The Weekend Sun - 27 January 2023

Dragons and dancing!

Tauranga’s Historic Village is about to shine with the golden glow of lanterns as traditional Chinese dance, musical performances and lunar festivities ood the village’s streets next Saturday, February 4.

e free-to-enter Tauranga Chinese New Year Festival, from 3pm-9pm on February 4, is brought to the community by the NZ China Friendship Society Tauranga branch.

President Tina Zhang says the event is an opportunity for people to learn more about

Chinese culture. “Are you interested in knowing what ancient Chinese people eat?

“What did they wear? What kind of customs and culture did they have?” asks Tina. “Would you love to experience the feeling of walking through the ancient

streets with hanging lanterns to indulge the beauty of ancient China of thousands of years ago in the Han and Tang Dynasties?”

If so, then get along to e Historic Village next Saturday, February 4. Read more on page 10. Photo: John Borren.

Striking a blow for what’s right

I was warned. It would cause a right old stink if I went down that track. Did I really want to be in the crosshairs of every yokel in town? Did I really want to be branded a woke, radical, anti-NZ leftie?

Probably not.

But then many a good idea starts with one provocative step. And so now, I bravely step.

Why is Greerton called Greerton? Why is Cameron Road, Cameron Road? And for that matter Grey Street, Grey Street? And why do those place and street names not re ect the rst people of the land, the beautiful te reo Maori language and culture gifted us, and the history that shapes and de nes this city, and sets us gloriously apart.

Hon Jan Tinetti

Labour List MP

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

Greerton was named for Lieutenant H.H. (Henry Harpur) Greer, commander of the British forces that fought the Battle of Gate Pa.

Cameron Road was named for General Sir Duncan Alexander Cameron, who apparently also led British troops during the Battle of Gate Pa.

But there were two sides engaged in that con ict. So why were the land-grabbing, imperialist, colonisers honoured ahead of Maori who were defending their land, their culture, their people? Why isn’t Greerton called Puhirake for Rawiri Tuaia Puhirake, the man who rallied Maori resistance and in icted a humiliating defeat on the invaders despite being vastly outnumbered.

defending their land, their culture, and in icted a humiliating Maori

Or why isn’t Cameron Road named for Piwharangi, the Maori chief whose body was found a few days after the battle. I just raise the question.

And does Grey Street deserve to be Grey Street just because Sir George Grey was a Governor of New Zealand? Did he have any special attachment to Tauranga? Did he make a contribution that demanded him being memorialised in this town? Maybe!… because he did drop in and speak of a “desire for the two races to be at peace”. A noble thought.

I did a litmus test with my ‘cultural advisor’ and he just chuckled and warned against “stirring that pot”.

“Let’s not agitate over what has been,” he said sagely. “Let’s look positively to the future.” I am not trying to rewrite history… just tweak an imbalance.

An email en a few things happened.

An email did a low pass over my desk. Apparently SunLive had reported “Waikorire also known as Pilot Bay” in a story about the grounding of a yacht, causing one reader to spontaneously combust. “It is mainly known as Pilot Bay,” he reminded us. “And as this is a maritime issue, this needs to be written

with the o cial navigation names under maritime law.” Really? So all our stories in, on or around saltwater need to be skewed for sailors only?

“No maps are in Te Reo,” continued the grumble. “Aotearoa is NOT (sic) on any map or GPS as it is not valid under maritime law. is (SunLive) article should be corrected and reposted with an apology to sailors.”

Well, that ain’t going to happen.

colourist, an adventurer and a hired gun.

But now von Tempksy has gone from von Tempsky Street in Hamilton. And Dawson has gone from Dawson Park. Locals describe it as “an historical reset, a symbolic redress for the historical con scation of lands”. Perhaps we should consider an historical reset?

Our stories are not o cial maritime bulletins just for those in peril on the sea. His parting shot was perhaps tell-tale.

“Stop being so woke…”

So stop being alert to injustice in society, especially racism. Did that comment whi of something a little more sinister than upset about our use of one of the nation’s three o cial languages?

Our correspondent won’t be re-locating to Hamilton anytime soon. at city, in its wisdom, is renaming a street and a local park from old and irrelevant colonial militia names to ones “gifted by mana whenua”.

Gustavus von Temspky was a ambouyant guy… a Prussian water

thing to do”.

Why do so many of us nd the “right thing to do” such a hard thing to do?

And it’s interesting it was a Pakeha Hamilton businessman and chemist, Ian McMichael, who was one of the driving forces. He believes it’s was “the right Why do so many of us nd the “right thing to do” such a hard thing to do?

Spelling mistake

Von Tempsky Street now becomes Puutikitiki Street; and Dawson Park, “ ese names now go back to the original inhabitants of the lands and allow their memories to be honoured.”

Down in Nelson a 180-year-old spelling mistake is being put right. Emano Street was named after Te Manu, the Ngati Tama chief of Wakapuaka. e name was bastardised along the way – recorded as E Manu and then becoming Emano as in Emano Street.

Right-minded people are pushing for wrong to be righted.

And now former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley is backing a proposal to change Russell, the nation’s rst capital, to the original name of Kororareka.

It’s just about understanding and appreciating our history, knowing where we come from, so we can forge con dently ahead. Why can’t Tauranga embrace the model, put right the wrongs of the past?

Someone suggested recently that it’s a generational problem.

“But every time someone in a Tauranga resthome or retirement home dies, we are one person closer to changing old entrenched attitudes.”

What are your thoughts? Message the burrow at: hunter@thesun.co.nz

Te Wehenga Park.

Locals greeted with graffiti

Vandalism and littering in the recently upgraded Harrisons Cut carpark and beach access area has upset local residents.

A Papamoa resident contacted e Sun after being disappointed to discover gra ti on the new Harrisons Cut carpark’s seats, scattered broken bottles, and cans in surrounding dunes of the area where locals walk, last week.

e caller, who wishes to remain anonymous, says they had just returned from their summer holiday and that the new carpark appears to be a site for parties.

e Harrisons Cut carpark re-opened last month after upgrades were carried out in the area to improve safety and resilience of the accessway, with a new retaining wall built along the stream edge of Papamoa Beach Reserve. A new footpath and road upgrades were also completed to give locals and visitors better beach access.

Disappointing

Tauranga City Council’s spaces and places operations manager Warren Aitken says it is disappointing to hear that littering and vandalism is taking place in the Harrisons Cut area. Other locals have also complained about the upgraded space. “Council has recently received three complaints regarding gra ti and litter in the Harrisons Cut area, which were all promptly

responded to by council maintenance contractors.

“Like all council-managed public spaces, the Harrisons Cut carpark area will be maintained under a regular maintenance schedule,” says Warren. “Reserve maintenance contractors frequently carry out routine inspections of this area to ensure any maintenance issues are identi ed and recti ed as soon as possible.

“In addition to inspections, formal asset inspections are carried out across the year where the condition of assets such as seats, fences, signs, furniture and bollards are checked and any repair works are added to a maintenance schedule.”

CCTV coming

e Papamoa caller says they believed council was going to include CCTV as part of the Harrisons Cut upgrades and also wondered whether the area will be gated to reduce vandalism and littering incidences. “CCTV is planned to be installed in this area over the next few months and the need for any other safety measures, such as a gate, will be regularly assessed,” says Warren.

“We appreciate the community getting in touch and encourage people to report any issue to us so we can get our contractors on site to clean it up.”

TCC’s contact centre is available 24/7. To let council know of any issues in the Harrisons Cut area, phone: 07 577 7000.

Final Days Ends Monday

Harrisons Cut carpark area has been littered and vandalised since an upgrade only completed last month. Photo: John Borren.

Georgia Minkhorst

City road closures for festival

Western Bay of Plenty drivers planning on heading into the city this weekend will be met with some road closures to accommodate a festival taking place at Tauranga Domain.

e One love Festival is one of Tauranga’s biggest festivals – and is on this Saturday, January 28, and Sunday, January 29.

Tauranga City Council is advising road closures will be in place in the city centre to support event operations and safe pedestrian access to and from the event.

e following roads will be closed from 11:59pm tonight, January 27, to 6am Monday, January 30.

Cameron Rd from Brown St to Wharf St; Durham St from Wharf St to Harington St; Hamilton St from Willow St to the end of Hamilton St West; Harington St from Willow St to Cameron Rd; Park St from Cameron Rd to Willow St; Park St from Willow St to Cli Rd; Cli Rd from Brown St to Monmouth St; Monmouth St from Cameron Rd to Willow St; Monmouth St from Willow St to Cli Rd; McLean St from Cameron Rd to Willow St; Brown St from Willow St to Cli Rd; Mission St from Chapel St to Cli Rd. Resident access will be maintained throughout the event. More information is at: www.tauranga.govt.nz/onelove

Satisfaction with city

People’s satisfaction with Tauranga City Council is low, with just 32 per cent happy, according to a council survey.

