for age 18+

Amy Colonna 021 0903 9568 amy@griefsupport.org.nz www.griefsupport.org.nz

Catherine Sylvester

Misha Gildenberger, Missy Ingram and Fran Harvey are hosting RescuesPalooza one-day charity festival on December 10. Photo: John Borren.

Bay Dreams is back this summer.

Churches Active In Our Community

Being soft on crime only encourages more

National party leader Chris Luxon should stick to his guns in locking up young o enders.

Every year they are locked away, not only is this justice to the victim but it also secures the public from further crime and provides an important lesson for the o ender’s compatriots.

Are you giving a lot of time preparing for Christmas? Are you doing the usual – getting things ready like decorations, gifts, cards, food, and drink, Christmas services and plays?

ere’s a certain comfort in doing all this, there’s a lot of fun as well as some stress! A question I’d like to ask you is, how personal will you make Christmas?

I ask this question because the core reason for celebrating Christmas is a person – Jesus, the occasion is a celebration of His birth. So, what do I mean when I ask how personal will you make Christmas? We’re told by a man called Luke that at the time of Jesus’ birth, shepherds were told that a saviour had been born who would bring peace to earth (Luke 2v8-14).

is is how God reconciles you to Himself. None of your own human e ort can bring you peace with God; it is God who brings peace to you, and this through a person, His Son, Jesus. To truly make this Christmas personal you must respond. e gift is given, but a gift must be received. Peace is o ered but you must respond in faith and receive this gift. is

time, will you make it personal? “ erefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us (Romans 5v1 New Living translation).”

God bless you and keep you this Christmas and always!

Rev Ian Pittendreigh

Such o enders are already associating with criminals, so prison time makes little di erence.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s reaction to the killing of a shopkeeper in her electorate – spend more taxpayer money on fog cannons, etc, not only revealed that most of the funds allocated in the past have not been spent because of harsh criteria, but also reveals that Labour is again soft on crime in not addressing the o ender.

Likewise all the politicians and experts that rally against locking up, etc, are only concerned with the o ender. ey miss the point.

However Luxon has made one signi cant error in following Ardern’s one with MIQ. NZers don’t join the military to become jailers.

Okay temporarily, say one month, but the job for both MIQ and youth crime is Corrections.

Interesting too is the Police Commissioner then announcing that he needs to provide “more clarity for o cers” in the eeing driver policy. Why? Because the policy introduced in 2020 resulted in more drive o s. ie being soft on crime only encourages more crime.

Bill Capamagian, Tauranga City.

Working 24/7? My next tree question...

ank you so much for printing my letter in e Sun, regarding the tree destruction.

My question now to the council, after their reply is: What is a Signi cant Tree and therefore what is an insigni cant tree? When does insigni cant become signi cant? Is it purely in the eye of the beholder? Or is there some illuminating document that spells out these di erences?

e Copper Beech I mentioned in my earlier letter was, in my eye, was signi cant, tall, healthy and very lovely. Council advise please. Enid Birtwistle, Avenues.

TCC replies: Our Urban Forest team would be really happy to talk to Ms Birtwistle directly. ey can be reached at: tcc.arborists@tauranga.govt.nz or phone: 07 577 7000.

In a response a few months ago to a Letter to the Editor about working 24/7 on Cameron Rd, Tauranga City Council’s transport man Brendan Bisley gave the excuses that safety exhaustion etc were to blame. So he left himself exposed to criticism as there are plenty of workers that work 24/7 like waterside workers, police, nurses, doctors, packhouse sta plus probably more, so it will be interesting to hear what he comes up with this time...

P Kirkwood, Tauranga South.

TCC replies: Work on this major project is being completed as quickly as possible, with work carried out during the day, night and weekends.

Some works are not able to be carried out overnight due to noise restrictions and the impact on local residents.

Be kind out there people!

I wanted to send in a timely reminder to be kind this festive season – especially to retail and hospitality workers.

We know everyone is under pressure to get their ‘to do’ and ‘to buy’ lists ticked o before the Christmas break, and we know times are stressful, but

please be kind. Shouting at someone isn’t going to make items magically appear, or your food turn up faster. Being rude and impatient isn’t going to make things cheaper, or shipping faster.

anks for being kind this Christmas!

F McGrath, Greerton.

021 768 043

BETH - EL la tyb Messianic Family bethel.org.nz

This time, prepare to make it personal

It is a well-known fact that the most signi cant events in our lives need planning. So, wouldn’t it make sense to have your nal send-o planned too?

“We have seen a real increase in people choosing to plan ahead, so when the time comes the family can focus on healing while we take care of the rest,” says Oliver Marriner from Hope Family Funerals.

“It is also becoming more common to ‘shop around’, to meet who the family will be liaising closely with, and also nding out how much it will cost – and we welcome that!”

Come and have a co ee and a chat with the Hope Family Funerals team and nd out how

easy it is to plan a send-o that is as unique as you are, so you can continue to make memories with the ones you love knowing they are cared for when you’re gone.

e Hope Family Funerals team: Oliver Marriner, Kathy Sleep, Elise Williams and Dean Hughes.