The Weekend Sun - 31 March 2023

Just look at him. His name is Ludo. How can you resist? Well, the SPCA Tauranga Centre sta are hoping you can’t! Both the SPCA and Rescue Revive Rehome are hosting adoption open days this weekend to settle animals into new homes before winter begins to bite.

e Tauranga SPCA Centre’s Adoption Open Day is

tomorrow, April 1, with 75 per cent discount on adoption fees. RRR has a dog adoption day 10am-2pm Sunday, April 2, at Snap Fitness Papamoa.

You may have noticed Ludo’s mug in the paper before –the one-year-old male Sharpei-cross featured as ‘SPCA Pet of the Week’ back in e Weekend Sun’s November 18,

2022, edition. Apparently he wasn’t in great shape when he arrived at the SPCA – but after gaining weight, having spa treatments and hanging out with the SPCA team he’s grown into a happy, health big boy looking for his forever home.

Read more about the adoption events on page 27. Photo: John Borren.

The Weekend Sun is published every Friday and distributed throughout the Western Bay of Plenty from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke and available to collect at many stand locations throughout the area. For a full list of stand locations see https://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations.html

by Sun Media Ltd, an independent and locally owned company based at 1 The Strand, Tauranga.

“He’s totally chuckle, fall-about April Fools’ Day funny that guy,” said Mrs Jim Bunny, aka ‘the Doe’, over a carrot juice aperitif the other evening. “Who’s totally chuckle, fall-about April Fools’ Day funny?,” I asked.

“Chris.”

“Cabbage Patch Chris or Twerpy Chris?”

“Twerpy? Don’t you mean Chippy?”

“Okay – but he’s still twerpy, still annoying. What was so April Fools’ day funny?”

“Well, he’s given adult minimum wage earners a raise. But it’s just $1.50 extra an hour – from $21.20 to $22.70 an hour. Is it an April Fools’ Day joke?”

But let’s do some sums – by saving that extra $1.50 an hour for three hours, minimum wage earners could a ord a pie for lunch at Twerpy’s...I mean Chippy’s favourite, go-to Upper Hutt bakery. e one where Police Minister Ginny gets free pies. And she’s on top dollar.

“Top?”

“Well, as a Crown Minister she gets $288,900 a year, about $5555 a week, and about $139 an hour if she only did a 40-hour week. And a free pie.” But, in a magnanimous show of solidarity with the proletariat, she wouldn’t qualify for the extra $1.50 an hour.

If minimum wage earners save their $1.50 slice of Chippy’s new pay pie, it will only take about 9.5 hours’ work to a ord a $14 tub of Cabbage Patch Chris’ favourite ice cream – the high-end label one with chewy marshmallows and gooey caramel in chocolate ice cream. Cabbage Patch Chris doesn’t do minimum wage worker hokey pokey or vanilla.

But it gets funnier by the April Fools’ minute.

In France...

Because, if minimum wage earners continue to save their $1.50 an hour windfall, it would only take 658,591 hours work to accumulate the $987,887 – the median house price in New Zealand last year. at’s 316 working years,

three-and-a-half average lifespans. “Even minimum wage earners would have to see the uproariously funny April Fools side of that.” Seems $1.50 doesn’t go very far very fast.

Anyhow – I suspect history has played an April Fools’ joke on us all because it’s not exactly clear how all this nonsense came about. But it may have started in France.

“Mes chers petit lapins,” Pope Gregory X111 said to 16th Century France. “We are switching from the Julian calendar which begins March with the spring equinox to the internationally accepted civil Gregorian calendar.”

But at the time French devices were a bit ‘inutile’ – a bit dickey – and not everyone got the Vatican email. Some French continued celebrating New Year in March and were the butt of jokes. One prank involved paper sh being stuck on their back because they were called ‘poison d’avril’ or ‘April sh’. Hilarious. Other French were just as protective of their Julian calendar as some are today of their age 62 pension plans and refused to acknowledge the change. “Perhaps 16th Century French also set the streets alight in protest, perhaps they too let the rats and rubbish pile up,” says JB. His long ears alert and almost touching the roof of the warren.