Meanwhile, the council’s image and reputation is at 23 per cent, up from 19 per cent for the previous year.

e scores are part of the TCC Annual Residents’ Survey 2021/2022. e overall satisfaction rating of 32 per cent is the same as the previous year, but has steadily declined since 2019 when it was 66 per cent. In 2020 overall satisfaction was 51 per cent. Satisfaction for those aged between 18-34 and 35-64 is 27 per cent but is signi cantly higher for those 65-plus at 46 per cent for 2021/2022.

Overall satisfaction for people who’ve lived in Tauranga for more than 10 years was much lower at 26 per cent, worse than those who had been there for less than two years, with 55 per cent of them satis ed.

Comments from dissatis ed residents included wanting more public consultation and for council to listen to and work for the people. One speci c comment was: “Not happy. I do not think we get value for money with the rates we pay”.

Another commented: “Tauranga City needs to tackle road congestion and also provide better

Juicy refund delays

Ticket holders for Tauranga’s cancelled ‘Juicy Fest’ may experience delays waiting for their refund this week.

According to event promoter Glenn Meikle, refund delays can be attributed to “hold ups” from the event organisers insurance process.

“Our event was fully insured, so we’re waiting on our end too. As soon as we receive our payment, we can get the refunds back to the customers,” says Glenn.

Juicy Fest Tauranga was scheduled to begin on Friday, January 6, but was called o due to dangerous weather conditions.

Unlicensed bike rider warning

Unlicensed or unregistered motorbike riders could potentially face a $150 ne or risk losing their bike if they are caught riding in public places.

is warning comes following an increase in unlicensed riders on unregistered dirt bikes, without helmets or protective clothing, riding in public places in the Bay of Plenty.

Senior Sergeant Megan Te Aho says police will be stopping and forbidding these riders to drive their motorbikes until they obtain a motorbike driver’s license.

e infringement ne for riding in public spaces such as parks, reserves and footpaths is $150.

Police will look to enforce this and impound motorbikes if riders continue.

Beach fatalities prompt plea

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is pleading

parking options. People who cannot bike or walk do not seem to be catered for by a design team that is not prepared to listen”.

A satis ed resident said: “ e current council is doing a fantastic job of moving Tauranga City forward. A museum is a must. I have lived here for 33 years and have not seen any of our artefacts relating to Tauranga or Bay of Plenty history”.

Positive change

One other says: “Overall, since the commissioners have been in place, there is a positive change in the level of working to understand and plan for solutions to improve local issues”.

e commissioners Bill Wasley, Stephen Selwood, Shadrach Rolleston and commission chair Anne Tolley replaced the mayor and councillors in February 2021. e survey says this is a “divisive issue” amongst respondents. “Image and reputation remains at relatively low levels following the large fall when the commissioners were appointed and remains a main area of focus for the residents,” the survey outlined.

“Trust, nancial management, annual rates and leadership are the four areas of most importance and the lowest perception.” To improve perception

The only local daily news source you need, constantly updated, seven days a week www.sunlive.co.nz News tips ph 0800 SUNLIVE

with beachgoers to visit: safeswim.org.nz to choose beaches patrolled by lifeguards, and always swim between the red and yellow ags to prevent more beach fatalities this summer.

“All of the incidents this past week have occurred outside of the patrol ags or outside of patrol times and locations, and could have been avoided,” says SLSNZ’s chief operations o cer Chris Emmett.

“We have two long weekends, Auckland Anniversary and Waitangi Day, coming up and we know people will want to head to the beach.

“To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, we ask you to head to a beach where there are lifeguards and swim between the ags, as that’s the safest place to swim.”

Speed campaign

ere are no excuses to speed – that’s the simple concept of a new road safety marketing campaign which has today been launched by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and NZ Police.

National road policing director

Superintendent Steve Greally says o cers hear the same old excuses from drivers when they’re caught speeding, time and time again. But police also have to witness the sometimes horri c consequences when there’s a crash, he says.

“ ere’s just no reasonable excuse for speeding.

“We see the unnecessary harm on our roads as a result of excessive speed every day. We need everyone to play their part in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries.”

A selection of local breaking stories featured this week on...

e commissioners Shadrach Rolleston, Bill Wasley, Anne Tolley and Stephen Selwood taking o ce is a “divisive issue” with residents. Photos: John Borren.

council remains low

among residents, commissioners and members of council need to continue rebuilding trust, the survey recommended.

Asked what the council thought had contributed to the results, Tolley replied: “TCC is currently undertaking the most ambitious capital programme of works it has ever had”.

“After many years of under-investment we’re playing catch-up; upgrading roads, water infrastructure, community amenities and building a comprehensive civic development.

“Unfortunately this also means disruption for the community, which may be impacting the satisfaction results. ere are road cones everywhere across the city; a symbol of inconvenience, but also much needed investment.”

Current projects TCC is undertaking include upgrade and addition of bus lanes and cycleways to Cameron Rd, and building Te Manawataki o Te Papa, the $304m civic precinct in the CBD.

In terms of rebuilding trust, Tolley says: “Actions speak louder than words”. “Community trust will improve when they start seeing us deliver.

“Unfortunately some of our big projects will take many years, but already the feedback we’ve had on recent completed work has been fantastic.”

is includes Kulim Park, He Puna Manawa (library and customer service centre) and Paci c Park, says Tolley. Around 24 per cent of those dissatis ed with council say there needs to be more public consultation and for council to listen. In response, Tolley says: “We [the commissioners]

have spent a huge amount of time talking with the community since we came on board, but we appreciate we’re not going to please everyone all of the time”. “We have had to make some hard decisions to deliver the infrastructure that Tauranga desperately needs.

Big decisions

“Consultation and engagement has shown signi cant support on our big development decisions including the civic redevelopment and investing in community facilities. We’ll continue to engage on new projects, but also to be open and transparent when decisions have already been made.” Council will also continue to explore more direct forms of community engagement and decision making. Tolley gave the example of the Links Avenue Community Panel, a group of 12 volunteers tasked with nding a solution to the problems on Links Ave caused by the cul-de-sac. She says the council is investigating options for the survey to ensure it captured community sentiment as accurately as possible.

“Questions have not been changed for many years and need reviewing.”

e 2021/2022 survey canvassed 669 Tauranga residents by asking around 150 people selected at random the same questions in four waves during 2022.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

Closure of Links Ave was a contentious issue among residents but one Anne Tolley says shows how TCC used a more direct form of community engagement by creation of the Links Ave Community Panel.

Saturday morning people queue to enter

Soil, slugs and celebrations

WithTauranga Farmers Market turning 20 this year,The Weekend Sun reporter Hunter Wells took a stroll around one Saturday morning to see what keeps this fresh-produce-filled institution flourishing.This is the first of two instalments from his visit.

e invading forces were massing on both the northern and southern anks. A classic pincer military manoeuvre to get rst crack at the freerange eggs, the giant silverbeet, the co ee carts, the Cornish pasties and ‘Tomato Lyn’s’ tomatoes and the like.

It’s 7.15am Saturday morning and the insurgents are a couple of dozen diehard earlybirds waiting for the Tauranga Farmers Market to open for business. By 7.30am they’ve probably swelled to nearly a hundred, although crowd counts are a lottery.

“It’s hilarious in a horrendous kind of way,” says one eager punter waiting in the queue. “Trixie

will be on her phone waiting for the moment, waiting for 7.45am. en it’s open slather.” ey’ve even seen one person in a moonboot running into the market when it opened. Trixie is Trixie Allan – manager of the Tauranga Farmers Market. Stallholders setting up their gazebos for the day are always pleased to see Trixie arrive with her keys shortly after daybreak. e keys are to the toilet block. “ ey need a pee before we open,” says Trixie. Because once the market opens there’ll be no time for mundanities like bladder comfort.

Fresh and local

People will be more absorbed in Mavis’ chutneys, jams and sauces, or Chris and Wynn’s pulverised macadamias – a superfood you know!

Every

Tauranga Farmers Market. Photos: John Borren.

Or even Mary’s vegies still sporting real Welcome Bay soil and real, live Welcome Bay slugs. “ at’s because there’s very little spray on them,” reassures Mary.

But why a queue for a bunch of carrots, an iced apple juice or a Dutch croquette? e supermarket down the road opens at 7am? ey could be in and outta there and home for breakfast by the time the farmers market opens. I just raised the question and there’s an outcry. “No way! Absolutely not!” yells one of the faithful. “Lovely fresh local produce.

“You don’t know where the stu in the supermarkets is from or how long it’s been carted around the country in trucks.”

Trixie knows – before she was entrusted with the keys to the toilet block she grew tomatoes. “We sold our produce to a broker and that’s what irks me. Our produce went all the way to a dispatch centre in Auckland and back before landing on the supermarket shelf. All that unnecessary food mileage.”

Much of the farmers market produce is picked the day before or the morning of. ere’s the Saturday morning friends, the

market mates. “And occasional margarita mates,” chips in one wag. ey are the farmers market loyalists, who catch up mostly just once-a-week for some bonding, some banter and a co ee –one of the 400 or so brewed by Vicki and Les Diggleman each Saturday at the market.

Eggs and cat photos

While on spreadsheets and numbers, there’s 5000 freerange chooks scratching away on a farm on the way to Katikati. ese chooks do noble work – popping out clutches of eggs just for the farmers market, and belying an egg shortage. Bless them!

“Yes, it is about eggs,” says egg lady Nicki McLeay. She’s yakking to this reporter but still fussing and getting stu done. “But it’s also about cat photos.” How did we get from eggs to cats? “It’s also about children and grandchildren.

“We see couples getting together at the Tauranga Farmers Market, having families and then we watch the kids grow up. So it’s more than just eggs, there’s something special about this place.” Tauranga Farmers Market is open from 7.45am to midday Saturdays.

Tauranga Farmers Market managerTrixie

Allan showing a customer the most fabulously large silverbeet leaves on o er.

MasterChef winners Kasey and Kārena Bird delivered a modern day hāngī at the inaugural Flavours of Plenty Festival last April.

Ten days of deliciousness!

Gourmands hungry for foodie fun have just a few days to wait before the Flavours of Plenty Festival launches its lip-smacking line-up.

Ticket sales open the same day the programme is announced, on February 1.

In 2022 the inaugural Flavours of Plenty festival o ered 16 events during four days, spanning the coastal Bay of Plenty from Ōhope to Waihī Beach.

“We can’t say too much ahead of next week’s launch,” says festival director Rae Baker.

“But I can tell you we have about 40 foodrelated events kicking o on March 24 including hands-on workshops and foodie tours, contests, sweet treats, cocktails and some pretty exciting multi-course meals hosted by celebrity chefs.

“Last year, we were really just starting out and

we had Covid-19 restrictions to contend with.

It is much, much bigger this year, with far more happening over a 10-day period.

“We are expecting to attract national interest.

“ e thing I love is that this festival, which celebrates our region’s produce, is that it truly bene ts everyone it touches. It helps the region economically through tourism and it puts bums on seats in restaurants who then purchase new produce from our regional producers.

“Attendees meet our often unsung food heroes and spread the word and the whole foodscape ecosystem is nurtured. It’s kind of wonderful.”

Rae says many of last year’s events sold out.

“If you adore food, my advice is to check our website next Wednesday, February 1, and nab what you want right away.

“We don’t want anyone going hungry.”

For more details, visit: avoursofplentyfestival.com

Mindful water use, whatever the weather

Water demand in Tauranga increases by about 30% during summer.

Even when it’s raining we should use water wisely. If we adapt our habits there will be enough to go around –now and in the future.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

A golden ball spinning on a pole pursued by a swirling golden dragon in the village green is part of Tauranga’s Chinese New Year in February. Behind it a red lion leaps and weaves.

e entire Tauranga Historic Village will be lit up with lanterns creating a ‘Han and Tang Dynasty Cultural Street’ while nine dancers, all uidly moving to drumming and music, wrap a long colourful dragon body into a giant coil to try and trap the ball.

Tauranga’s branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society is excited to bring the Han clothes culture and traditional Chinese dance and musical performances together from noon until evening on February 4 for a bright and dazzling Lunar New Year festivity.

Chance to learn

NZ China Friendship Society Tauranga president Tina Zhang says it’s an opportunity for people to hop onto their time machine and learn about Chinese culture. “Are you interested in knowing what ancient Chinese people eat? What did they wear? What kind of customs and culture did they have?” says Tina.

“Would you love to experience the feeling of walking through the ancient streets with hanging lanterns to indulge the beauty of ancient China of thousands of years ago in the Han and Tang Dynasties?”

e global celebrations are an explosion of light and sound, involving bell ringing, lighting recrackers and watching traditional lion dances. Chinese families gather together for a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, and clean their houses to sweep away bad fortune on New Year’s Day. Traditionally, kids would be given red envelopes stu ed with ‘lucky money’ and positive wishes on New Year’s Day.

Chinese New Year takes place on a di erent date each year, because it is based on the lunar calendar. New Year’s Day normally falls between January 21 and February 20.

Tina says the lion and dragon have a long history in Chinese culture. “Chinese people like to say we are dragon people,” says Tina. “So that’s why at every Chinese New Year we have the dragon dance and the lion dance.”

She imported the dragon costume from China. “Normally we’d have a longer dragon. You’d have 11 or 20 people; we have nine. e dragon wants to catch the ball, so he always chases it.”

e lion

e lion is a signi cant part of the Dragon and Lion Dance, which will start 8.15pm on February 4. Following the dance will be a lighting ceremony at 8.30pm with people dancing together.

Tina has lived in NZ for about 15 years, originally coming from her home city of Shen Yang in China to study here at the age of 20. She now teaches Chinese language and manages the Tauranga Chinese Language School in Bethlehem. Both Kiwi and Chinese children attend, and it’s open to anyone who wants to learn the language.

Tina estimates about 2000-3000 Chinese live in the Tauranga region. “ is New Year’s event will provide you with exciting cultural dance and traditional Chinese musical instruments performances through the day, interactive events and mini games loved by families and children, and a variety of food stalls selling di erent kinds of Chinese foods to satisfy your stomach.”

Children’s activities, hand crafts, Chinese calligraphy, lantern riddles, ferrule, free candy oss, face painting, folk music, dance performances and the traditional Chinese wedding hydrangea thro and food stalls will also feature. e Tauranga Chinese New Year Festival is next Saturday, February 4, from 3pm-9pm at e Historic Village. Admission is free.

HOMECARE

Independence is vital to maintaining a quality of life.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Chinese New Year will be celebrated at Tauranga Historic Village on February 4. Photo: John Borren.

Youth kōrero about climate change

Tauranga City Council is calling on the city’s youth to directly in uence how we tackle climate change by kicking o the conversation with a Youth Climate Forum – named Te Toka Whakaea –on Saturday, February 11.

e event at Huria Marae in Brook eld is open to 13-24-year-olds and will bring together a diverse range of rangatahi and guest speakers to discuss the biggest climate issues a ecting Tauranga Moana.

Input gathered from those taking part will feed directly into the city’s rst climate plan being developed by the council.

Important stakeholders

Tauranga City Council Commission chair Anne Tolley says youth are important stakeholders in planning for the future.

“Council can’t plan for how Tauranga will address something as signi cant as climate change without hearing from the younger generation who we know are passionate about the health of the planet, and who can be future leaders of Tauranga.”

TCC manager of strategic Māori engagement Carlo Ellis says an inclusive and collaborative approach between all parts of our community is essential to address climate change.

“ is is an exciting opportunity for the young people of Tauranga to attend an event speci cally designed to hear their concerns and hopes for the future of the city.

“Ideally, we will draw solutions from those of our community who will be here facing the challenges front on – our rangatahi.

“Tangata whenua have always had a necessity to operate in harmony with the environment, and that lens brings centuries of learnings to the table.

Inspiring

“It will be inspiring to see the city’s rangatahi of all backgrounds converge on Huria Marae to plan for how we can best undertake climate action in Tauranga Moana.”

e forum name, Te Toka Whakaea, references the ‘rock’ (te toka) of Tauranga landmark Te Toka a Tirikawa (North Rock). ‘Whakaea’ means to appear above the surface, come up for air, or to surface for air – in other words to persevere through everything the world throws at us. is name acts as a challenge for youth to hold fast to the roadmap of change to protect Tauranga Moana landmarks, heritage, and land from the e ects of climate change. Once developed, the Tauranga Climate Plan will identify emission reduction targets and set clear actions to achieve climate goals.

Limited spaces for Te Toka Whakaea – Youth Climate Forum are still available - anyone wanting to take part should pre-register. ose who can’t make it along but want to contribute to the climate plan can complete a survey to have their feedback included in its development.

To nd out more, visit:

www.tauranga.govt.nz/youthclimateforum

FEBRUARYSALE

$1 ALL CLOTHING

Men’s, women’s & children’s, for all of February

Tauranga youth took part in the ‘global climate strike’ back in 2019 – now they’re invited to share their views on how we tackle climate change at an upcoming Youth Climate Forum. Photo: Daniel Hines.

ere’s only one thing better than that new car smell. at’s buying a vehicle, which at a launch price starting at $28,990 + ORC, is an absolute bargain. Add an SUV body, a high level of speci cation, excellent fuel economy and the brand pedigree of Kia and you have an amazing value proposition.

is is the experience Kia’s new Seltos provides and it does a great job of leaving no questions as to why it is one of the most popular small SUVs on the market. Being so versatile, the Seltos has a broad appeal to singles, couples, families and businesses, and is perfect for someone who has kids, a variety of outdoor equipment,

or even pets they need to get from A to B.

My test drive of the Seltos showed me this is a car that’s not too big yet is far from cramped and is incredibly well priced for the countless features it has on o er.

Countless features

Kia’s 2023 Seltos has an amazing interior. e brand new 4.2 inch digital speedometer is the perfect marriage between technology and simplicity.

It clearly displays the current speed limit, has intelligent navigation queues, such as when you are approaching the sides of a lane, and helpful data like remaining distance to empty.

Seltos features an easy to use 8 inch touchscreen Infotainment System with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto

linked to a six-speaker audio system. If that’s not enough, the Seltos also features multiconnection Bluetooth with Voice Recognition.