Historically the French love a bit of a stink, a revolution. “ ey could all yell ‘qu’on leur coupe la tete’ – ‘o with their heads’ – instead of April fool! Messier but much, much funnier.”

e April Fool Day prank lingers today. “But not as much I sense,” said ‘the doe,’ twitching her cute, furry, bunny nose.

ere was the April Fools story about

the Northland farmer who spent decades getting rid of gorse. en one morning as he was quietly gorging himself on four rashers of good old fashioned hardwood smoked bacon and three eggs sunny side down as a protest at daylight saving, he sees something that makes his heart drop clean through his Red Bands. Overnight a mature gorse bush had grown right in the middle of the house paddock. He openly wept until his wife yelled: “April fool! April fool, April fool!” e gorse had been put there overnight by some sick family jokester.

Jim Bunny isn’t laughing. “I would have woken the ghosts of Samuel Marsden and told them to nd some 245-T to get rid of it. After all, it was the missionaries who committed a godless act by introducing gorse in the rst place.”

Introduced species

“Tsk tsk,” said ‘the doe’. “Be careful what you wish for dear. We bunnies are an introduced species too, and a pest. Like gorse, we are not loved.”

is bunny even thought of oating an April Fools’ day story which might trigger discussion, alarm, or outrage, or all three. It’s the April Fools’ devil in us all. How about a plan to build a gondola to the summit of Mauao? And a skyline wine bar where we could soak up the sav blanc as well as the vistas? But trickery doesn’t serve our readership. You could rightfully wonder what other half-truths and nonsense are being passed o as legitimate news.

Email: hunter@thesun.co.nz with your thoughts on April foolery, minimum wage, gondolas etc!

Rising wages and falling sales

Customers absorbing costs is what some Bay of Plenty small business owners will be relying on to combat the minimum wage increase on April 1.

Early-February Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the minimum wage will increase from $21.20 per hour to $22.70 per hour this Saturday, April 1.

Tauranga Business Chamber chief executive Matt Cowley says the increase will e ect “di erent businesses in di erent ways”.

“For a lot of businesses a lot of their supplier’s costs will be going up by another seven per cent or so just to pay for delivery drivers, food costs, maintenance people etc. So it will have direct impacts on some businesses but it will have direct impacts for everyone through the economy.”

A big deal

Mount Maunganui business owner Bun Keo is predicting a 20 per cent drop in sales for his bakery as a result of the minimum wage increase. “$1.50 up per hour – that is a big deal.” In turn, he says he will be raising the price of bakery goods 10-20 cents per item. “We have to do what we have to do…otherwise we can’t a ord the sta .”

Donna Atchison’s cleaning business has been serving the Bay of Plenty region for nearly 19 years and employs ve sta . “ e cost of living is particularly hard at present compared to previous years. However

with the large increase in wages over the last three years, we cannot absorb this and the clients will be charged extra to cover [this]. Materials and fuel have also increased dramatically.”

Donna thinks we are in for tougher times but have been prepared for this by earlier nancial hard times.

“Hopefully it will not be as tough as previous 2008 crash, 1990’s crash and 1980’s crash. We have come through this era in business with skyrocketing 21 per cent mortgage interest rates and high cost of living and have learned to be more prepared.”

For now, business remains “static” for Donna while trade has been going particularly well for Bun with the welcome return of cruise ships back at Mount Manganui. Yet this respite will set sail soon. “Next month is the o season [for cruise ships] and we’ll just do what we can do for the sta . If we cannot sell the stu , then there might not be enough hours to work either.”

Opportunity to refocus

Matt says it’s not all “doom and gloom” for small businesses. “ ere are opportunities to have very targeted marketing to get the right types of customers in – and I’d say for many businesses who’ve been around before – these economic cycles come and go.

“It’s around using it as an opportunity to refocus and really focus on what brings you value, and weathering the storm – because I’d say in the next few years we’re going to go through another demand peak because our population growth hasn’t stopped.”

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Cosmetic Medicine

Bun Keo has owned One Tree Bakery since 2011 and is expecting a 20 per cent drop in sales with minimum wage increasing on April 1. Photo: John Borren.

Georgia Minkhorst

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

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Council to lease Mount premise

A new community collaboration space will make it easier for Mount locals and visitors to connect with Tauranga City Council, to learn more about what’s happening in the area, and provide input on projects and initiatives, says a council spokesperson.

Fit-out on the leased premises at 9 Prince Ave will commence shortly and council has worked closely with local architects to develop a cost-e ective and user-friendly space that can be recon gured for multiple uses.

Fit-out is expected to be complete early-May, with a view to opening soon after.

For more on projects in the Mount area, visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/mountprojects.