Luggage capacity is a welcome surprise. With the rear seatbacks split 60/40, the vehicle can hold a whopping 1428 litres of space on the LX model, and 1393 on the LX+.

Kia’s Seltos boasts a ve-star ANCAP safety rating, which is no surprise to me after having driven it. Kia says the Seltos has been designed to protect the driver, a move which is obvious from the moment you start driving.

e vehicle has countless safety features, such as a warning if the driver’s attention has been signi cantly reduced, collision avoidance assist, a reversing view monitor with dynamic guidelines, front and rear parking sensors, and also a lane-keep and

a lane-follow assist system packed in. With all of this on o er, some readers may have been expecting an eye-watering price tag, which couldn’t be further from reality. Given you can purchase a Seltos LX from $28,990 + ORC, and the LX Plus from $31,990 + ORC, the value for money here is absolutely fantastic.

Test-drive today!

is vehicle o ers a premium, smooth driving experience loaded with features for an absolute bargain. If you’re like me and love a car loaded with easy-to-use gadgets, I recommend contacting the friendly team at Tauranga Motor Company to check out the 2023 Seltos for yourself. Tauranga Motor Company is located at 100 Hewletts Rd. Or phone 07 578 1378.

$28,990

Features include:

MRP $28,990

•2.0L DOHC MPI D-CVVT Petrol Engine

Features include:

•Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)

•Front Wheel Drive

•16” Alloys

•2.0L DOHC MPI D-CVVT Petrol Engine

•Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)

•Front Wheel Drive

•5 Star ANCAP Rating (2019 Standard)

•16” Alloys

• Autonomous Emergency Braking with Car & Pedestrian Detection

•5 Star ANCAP Rating (2019 Standard)

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• Halogen Projection Front Headlamps

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• 8” Colour LCD Touchscreen

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Taylor Rice

Family memories waiting to be rediscovered

If your family lived in Tauranga from the 1960s there’s a good chance some of that history was captured and is now available online at Tauranga City Council’s archive Pae Korokī.

Perhaps an older relative excelled at local sport, worked to put together some of the city’s renowned buildings, or spent all their time at the beach.

All these activities and many more are available to view and can provide memories for those who lived it, and insight for the younger generation as to what day-to-day life was like in Tauranga. ousands of photographs, paintings, videos, meeting minutes, plans and maps can be found in the online collections.

e keyword search function makes it easy to enter a surname, business, or organisation to see what the happenings were decades ago.

What life was like

TCC community services general manager Barbara Dempsey says Pae Korokī is great tool for anyone looking to discover more about their family history and the development of Tauranga throughout the years. “A colleague was able to nd half a dozen pictures of relatives photographed 60 years ago just by searching a surname, and some of those images had not been seen by the family since

printed in the paper at the time. “It’s creating good conversations and memories of what life was like in Tauranga and the stories behind some of the photos.”

Digitisation

Images ranging from the late-1950s through to the mid-1980s, donated to Tauranga City Library by then Bay of Plenty Times owners Gi ord and Cross families, make up a portion of the historic photographs available for viewing while content in other collections, including archives and artworks dates to the early 19th Century.

Much of the digitisation of the photographs, artworks and archives over the past two years has been possible via a $100,000 funding grant TCC received from the Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund. TCC’s Libraries team recently collaborated with Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision to ensure a range of historic video content is also digitised. If you have questions about the collections or would like to contribute to the archive, email: research@tauranga.govt.nz

Tauranga Post O ce sta pre-Christmas in 1960.

Tauranga City Libraries Photo gca-240.

Digitising a painting in the Tauranga archive collection.

Photo: Tauranga City Council.

e shopping rush one week before Christmas Day 1963.

Tauranga City Libraries Photo gcc-5529.

Tauranga Boys’ College sur ng group in 1967.

Tauranga City Libraries Photo gca-15175.

The independence you’re used to, with the space to entertain.

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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.

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

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A warm welcome to new Labour leadership

It is great to hear about the approval of Tauranga’s innovative new courthouse.

I worked as a domestic violence advisor based in the Tauranga regional o ce in McLean St.

I saw the condition of the old courthouse as I was often in it and my o ce looked down on the leaking roof. I’m delighted for our city, and all my friends and colleagues who work there. I’m also stoked the new court will o er modern justice solutions – drug and family violence courts that meet the

needs of victims as well.

It’s been a week! My rst leadership change experience was navigated respectfully and decisively with steadfast unity.

Chris Hipkins is incredibly intelligent with a strong sense of duty and commitment. He gives his all to everything he does.

I adore his fun-loving nature, optimism, and awesome sense of humour. We all back him and look forward to October 14.

Carmel Sepuloni was New Zealand’s rst Tongan MP –

now she’s our rst Deputy Prime Minister of Paci c descent. Another glass ceiling broken, another step towards neutralising bias – conscious or unconscious. Carmel and I have worked together since 2017. Like me, Carmel has experienced being a single mum and has bene ted from the training incentive allowance which enabled a hand up. She would never pull the ladder up behind her. She’s been an extraordinary Minister and a massive feminist with women at the heart of all she does. I love the combination of Chippy and Carmel. I’m 100 per cent behind them both. Let’s go!

Ready and focused on the core issues...

National and Labour both held their annual caucus retreats in the Hawke’s Bay this month, in a strange scheduling coincidence.

I think it’s fair to say the Blue Team had the better outcome.

National Leader Christopher Luxon announced the National Caucus portfolios and I am delighted to have been con rmed in my role as Agriculture Spokesperson, with the addition of the Climate Change portfolio too. is is my second time with Climate Change and I’m looking forward to working with the agricultural sector to develop a climate change policy that

works for farmers as well as for New Zealand’s international environment obligations.

It’s hard to ignore the events in Government over the past week, with a major change in Labour’s leadership line up and further Cabinet reassignments too. We are hearing sound bites designed to appeal to middle New Zealand, who have expressed growing alarm at the radical swerve to the left that the previous leadership were taking our country in.

I wish Chris Hipkins well in his new role. He has indicated that some of the more contentious policies, that we’ve been surprised

with since the last election, will be put on the backburner. No doubt that will be welcome news to many. But if legislation by stealth has been acceptable to the Government this term, can we believe that they won’t do the same if re-elected for a third term this October?

During the next nine months my colleagues and I will stay focused on the core issues of cost of living, rising crime, overwhelmed health services and falling educational achievement. Tax relief, welfare-to-work programmes and consequences for youth and gang crime are other key areas we will address as the next National government. Have a great February and I hope to see you out and about in the Bay.

Gift card warning from Consumer NZ

You may only have one or two – you may have a wad of them left from Christmas. Either way, Consumer NZ is urging Kiwis to check the expiry dates on gift cards they received this holiday season, so they don’t miss out on redeeming them.

According to Consumer NZ research, 24 per cent of gift card-holders end up stuck with a card they can’t fully redeem because either the card expires or the retailer goes bust.

e watchdog estimates New Zealanders are collectively losing in excess of $10 million per year

on unspent gift cards.

Recently, National MP Melissa Lee’s Fair Trading (Gift Card Expiry) Amendment Bill was drawn from the ballot. If passed, it will see the minimum expiry date of gift cards extended to three years. For more on gift cards, see: www.consumer.org.nz

Authorised by Todd Muller MP, 3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa.

Authorised by Angie Warren-Clark MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Can you drive when diagnosed with dementia?

According to Alzheimer’s New Zealand, having di culty nding your way around, remembering which way to turn, judging the speed of other cars and the distance from other cars and objects, hand-eye coordination, and reaction times can all be caused by dementia and a ect your ability to drive.

Will I be allowed to continue driving if I have dementia?

is is a commonly asked question and one that puts people o from getting a diagnosis in the rst place as they fear the answer will be ‘No’.

At some point

A dementia diagnosis does not necessarily mean the automatic removal of your driver’s licence. However, it does mean that you will have to stop driving at some point, depending on how your dementia is a ecting you.

When...

As with other big health changes, your ability to drive may be part of your GP and medical specialists ongoing review. As we age, it’s normal to stop driving at some point. e hard decision is when.

Many people give up their licence voluntarily.

Others have to do it on a health professional’s recommendation. Either way, it’s a hard decision to make and often feels quite overwhelming. Try to ensure that you still keep doing the things you love by asking others for a lift, or taking taxis or buses –

Get behind a sewing machine for good

A monthly sewing club is to begin on February 25 where Western Bay of Plenty residents can get together on the last Saturday of every month to work on projects and much more. e group is called e Social Fabric Sewing Club and will include guest

tutors, workshops and community sewing projects at its monthly meetings – and everyone is welcome.

e club will run the last Saturday of each month from 10am-2pm at the Creative Campus at e Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga City.

ey may have wound up over the ditch, but Pat and Robbie Dixon’s love story began here in the Bay of Plenty in the 1950s and it’s still going 70 years later.

e 87-year-olds saw the end of 2022 out by celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary, the platinum anniversary, at the Croydon Hotel in Victoria, Australia. “We had many friends and family attend and also family from New Zealand who we hadn’t seen for ages. It was a great day,” says Pat. e platinum duo also received a congratulations letter from the new King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.

Blind date

Pat and Robbie married when they were just 17 years old in Pongakawa at Pat’s mothers and stepfather’s home on December 20, 1952. Fittingly, the theme of their wedding anniversary was ‘We still

do since 1952’. It was the pair’s parents who had a part to play in their getting together.

“Robbie’s parents worked for Pax Hickson in Pongakawa and I was with my parents who worked on a farm across the road. Robbie needed a partner for a dance and our parents organised a blind date.

“And the rest is history you could say!”

Life’s seasons

In 1958, Pat and Robbie moved to Tauranga to work on a farm in Cambridge Rd. In 1961 they built a home in Greerton, where their children grew up. “We had four lovely daughters Barbara, Pamela, Valerie and Kathryn, who all went to Greerton Primary and later to Tauranga Girls’ College.” At this time Robbie worked on dairy farms before driving trucks as a road worker. “I began working full-time in 1967, at Richardson’s Fashions and Fabrics in

Over the ditch and still Move with Mobiltech

Get your mobility and independence back with the top quality services of Mobilitech.

Mobilitech is a Bay of Plenty family business run by Caleb and Steph Kirkham, o ering mobility products and equipment from mobility scooters, wheelchairs, walking frames and more.

“We got into the business to o er a better service at good rates,” says Steph, who started up Mobilitech with her husband Caleb a year ago after both working in the industry for ve years.

A core part of Mobilitech is their repair services, where Caleb has a combined 12 years’ worth of experience as an electrician and appliance technician.

“I want to stay in the industry for a long time and become one of the most knowledgeable, trusted, experienced technician companies, and o er a service that people can rely on,” says Caleb. Ensuring customers feel cared for is essential to Caleb and Steph. “It’s not all about rushing in and xing a client’s

scooter or walker – it’s then just taking ve or 10 minutes to chat and say ‘Hi’, explain what you’ve done and just having a bit of conversation,” says Steph.

“I nd it incredibly rewarding just how grateful people are because they rely so heavily on this equipment for their independence,” says Caleb.

For more information and to get in touch with Mobilitech, see their advert on this page.

Georgia Minkhorst

Robbie Dixon and Pat Dixon, both aged 17, cutting their wedding cake in 1952.

Grandpa Bill Kirkham & Caleb Kirkham.

hitched... 70 years on!

smoothly.” And while the couple, who have 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, may not share a home anymore their love for one another is still ever present.

e key

Pat says Robbie now lives in aged care and has dementia.

“He still remembers me most of the time and I visit him daily.”

Robbie and Pat Dixon at their ‘We still do since 1952’ themed wedding anniversary celebration.

continued...

Greerton, then at Inductance Specialists,” says Pat. In 1979 the couple moved to Australia to be closer to family and have lived there ever since. eir seven-decade-long road of marriage hasn’t been without

its heartache, however. Pamela sadly died of cancer in 2002 at age 46. “Like many marriages the early years are bumpy with bringing up little ones, shortage of money and lots of arguments but later things settle and go

Pat shared what she loves most about her husband, who was one of the rst team members at the Greerton Rugby Club. “He is kind, hardworking, a very good cook – bonus – and loving. He tells me he thinks I am special.”

So what is the key to a long marriage? Pat says it’s luck. “Of course love is a very important part but meeting the right one in the rst place I think is the key.

“We have come a long way since 1952 and are very proud of our achievements.”

Georgia Minkhorst

A record-breaking Remembrance tree tally

Waipuna Hospice will have $80,397 more in the co ers to undertake its much-needed work this year thanks to a record-breaking Remembrance Tree appeal in 2022.

Waipuna Hospice itself raised a record-breaking $38,887 directly from the community during the

appeal, while Farmers raised a further $41,510 –together totalling $80,397. Money raised from this appeal will help Waipuna Hospice continue to provide palliative specialist care to people in the community. To donate funds to Waipuna Hospice, visit: www.waipunahospice.org.nz/donate

OPEN DAILY:

Monday – Friday: 9am-5pm

Saturday – Sunday: 10am-4pm

Wander Whangarei’s new wonder

Driven from the Far North bach by the weather gods, we retreated to Whangarei. e next day: sun! Ripped o but determined to tick o another must-do of the north, I haul the family towards the new Hundertwasser Art Centre in the Town Basin.

Adorned with a golden cupola, three storeys high with the iconic black-white-colour mosaic, you can’t miss it across Whangarei CBD’s landscape – neither do you want to.

What is outside, inside and atop this long-awaited centre is magical; gold. e building, its architecture, Hundertwasser’s

near the art centre draws many children for an inquisitive look.

life story, artistic talent and philosophies are shown in a way that rivals top museums.

Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser rst cast his spell on me as a youngster as I went to pee in Kawakawa’s public toilets. Newly-created, the mosaic, bottle walls and uneven oors were crafted by Hundertwasser. In 1990s New Zealand, these were a novel, slightly unnerving but beautiful spectacle.

Hudertwasser had made Kawakawa his home and his toilets revived the sleepy, low-income town into an international tourism mecca. As a Northland youngster, I watched more inspired creations unfurl as the town’s fame blossomed. Whangarei wanted a ‘Hundertwasser’ of its own and the economic joy that accompanied it – but bureaucracy and opposition got in the way for 20-odd years.

Finally, a community-led campaign and council

...continued

Boutique tours for the mature explorer

Relax as you tour New Zealand’s beautiful backyard in the care of the friendly team at Seemore Tours.

Providing group guided travel for the mature explorer is boutique tour company Seemore Tours’ speciality. “We like to o er senior travellers the security of knowing that they’re taken care of as well as bring plenty of fun to the tour!,” says director Nikki Clerke. Seemore groups range from eight-16 travellers to ensure a personal, inclusive and friendly tour experience.

“We like to know everyone’s names, get to know a little bit about them, and so by keeping groups small, people have the opportunity to connect with everyone else in the group also.

“We always include a knowledgeable guide and driver on our tours, and our coaches are comfortable and roomy.”

e Seemore team also look after transfers at no extra cost.

“You can walk out your front door knowing that all the details of your holiday have been taken care of.”

If you’re looking to go on another holiday and get o -grid, Seemore Tours is doing a tour of Great Barrier Island from April 3-6. “It’s a beautiful time of year to visit a beautiful island.

“Our travellers get to know the people, places and faces of this

Twin share $2,195pp (plus $120pp for layover accommodation)

Single $2,495pp (plus $220pp for layover accommodation)

Prepare to be amazed when you set out on a 40 minute flight to Great Barrier Island. You’ll be dazzled by the night sky, blown away by breathtaking scenery and you’ll go home with a real appreciation of the raw natural beauty this island has on offer. Join us and unwind in your beach side accommodation while listening to the noisy island Kaka’s fight over native berries.

To learn more, visit our website or contact us for more information: Call: 0800 SEEMORE (733667) Email: nikki@seemoretours.co.nz Visit:

island because we put people in touch with a lot of locals. “We like to do that because then travellers get a wholesome overview of how people live there.”

For more information, see Seemore Tours’ advert on this page.

Twin share $4,390pp (plus $120pp for layover accommodation)

Single $4,990pp (plus $220pp for layover accommodation)

Lock your front door and step out into the subtropical warmth of the far north. Enjoy watching the sunset over Baylys Beach, unwind with some downtime in Cable Bay, appreciate the stunning scenery in Cape Reinga and 90-mile beach, and relax in the historic town of Russell. This is the perfect kiwi summer holiday infused with some wonderful experiences.

Photos: Merle Cave.

Hundertwasser Art Centre stands proudly in Whangarei’s Town Basin.

Beautiful sunsets over Tryphena Bay, Great Barrier Island.

native timber from the original building, 5000 recycled pavers and 3000m2 of locally crafted tiles. e tiles, within and outside, show how the people of Whangarei fought to bring this long-held dream to reality – with donatees signing o their tiles. Some have family names; another says: ‘ e Bear & e Genie’. e rst oor hosts a cinema room, giftshop and the high-quality gallery of

Māori art, plus toilets and a reception. e second oor is a restaurant with views of the harbour. e third oor is dedicated to Hundertwasser, his story, his artform, his conservationism, his philosophy. Alongside Kawakawa’s toilets, this centre is the only other example of Hundertwasser’s architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. Absorb it in person, for your own sake.

Merle Cave continued...

funds saw the old, vacant Northland Regional Council building morph into the Hundertwasser Art Centre & Wairau Māori Art – New Zealand’s rst public gallery dedicated to contemporary Māori art – and open in February 2022.

Compelling

Again the magic beckoned – and I was not disappointed. e building’s exterior is compelling. e inside is more fascinating still. Everything is Hundertwasser – from his architecture, art, conservation philosophies right down to his respect for Māori culture and indigenous values.

Uneven oors ow outside in, the black-white and surprising-butseamless pops of colour irt with eyes.

ere’s no modern architecture here (well, maybe a little) but rst is uniqueness, individuality, creativity – especially that which runs in harmony with nature. In keeping with his conservation/ nature philosophy, the centre boasts spontaneous vegetation, tree tenants and an a orested roof!