Papamoa’s national champion

ere was simply no stopping Kawasaki ace Cody Cooper as he produced another startling performance in this year’s senior NZ Motocross Championships, which wrapped up at Taupo last weekend. ey say age is just a number and that may be true, but this is traditionally a young person’s game and a 39-year-old winning titles at the pinnacle of the sport is truly outstanding.

e multi-time former national champion from Papamoa reckons he’s loving the sport more and more with each passing year and, since his transition to the high-pro le Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team, he believes he’s going even faster than before.

Feijoas on the way

Just in time for cooler temperatures across New Zealand, the annual feijoa crop is now in good supply. NZ Feijoa Growers Association manager Ian Turk says much of the 2023 crop has escaped signi cant damage from ooding in January and Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Feijoas are grown commercially from Northland through to the top of the South Island. is geographical spread has helped maintain crop volumes despite a challenging season. While the weather has disrupted the usual timing of the season, and fruit is a little later this year than normal, we’re expecting a good supply of fruit this season.”

SH25A roading damage

e Coromandel’s east coast remains largely cut o from the rest of the country, with access in and out severely impacted by landslides. A x for SH25A will not be in place before Christmas, but engineers are drawing closer to a decision on the best path forward. On Monday, media were allowed a rare glimpse into the cavernous divide that e ectively splits the peninsula in two.

A 140m stretch of road is missing from SH25A, which has been closed since cracks appeared on January 27 in the wake of ex-Cyclone Hale.

A decision on what would become of this route may yet take another two months.

Co ee with a friend, gift shopping, a snip at the hairdresser, a stop at the travel agent, a grocery run...all topped o with a $65 parking ne slapped to your car.

is was the experience for one Tauranga resident while spending the day at the Bethlehem Town Centre – caught unaware by the centre’s three-hour limited parking.

Posting on social media last week, the shopper detailed their outrage and disappointment after receiving the parking ne from the town centre’s parking service –Wilson Parking. e resident warned other shoppers, after their shopping trip had ended bitterly.

So e Weekend Sun put the questions to the town centre to nd out what exactly their parking policy is. “We use the same service [Parking Enforcement Services] as Tauranga Crossing, Papamoa Plaza, and Bay Central plus other minor retail sites across Tauranga,” says Bethlehem Town Centre manager

Lauren Todd. Looking on the town centre’s website it advises there are “over 1000 free carparks onsite”.

However, under the website’s ‘Parking Enforcement Services’ section it states: “Whilst parking at Bethlehem is free of charges, to help ensure that carparks are free for customers to use, we are now monitoring carpark use”.

Lauren says the centre’s parking enforcements began early-February. “We noticed an increased number of vehicles that were parking on-site all day, taking valuable car bays in close proximity to store fronts.

“We recognised the vehicle owners were not visiting the town centre, but parking and riding buses, or being picked up by others and leaving the centre.”

Time checks

e shopper stated in their post that the parking ticket received did not indicate the time they parked their car, only the time of the ticket issue. “We have made some slight adjustments to how those time checks are

Shoppers looking to shop at Bethlehem Town Centre longer than three hours may be hit with a $65 parking ne.

completed as it is certainly not our intention to penalise our genuine loyal customers,” says Lauren.

Make improvements

She says the Bethlehem Town Centre is sorry to hear they have “soured” the experience for this customer and have reached out to them. “We will work with enforcement services on her behalf to get this charge cancelled.”

Lauren adds: “We of course want customers to feel relaxed and enjoy their time visiting Bethlehem Town Centre and will take this as an opportunity to make improvements in this regard”.

“ is will include looking at what we might do to make the time limits more visible and also cater for those who may be looking to spend more than three hours with us at any one time.”

If you’ve been unfairly ticketed, Bethlehem Town Centre asks customers to email: info@bethlehem.co.nz so they can assist in cancelling the ticket.

Georgia Minkhorst

Photo: John Borren.

A crisp and cool weekend

bit of e ervescence, that little sparkle that just lifts it o the palate just that bit more and you still get all those rich honey, ripe apple avours.”

ree of their other awardwinning ciders will be paired with scrumptious bites, served fresh from the cidery kitchen. e Weekend Sun’s photographer John Borren and I were lucky enough to try some of these delicious avour combinations, and can con rm a solid 11/10!

Idyllic spot

Have you been a hospital patient in the past two years?

We may be emailing you soon to verify your email address.