On the latter grows one of the world’s rarest plants, the ree Kings Kaikomako.

Sustainability and art

Ecological sustainability is central to the building’s construction, which along with new materials, has used 40,000 recycled bricks, 1600m3 of recycled

Explore the moana in style with Aqua 360

Perfectly positioned on the shores of Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui, and surrounded by a backdrop of pure natural beauty, Aqua 360 o ers epic jet ski tours around the moana (sea) and hire packages to suit anyone’s tastes.

Aqua 360 is kitted out with the best – from brandnew high-spec jet skis to adrenaline-packed water fun, like sea biscuit adventures, wakeboarding, water skiing, shing, high-tech safety equipment, and an A-team of experienced tour guides to explore the moana in style.

Launched in 2021, Aqua 360 husband-and-wife team Zane and Bailey Perham, and Zane’s sister Zayla Rehu, love to see the big smiles of happy adventurers on the Aqua 360 experience. “ at’s what it’s all about,” says Bailey. “People enjoying themselves

and having a whole lot of fun.

“Incorporating te ao Māori values and the cultural heritage of Tauranga Moana into the Aqua 360 experience was very important to us.”

In addition to running their own business, the couple are heavily involved in youth development programmes and events.

“One of the greatest rewards as business owners and youth mentors is the opportunity to utilise the business to support rangatahi (youth) in our rohe (region).

“Connecting with the moana and the beautiful natural outdoor spaces can deliver an incredible healthy physical and mental component to life – and it’s fun and rewarding,” says Bailey.

If you’re in the area or planning a visit, come and see the team at Aqua 360 for one of the most unique moana adventures you’ll ever have. For more inspiration on what to see and do in the Bay, visit: www.bayofplentynz.com

e the late Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

e rooftop garden, with the golden cupola.

encourages passers-by to drop coins in and make a wish.

e team at Aqua 360 want to show o the beautiful Pilot Bay.

Government response to building supplies due in March

e Government is set to reveal in March what response it will take to help boost greater competition in residential building supplies sector to reduce costs for Kiwis.

Following the release, late-2022, of the Commerce Commission’s market study nal report Building and Construction Minister Dr Megan Woods and Commerce and Consumer A airs Minister Dr David Clark said the Government will take action to increase competition in the residential building supplies sector.

“We asked the Commerce Commission to review our key building supplies markets and industry supply chains, to nd what can be done to improve competition and ensure consumers were getting a fair deal,” says Clark.

Two key factors

“ e Commission’s report found two key factors negatively impact competition in this crucial sector, including incentives that favour familiar building products in the building regulatory system and quantity-forcing rebates.

“ is means it’s harder for alternative products that o er consumers a choice, to get into or expand in the market.

“We welcome these ndings and will consider the recommendations, to understand what changes are necessary to help increase competition, and ultimately bring down costs for consumers, which is

hugely important in these challenging global cost of living times.

“In the coming weeks and months, we will talk to stakeholders, with a Government response expected in March 2023. In the meantime, important work already happening, will continue,” says Clark.

Woods says building supplies make up a sizeable chunk of the costs of new residential housing “so we already have building sector reforms underway, including a review of the building consent system”. “ e Commerce Commission recommendations dovetail into MBIE’s current review of the consent system.

“System changes take time because they are important to get right, we continually look for opportunities to improve the way the current building consent system works while more signi cant reforms are developed.”

Last month the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment released updated guidance on the building consent process and a new standardised checklist for residential building consent applications.

“ is will help lift the quality and consistency of building consent

applications,” says Woods.

“Recommendations in the report align with moves we made to help resolve the national plasterboard shortage. e Commerce Commission notes this success, saying that MBIE initiatives and the Ministerial Plasterboard Taskforce illustrate what can be done to improve greater competition.

“ e recently-announced Critical Materials Taskforce springboards o that work to prevent further acute building supply shortages.

More to be done

“But we know there is still more to be done to ensure consumers get a better deal and builders have the materials they need to do their jobs.”

“ e Commission also identi ed land covenants and exclusive lease terms as other key issues, which we have swiftly addressed and actioned in follow up to previous market studies,” says Clark.

“ ese market studies are maturing, and with that we can see recurring themes starting to emerge. e use of land covenants and exclusive leases is a good example of this.

“ e Commerce Commission has now recommended Government looks into the scale and use of land covenants, exclusive leases and contractual provisions with similar e ect across the economy – which we will do.” e report is available on the Commerce Commission’s website.

Library gone - what about the books?

With the Te Puna Library building being demolished to a pile of rubble this month, next month the community is being invited to meet to decide the fate of its assets –including 3300 books.

In late-November 2022 the Te Puna Library Committee was informed that the library building was due for demolition when the Te Puna School closed for the Christmas holidays.

All the books and shelves were removed from the building thanks to help from the committee and the Te Puna Lions. In the second week of January bulldozers moved in and the library building was ripped down.

With the Te Puna Library Committee having moved and agreed to formally wind up the Te Puna Community Library, it is now holding a public meeting to discuss the options of how to dispose of the assets of the library.

and cash deposits of approximately $12,000.

e cash deposits came from Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s targeted Te Puna rates levy and accrued during the Covid period when no book-buys took place.

Te Puna residents may wish to be involved in where their library contributions end up. For more information, ring David Parker on: 027 222 2824.

The wisdom of choosing new windows

If you’re thinking of replacing your home’s windows, make sure you do your research well – this means you working out how you use your windows at home, talking with a reputable supplier at your place and viewing their showroom.

Our family recently made the call to re-window our entire home. When we bought the fourbedroom plus o ce house about 10 years ago what stuck out was all the di erent-coloured frames of windows, some wood, some aluminium. Also, some were double glazed and/or tinted and others were not.

As we lived in the home over the last decade we learnt which areas had unsuitable windows that let in too much sunlight or heat – or didn’t let in enough sun or warmth.

We called in a supplier to measure the house’s windows and make recommendations to suit our existing frame sizes. Most advice was super helpful but a few points I disagreed on.

e sales rep advised not to have opening windows in the kitchen, or only have one awning window, so rain didn’t come in.

I disagreed, knowing this would not let much air in – which was much-needed as cooking in the kitchen was an absolute killer on hot summer days. e sales rep said rain would come in. I said

I’d shut the window when it’s raining. Of course, as the customer I won. So sticking to your guns –especially if you’ve lived in the home for a decent chunk of time – and you intend to live in it for a long time yet – is reasonable I feel.

We also made sure we got tinted windows on one side/end of the house where the sun shines all day – formerly they were non-tinted, single-glaze. Once replaced, what a di erence the new tinted, double glaze windows have made. Whatever time of day these two rooms are the coolest in the house but still cosy in winter. In the supplier’s showroom I was surprised by the many types of handle designs. e ones we chose are so di erent to our old handles – they are larger and easier for the little hands in our home to move with ease.

One error on our part was that we replaced a dark-tinted window with an untinted one in the master bedroom. I’m not sure now why we did this. But the new double-glaze window – while e ective – with no tint has made this room warmer. It has also taken some privacy from this room. Never mind – we live and learn.

Re-windowing your home can make a huge di erence to the temperature, light levels and aesthetics of your home. So make sure you research the move well before making the investment.

e Te Puna Library building after demolition this month. Photo: supplied. Merle Cave

FIRST HEARING CENTRE

Tauranga residents have until mid-February to have their say on the Government’s new ree Waters Reform bills.

Tauranga City Council is advising residents that time is of the essence for anyone keen to share their feedback on the latest chapter in the Government’s ree Waters Reform process. ree Waters is a government-led initiative to merge and standardise water services nationwide. Before its summer break, the Government released two new legislative bills, the Water Services Legislation Bill and Water Services Economic E ciency and Consumer Protection Bill.

Submissions open

e two bills are open for submissions from councils and the wider public until mid-February. Individuals have until February 12, 2023, to make a submission, with council submissions closing February 17, 2023.

Due to a short submission window and breadth of the legislation, TCC has joined forces with 21 other councils in the Entity B area to enlist the aid

of Simpson Grierson, a legal rm specialising in public policy analysis.

orough review

e rm will assist TCC and the other councils to conduct a thorough review of the bills. is will allow TCC to submit an accurate and impactful response within the Government’s timeframe. According to TCC, the limited timeframe to submit responses also means the council is unable to incorporate community feedback into its formal council submission.

Instead, TCC encourages people submit their feedback on the two bills via the submission portals. To make individual submissions follow the submission prompts on New Zealand Parliament’s webpages for the Water Services Legislation Bill and the Water Services Economic E ciency and Consumer Protection Bill. Or see:

www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission

Transfer of water services from councils to the new entities is scheduled to happen July 1, 2024. Tauranga’s water services will transfer to Water Services Entity B, along with 21 other councils.

Have your say on Three Waters reforms Success in your next venture

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Teresa and Scott Jacobs of Borders Real Estate.

For Whom The Bell Tolls...

So, 2023 has been a rotten year for musicians; and we’re only just reaching February...

It’s been the rst conversation at recent musical gatherings. For me, I’ve lost childhood heroes, people I took for granted, people I admired, and even ones I knew and liked in person. I suspect the same is true for a lot of us.

I never paid much attention to Lisa Marie Presley but many folk were much more a ected, remembering her growing up, the extraordinary marriages, and how impossible it must have been to establish yourself while dragging around perhaps the most legendary legacy of all.

But I mourn for Renee Geyer, who really was a unique gem of a singer and toured and played with numerous New Zealand musicians. ey treated her as royalty; she was just so good.

And Larry Morris? I rst met Larry through Ritchie Pickett but by then had already learned the guitar solo from ‘I Feel Good’. What a wonderful rush of a song. Even now I love that guitar solo and am amazed at the falsetto vocal, followed in a stoke of brilliant intuition by a high vibrating guitar note. ere is a hit remake just waiting...

Once you’d met him you never forgot Larry, with his rich deep voice, always ready to shoot the breeze and share a million disreputable stories and musical adventures (often seeming to involve illicit substances). I hope he’s jamming up a storm with Ritchie in that heavenly honky-tonk.

Crosby

David Crosby was always part of my musical landscape, from the Byrds to CSNY’s ‘Déjà vu’ and the never-ending revivals. He keeps appearing in biographies of others, usually as an agent of chaos, but his own autobiography, ‘Long Time Gone’, was a disturbing trip from the top to the bottom told by clearly the world’s biggest ego.

It’s riveting stu .

e UK Guardian summed him up well: “He could... be impossible: overbearing, mouthy, convinced of his own brilliance. e thing was, he was right: Crosby genuinely was brilliant. He was blessed with a beautiful voice and an uncanny gift for harmony”.

Perhaps that’s epitomised by ‘Lady Friend’, a song recorded by e Byrds, on which he wiped his bandmates’ contributions and replaced them with his own multi-tracked voice. Yes, the result is fantastic; but no wonder they red him.

And then there was Je Beck. I’ve always regarded him as the best of the English guitarists. He astounds me. His playing rips out my heart and leaves my jaw on the oor.

I don’t even want to write about him. Just go on YouTube – look for anything.

But particularly look for clips from 2007 at Ronnie Scott’s in London, a small intimate club, backed by 21-year-old Australian bass player Tal Wilkenfeld. Prepare to be amazed. But then everything he did amazed. He could say more with one delicate sweep of a whammy bar than most guitarist manage in a lifetime.

Shakespeare?

And, unusually, perhaps I might expand upon this week’s headline. ‘For Whom e Bell Tolls’.

It is, most recognisably, the title of an Ernest Hemingway novel. But its origin...?

him before, and I do so at any opportunity, since Donne, born slightly after Shakespeare in 1572, wrote what have become a lot of great song lyrics. It was Donne who wrote: “Send not to know for whom the bells tolls, it tolls for thee”. It was also Donne who wrote: “No man is an island”, and coined the phrase “catch a falling star”. And more. If people are still pinching your work after 450 years I reckon you’re doing alright!

Renee Geyer.

Many people assume it’s Shakespeare. It usually is.

Shakespeare coined so many now-common terms that his place as GOAT is secure. In ‘Macbeth’ our titular ane murders King Duncan with a bell as the signal. e full quote? “Who knows for whom the bell tolls? It tolls for thee Duncan.”

Except, sorry to say, it never happened. What Shakespeare wrote was: “Hear it not Duncan for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell.” Not even similar. e other quote, this week’s headline, comes from English metaphysical poet John Donne. You may have heard me mention

Presenting life changing perspectives on making your wishes come true. Special Guest Speaker from Australia, Rev. Steve shares how using the laws of the mind can make wishes and dreams come true. Imagine how the wishes and aspirations we hold this very moment are shaping our future. They will become the roadmap to accomplishments and success we will achieve this year and beyond. This means that whether we are young, middle -aged, or in our twilight years, the time we spend thinking about our dreams and acting on them will have tremendous impact on our happiness and success. Our future cannot grow better or achieve bigger things than its original design. So, what is your dream today? What do you wish for? Rev. Steve will teach the laws of the mind to achieve your wishes, as taught by Napoleon Hill. One-hour presentation, short meditation practices followed by question and answer session.

practices

Steve Bellingham

139 Greerton Road, Gate Pa, Tauranga Free Event. Donations Welcome

Bookings: TEXT 027 446 5357

Larry Morris.

Je Beck.

Free movie night tonight!

A free outdoor movie night is on o er tonight – January 27 – on Tauranga’s waterfront thanks to Tauranga City Council.

e community is invited to watch ‘Willy Wonka & the

Time to write that book

Chocolate Factory’ – one of Roald Dahl’s epic tales – from 7pm, with screening to start at sunset, around 7.30pm.

Movie-goers are encouraged to grab dinner and treats from

Downtown Tauranga, dress warm and bring a blanket to sit on and stay warm. Co ee and popcorn will be available to purchase (cash only). e next free cinema event will be on February 10.

Novel Writing 101 is a weekly class for aspiring authors that covers the ‘nuts and bolts’ of writing a novel.

Award-winning local author Carol Garden will take participants through everything she’s learned about the craft of writing in recent years – and wishes she’d known before she wrote her rst book.

Novel Writing 101 will run Wednesday mornings at the Wesley Centre in irteenth Ave.

In an informal, down-to-earth approach, Carol will cover the elements of plot, characters, point of view, structure, dialogue, setting and more, in a friendly, supportive environment.

Carol’s rst novel, ‘Kidnap at Mystery Island’, won the Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award in 2021 and was published by Scholastic. Since then she has completed her second novel for children and is currently writing her rst adult crime novel.

Novel Writing: 101 starts on February 8. Email: carol.garden45@gmail.com for more details.

History to soar on February 4

You won’t see the Avenger rocketing through the sky anymore, but it de nitely puts on a show when it’s started up! With a roar and cloud of smoke, history seeps from its engines.

On February 4, Classic Flyers NZ will celebrate their 18th year with a community open day. e event will be an awesome aero- lled day with aircraft start up demos, re truck rides, DC-3 scenic ights and more. “It’s a fun time for family, old and

young to be entertained with plenty of food and drink too,” says Classic Flyer’s Cory Tyler.

“People can have a look behind the scenes and see what our volunteers do.

“ e aircraft that we have here at Classic Flyers are unique and unusual as well as being noisy and smoky when you start them up.” Among them is the Grumman TBF-1C Avenger, a torpedo bomber rst used in the US service in 1942.

“ e Avenger is a unique aircraft that folds its wings to t on aircraft carriers during

WWII, our Avenger has been restored by volunteers to start up and fold its wings out.

“Onlookers enjoy the spectacle of being able to see these machines come to life up close and in many instances can get a chance to sit in many of our aircraft.”

Be wowed by the wonder of aviation next Saturday, February 4, at Classic Flyers NZ, 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui. e February 4 Open Day runs from 10am-2pm. Gold coin entry.

February 5th Family Fun Day

2023 ENTRANCE FEE

Adults & Children over 12 years - $5 Children under 12 years - FREE

Georgia Minkhorst

Families and plane enthusiasts enjoying Classic Flyers NZ’s open day in 2019. Photo: supplied.

Local author Carol Garden.

Spin those wheels next month!

A jam-packed calendar full of free cycling activities across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty is on this February, which is Bike Month.

Travel Safe presents the Bike Month calendar, which features opportunities that cater for all, including non-riders wanting to learn, people looking to gain con dence on the road, and experienced cyclists of all ages.

Travel Safe team leader Sonia Lynds says riding a bike is fantastic for fun, tness, and friendship.

Explore new areas

“People ride bikes for a multitude of reasons and cycling has many bene ts.

“It’s healthy, environmentally friendly, and brings people a lot of happiness. It’s also an awesome way to get to work or school, and an ideal activity for the whole family to enjoy together.

“As well as having fun, Bike Month

is about supporting and upskilling our community to cycle safely through education, knowledge of safer routes and encouraging regular bike maintenance.”

Adult cycling educator Buddy Meyer, who will lead the urban rides again this year, says Bike Month presents a perfect opportunity to explore some new areas of Tauranga in a safe and supportive environment.

“Tauranga has a signi cant network of oroad and shared paths that connect suburbs, neighbourhoods, and key destinations.

“ ey are just perfect for cycling, and events like the guided urban rides and guided historic rides o er a chance for riders of all abilities to check out some new areas and meet some new people.”

Another popular series of events are the Historic Rides led by Reweti Te Mete, a compelling storyteller who paints a vivid picture of both the Māori and early European history of Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. Spaces will ll up

fast, so sign up now at: www.mytauranga.co.nz/bikemonth e calendar also includes a BMX have a go day, safety and skills focused activities, events for families and children, and even bike maintenance workshops. Most events are suitable for both traditional bikes as well as e-bikes.