Sparkling, e ervescent, glowing gold in the sunlight – it’s e Cider Factorie’s soon-to-be-released cider and you could be one of the rst to indulge in this delectable drink this weekend!

For the rst time ever, e Cider Factorie has jumped on board the Flavours of Plenty Festival – featuring 35 events from dinners, chocolate factory tours, cooking classes and more.

e Cider Factorie’s husbandand-wife duo Rowena and Simon Pearce say they’re all about keeping things low-key at their restaurant and cidery. “We’re not fancy here,”

says Rowena. “What we do is we make really great ciders and we make really nice hearty food where you kind of want to just sit and be. We don’t have all the frills and things, but it’s a place where you come and congregate.”

Last two days is weekend Saturday, April 1-2, is their last two days as part of the festival and the last chance to tantalise your taste buds with their sparkling ice cider.

Yet to be released in another month, Rowena says this awarding-winning cider is special to the festival experience and “needs to be tried”. “ is is a little di erent with that

“We’ve paired the Resident Hawk cider with our pan-fried prawns so nice, buttery with shallots and garlic – it’s light but pairs really well with that bubbly apple cider,” says Rowena. With Resident Hawk as their ‘ agship cider’ – cider maker Simon says: “I make it from some Kingston Black cider apples and just by themselves their really full bodied and intense with lots of avour”.

Nestled in Te Puna’s countryside, the spot is more than idyllic with sensational views of the Kaimai Range and Tauranga Moana. e Cider Factorie’s ‘Flights and Bites’ experience is 11am-5pm tis weekend at 50 Oikimoke Rd. For tickets, visit: https://www. avoursofplentyfestival.com/ events/ ights-and-bites/ Georgia Minkhorst

Adopt a street to help keep Katikati clean

Katch Katikati is launching an Adopt a Street programme, to bring the community together to keep streets clean of litter.

e programme, supported by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, invites individuals, families, businesses, organisations and community groups to adopt a street or area in Katikati and take responsibility for keeping it free of litter.

“ is is a fantastic opportunity for community members to get involved and take ownership of their streets and make a positive di erence in their own neighbourhoods. By working together, we can keep our streets clean for everyone to enjoy,” says Katch Katikati manager Jacqui Knight. “We encourage everyone to get involved.”

Volunteers who adopt a street commit to regularly cleaning up litter on a voluntary basis. Volunteers

can choose an area and decide when and how often they’ll pick up litter to t their lifestyle.

Volunteers receive a pack with gloves and rubbish bags and each team or individual that nominates a street or place is recorded on a map on the Adopt a Street webpage so all can see which streets have been ‘adopted’. Volunteers are encouraged to complete a Clean Up Report, to help council understand where litter is coming from. To nominate a street or place you want to keep clean of litter, see: https://www.katikati.org.nz/ adopt-a-street

Forms are also at e Arts Junction, 36 Main Rd. e programme begins this Sunday, April 2. Visit e Arts Junction from 10am-1pm to register and receive your ‘Adopt a Street Pack’. e rst 30 registered receive a free plant courtesy of Project Parore.

We’re making it easier to keep in touch

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, Hauora a Toi, Bay of Plenty will soon start to use safe and secure email to communicate some appointment dates or health information with our patients. This is an optional service designed to make life easier for patients who wish to use it.

We are in the process of sending a verification email, which is safe and secure, to all patients who have been in contact with Tauranga and/or Whakatāne Hospitals within the past two years who have an email address in our patient management system. You will be asked to confirm that the email address we have on file is correct, and that you are happy for us to communicate health information with you in this way.

The safe and secure verification email will come from the following email address: Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty – Patient Verification (donotreply@ emailverification.bopdhb.govt.nz)

This email is genuine and we ask you to please respond. Thanks for your help!

For more info, visit our website: https://www.bopdhb.health.nz/patientsand-visitors/for-our-patients/patientemail-verification/

e Cider Factorie’s Rowena and Simon Pearce enjoying a ight of their award-winning cider, and their tasty bites platter. Photo: John Borren.

Donate before it’s too late!

high school pals attend the ball – but what on earth will they wear?

With a Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo – we need you, dear reader! Get that dress or suit you never wear out onto the dance oor and make a young student’s happily ever after come true for the night. “What we’re aiming to do is gather dresses and suits from the community for less fortunate students who can’t a ord to buy their own dresses or even hire them,” says Mia, a dedicated senior member of Ōtūmoetai College’s special events committee.