Go By Bike Day

e annual Go By Bike Day is on Wednesday, February 15, and people are encouraged to leave the car at home, strap on a helmet, and ride to work or school; stopping by one of the pitstops across Tauranga for a free treat. Keen to go at your own pace and venture somewhere new? Further a eld in the Western BOP there are cycling options suitable for every age and ability. Check these out at: www.westernbay.govt.nz/cycle-trails. To check out all the events and register, visit www.mytauranga.co.nz/bikemonth

Tauranga set to celebrate reggae at One Love

A massive celebration of reggae music is happening in Tauranga this weekend as the One Love music festival returns to the city for 2023. e two-day R18 event is at Tauranga Domain tomorrow, January 28, and Sunday, January 29, bringing some big reggae stars to the Bay of Plenty. Gates open 11am both days.

e line-up for One Love 2023 includes UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell and L.A.B as the main headliners, along with Kolohe Kai; J Boog; Fij;

Sean Kingston; Rebel Souljahz; Maoli; Katcha re; Stan Walker; Sons of Zion; Steel Pulse; House of Shem; Ardijah; 1814; Tomorrow People; Coterie; ree Houses Down; General Fiyah; Victor J Sefo; Stndrd; Lion Rezz; Brotherhood; Krisy Erin; Mikey Mayz; NLC; Common Unity; TJ & Huri.

To purchase GA tickets, visit: www.onelovefestival.co.nz

Contact details for o cial ticket reps can be found on the One Love Facebook page.

Travel Safe adult cycling educator Buddy Meyer. Photo: supplied.

Re: F McNelly’s letter ‘ e price of progress?’ ( e Weekend Sun, January 20). Further to F McNelly’s letter questioning the cost of the Tauranga City Council’s so-called futureproo ng of Cameron Rd.

e infrastructure part of this project is to enable intensi cation of Te Papa and is necessary if there is an uptake of apartment buildings up to six stories high, and with no carparking requirements will be 100 per cent necessary.

Maybe there will be some bus passengers? My personal opinion is that you would be a very gutsy developer to build apartment buildings in Tauranga and have no on-site carparking. e walking, cycling, scootering, busing, light-controlled pedestrian crossing across Cameron Rd is not so necessary. In the meantime the smaller retailers are taking a hammering. In my case I would have a fair compensation claim against the project of $50,000 to date and there is more to come. We are known in the TCC o ces as e Eggs of Cameron Rd. “To make an Omelette (futureproo ng Cameron Road) you have to break a few eggs!”

In the meantime TCC’s director of transport Brendan Bisley keeps quoting that no compensation is due to the 1981 Public Works Act. is act is speci cally for the nancial compensation for the acquisition of land for public works.

It has nothing to do with business interruption. Finally, in the Auckland Queen Street compensation claim there has been a settlement –though small and too late for most. Most importantly, is that there is nothing being spent to improve the roading capacity for cars, vans, commercial vehicles that account for most probably 99 per cent of the people movements in Tauranga City.

B Sedcole, e Avenues.

Tauranga City Council responds: e Cameron Rd upgrades are designed to cater for future housing intensi cation along the Te Papa peninsula. It is expected that around 15,000 extra people will be living in the immediate area around Cameron Rd and the changes will make it easier for them to walk and cycle along the corridor to access businesses in their local area. e bus lanes are only part-time initially, so there will be on-street carparking available outside businesses when the bus lanes are not operating. e changes in Cameron Rd have not decreased the capacity for vehicles and the project maintains the two vehicle lanes in each direction along Cameron Rd. Council needs to maintain and upgrade roads. Signi cant upgrades such as the one underway are only done every 25-30 years. e Local Government Act allows for this activity to be undertaken and this is why compensation is not paid when these works need to be completed. Council is very aware that any construction roadworks impact on local businesses. Council and the Cameron Rd Joint Venture contractors work closely with business owners and residents along Cameron Rd to mitigate the impact of the works as much as possible. Planning of all tra c management for the Cameron Rd upgrades is done with this in mind, including, where possible, undertaking works at night so not to impact business access during the day and allocating resources to reduce the amount of time work is being done outside businesses. e Cameron Rd programme was a ected by the Covid-19 shutdowns, wet weather delays and material supply issues, but it is expected that progress will improve now these impacts are reduced.

Outgoing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s comment that she no longer has enough in the tank is very appropriate to the way she and her cohorts have handled New Zealand’s economy over the past ve years. Notwithstanding some good things which Jacinda has done, and we will all have varying opinions about that, the Labour Government has wasted megabucks on trying to control everything – health, ree Waters, manipulating the Reserve Bank, being soft on crime and

Re: Is there a snake in our grass?

( e Weekend Sun, January 20).

I R Goldsmith is correct. e roundabouts, verges and median strips are a disgrace. Some of the median strips and roundabouts on Beaumaris Boulevard are being mowed by the residents.

intersection of the Boulevard and Mo at Rd has had a bent and buckled road sign that was demolished in a road accident about the end of November, still lying in the long grass.

TCC responds: large amount of rainfall since

justice, and sidelining Tauranga with Commissioners. Yes we had Covid-19 and worldwide money printing, which was always going to end up with some in ation. So Jacinda sails o into the sunset and we taxpayers have to pick up the pieces. New Zealand would have been far better o today with proper economic management and less hidden agendas. at way the money tank would still be more than half full.

The Eggs of Cameron Rd..... ‘Empty tank’ spot on A growing disgrace!

Bill Capamagian, Avenues.

winter and warm weather conditions, grass growth has been higher than normal. Until recently, we have been getting signi cant periods of rainfall, which also limits our ability to mow. As a result of both factors, the grass is getting longer between the regular mowing rounds. Council is working with our contractors to try to improve the mowing frequency to reduce the grass length. In relation to the road sign, the signs are manufactured to order and can take four-six weeks to be

Given the recent Christmas holidays, this will increase

Churches Active In Our Community May peace prevail on Earth!

Many focus on what peace is not: the violence that can develop between family members, neighbours, groups in society and between nations – like the horrendous destruction occurring in the Middle East, Ukraine and other parts of the world.

What can we do in response to this violence? Some choose self-protection: isolating, arming (a guard dog, weapon, gated communities) or punishing those who use violence. Many countries seek security through militarisation.

Each of these behaviours can provide comfort. At the same time they seed resentment, alienation and even fear from those who feel excluded.

challenging at international level, where many people want protection by armed forces. Do our morals apply there as well? Instead of threatening others, should nations not be putting their e ort into getting along with each other, solving problems peacefully and celebrating the common good amongst us?

Let us use our principles wherever we can to secure peace. Put our e orts into relationships with those we don’t understand so we can engage constructively.

May peace prevail on Earth!

Gray Southon, for the Tauranga Quaker Worship Group.

Something for everyone. NZ Registered Natural Therapies & Natural Medicine Practitioners. Opposite BP Te Puke. Ph 573 5533 www. naturaltherapiesnz.com and www. naturalpetremediesstore.com

livestock

AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses. Ph 0800 369 6269

lost & found

FOUND KITTENS & PUPPIES various places, colours and sex. Ph SPCA 07 578 0245

Found Cat, Tabby, Female, Maungatapu. Ref 567584

Found Cat, Black & White, Female, Te Puke. Ref 567622

Found Cat, Ginger & White, Female, Gate Pa. Ref 567549

Found Cat, Black, Female, Maungatapu. 567097

trades & services

BRYCE DECORATING interior and exterior painting, wallpapering. Have your powdercoated windows faded? Can be cleaned and restored like new! Plastic car bumpers faded? Can be restored too! Quality work. Showroom nish. Ph Wayne 021 162 7052

ROOF REPAIRS Free quotes for all maintenance of leaking roofs, gutter cleaning & repairs. Chimney maintenance & repairs. Registered roofer, 30yrs exp. Ph Peter 542 4291 or 027 436 7740

TREE, SHRUB and hedges trimming, topping, rubbish, palm pruning or removal, satisfaction guaranteed free quote. Ph Steve Hockly 027 498 1857

travel & tours

NO 8 TOURS New Zealand’s Senior Travel Club- Join our club today to receive all our VIP Members

Bene ts exclusive to No 8 Tours & receive our complimentary beautiful 55 page colour catalogue. We specialise in unique itineraries, taking you to fabulous destinations meeting interesting people. These include Extended Tours, Day Trips and Shows with a FREE Door to Door Service.

24th Feb - 3rd March 2023 Bay of Islands, Paradise of Golden Beaches & Charming Townships. 13th - 17th March 2023 Kaipara Country Including Waiheke Island. 22nd - 27th March 2023 Kaikoura Exploration by Coastal Paci c Rail. We specialise in designing tours for groups & social clubs -please get in contact if you have an idea you’d like to discuss. BOOK NOW: Ph No8 Tours team on 579 3981 or email admin@no8tours.co.nz or visit www.no8tours.co.nz to view and book all our tours.

venues

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

Green Waste Only Green Waste Only

1 LARGE 600 LITRE BAG $27.00 per Monthly Collection

1 240 LITRE WHEELIE BIN $12.00 per Monthly Collection

Learn with purpose Semester 1 starts 20 February

Get the 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.

Our expert tutors are well connected with local employers and are here to empower your learning and guide you every step of the way. Now’s the time to enrol – apply now for courses starting in February.

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