“Our school puts on the cheapest ball, and the cheapest we can get the tickets to is $80 and if you think of trying to get a dress or suit on top of that, it can turn out to be extremely expensive.”

For some Year 12-13 students, Mia says: “ ey just can’t lean on their parents or they just don’t have enough time to work for something like that”.

e Year 13 student attended her school ball last

year wearing one of her mum’s dresses. “It was quite special for me to wear it. It was also nice to not give in to the hugely-priced dresses that always jump out at you online.

“When I saw myself all done up for the ball I felt really beautiful – something that I don’t feel day-to-day. I felt really nice in pictures, and felt especially proud when I was with my boyfriend, as it’s always nice to get dressed up.”

She wants her classmates to have that same magical moment too. “Universities don’t always put on big ball events and that’s the only time these students can have that experience of dressing up formally and have a formal event.

“It’s also just a nice time to grow as a group as well, you know we’re in our last two years of high school and for some of us this is our last year – so it’s sort of the rst taste of adulthood.”

If you have a formal dress hanging in your wardrobe or a suit that’s never worn, donate it ahead of the Ōtūmoetai College Ball on June 24!

Donation collections are running Monday-Friday 8.45am-3.20pm at the school’s main o ce.

Georgia Minkhorst

Just like Cinderella’s fantastical fairy godmother, Mia McKenzie wishes to see her

Mia says they are in particular need of more suits for students wanting to attend the ball.

Photo: John Borren.

Marathon returns after three-year break Daylight saving ends this weekend

e light- lled nights fade this weekend when daylight saving nishes Saturday, April 2. At 3am Sunday April 3 the clocks wind back one hour – this means you need to adjust battery-operated wall clocks back one hour. However most phones and digital appliances complete the task themselves automatically these days.

While checking your timepieces, Fire & Emergency NZ asks Kiwis to check all smoke alarms in the house. “ is is also the weekend to check your smoke alarms are working, no matter how new they are or how recently you changed the battery,” says FENZ national advisor re risk management Pete Gallagher.

A participant makes their way to the nishline with arms of encouragement, in a past Tauranga Half Marathon.

After a three-year hiatus, New Zealand’s only Pay What You Want running event is back in town this Sunday, April 2 – and the organiser says it couldn’t have come at a better time!

“Our number one goal is to remove cost as a barrier to entry; and with recent cost of living increases, entry fees to events like this may be more of a challenge for even more people,” says Luke Garea of the PWYW Tauranga Half Marathon.

Established in 2005, the Tauranga Half Marathon relaunched in 2018 as New Zealand’s rst Pay What You Want running event.

e PWYW Tauranga Half Marathon is on this Sunday 2 April with 15km, 10km, 5km and the Matua Mile events. Registrations for the event are at Fergusson Park clubrooms from midday-4pm Saturday, April

1 and from 6.30am race day, Sunday, April 2. Events begin with Half Marathon starting 8am, the 15km at 9am, the 10km at 10am, the 5km at 11am and the Matua Mile at 12 noon.

Luke says returning from a three-year hiatus is a challenge for the event. “We’re thrilled to have support from Tauranga City Council as we re-emerge in a very changed event landscape.

“Entry reluctance is a very real thing. First there were Covid19 cancellations and more recently, the extreme weather events caused multiple events to cancel,” says Luke.

“People are rightfully cautious and slow to enter now – and this changed entry behaviour puts new stress on events.”

Luke says PWYW continues to be a popular option for entrants, with a surge in groups attending from all over the Bay of Plenty.

Josh Te Kowhai and Tairi Ford from Waikite Gym have

organised a large group to come through from Rotorua. ey say with events slowly starting to trickle back into our lives “it’s great we have the Pay What You Want Tauranga Half Marathon back as it gives a lot of our newer (and old) members an a ordable-yetrst-class event to participate in and o ers so many distance options”.

Of the expected 1400 entrants, more than 200 will be part of the Workplace Shout – another wellness initiative to engage employers to ‘shout’ entry to their sta .

e event also o ers a nishline song request, with an unprecedented 856 requests received to date.

ere’s still time to request your nish line song when you enter the PWYW Tauranga Half Marathon, 15km, 10km, 5km or Matua Mile. Enter online at: www. taurangahalfmarathon.co.nz

Bikers hit the road for greater good!

Rev your engines and get on your bikes for the 2023 Ulysses Easter Toy Run this Sunday!

For more than 20 years the Tauranga Ulysses Motorcycle Club has got their wheels behind the community – this year they’re fundraising for the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter and gathering toys for Tauranga Hospital’s children’s ward.

Club secretary Lee White hopes to see motorbikes in their hundreds hit the road

on April 2. “We’ve got bikes coming from Auckland, Hamilton Taupo, Rotorua and Whakatane. I’m looking forward to seeing all the bikes and some of the people you only see a couple of times a year.”

Bikers will ride from Bethlehem Town Centre to Te Puna and back. Be sure to keep an eye for their iconic Easter bunny amongst the eet!

Held on Sunday, April 2 – the ride entry ticket price is $15. Bring a toy or Easter egg too, for the children’s ward. Registrations open 8.30am, with bikes setting o 11am.

Tauranga teenagers are punching above their weight in the world of robotics. Of 17 teams from around Aotearoa that have quali ed for the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas, USA, next month – four are from Bay of Plenty.

“You should be very proud of the local teams that compete,” says Michelle Hazeleger-Mollard.

As national operations manager of robotics education company, KiwiBots, she’s impressed by the teens’ innovation and dedication of their support teams.

“Its credit to the teachers and sta at Otūmoetai College and STEAM-Ed Charitable Trust that their students are achieving such high results,” says Michelle. “ ey give up their time for the kids.”

Kiwibots distribute VEX Robotics across NZ, enabling students to learn software coding, mechanical design and complex problem solving to build a robot that completes a series of tasks. “ e gami cation of learning creates a more engaging experience while also encouraging teamwork, collaboration and out-of-the box thinking,” says Michelle. “We’re inspiring the next

generation of engineers. ese kids get snapped up by companies that love that they’re already pro cient in soft and hard IT skills.”

Otūmoetai College Robotics has a Givealittle page to raise the $70,000 needed to get eight students and two adults to the US to compete from April 25-May 4 at the VEX Robotics World Championship. ey’ll be among 25,000 kids from 65 countries.

Fourteen-year-old Corbyn Patterson loves the challenge of taking the design from paper to reality and the last-minute scrambling to nd solutions.

“We had to pull apart our original robot and start from scratch due to team changes. We actually built a chassis in six hours to compete at a scrimmage.”

Emily Aldridge, aged 16, is excited by the chance to represent NZ. “I’ve been doing robotics for about four years and I’ve competed at nationals twice, so getting through to Dallas is amazing. e competition is huge and will be a great learning experience seeing what teams around the world have come up with.”

Michelle says the BOP’s four teams will be erce competitors. Donate at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ otumoetai-college-to-world-robotics-championships

Debbie Griffiths

Students at Otūmoetai College with some of their self-created robots. Photo: John Borren.

e Tākitimu waka has been brought back to life on Tauranga Moana this month, after being refurbished and lled with newfound glory thanks to its new guardian.

Launching from Te Puna Beach at 6am on March 17, 44 mighty kaihoe paddled the Tākitimu waka to Sulphur Point, with the wind and tide on their side.

“My main objective was to bless the canoe and just get it back out on the water and into the eye of the people – so everybody can see the waka in its beauty, which is when he’s on the water doing his thing,” says Tamahau Tangitu.

Guardianship

e guardianship of the Tākitimu waka passed to

Tamahau in 2019, after former guardian Chris Tangitu –Tamahau’s uncle – passed away. “I remember spending a lot of time with him [my uncle] and I asked him: ‘If you die, would you like to go in the waka?’ and he said: ‘ at would be an honour to go for one last ride’. at was one of his dreams so when he passed away I made that happen, and from there I took over the mantle of the guardianship of Tākitimu.”

As new guardian of Tākitimu, Tamahau wanted to see him return to a more traditional state. “When they rst built the canoe back in 1990 they actually screwed all the carvings to the side of the canoe with nails and screws.”

While traditional voyaging in 2011, Tamahau says: “I learnt the art-form of lashing canoes together and binding together with rope”. Tamahau began

refurbishing the waka with these traditional techniques last April. “We had a blessing to purify the waka for this purpose of being able to work on it because it had been to so many occasions and collected so much mana, so much prestige over its time.”

Special feeling

With refurbishments complete and support from Ngāti Ranginui iwi, Tākitimu took to the water once again this month. Schools including Greenpark gathered at Sulphur Point to welcome the waka, performing haka and waiata. From Sulphur Point, the kaihoe returned the two tonne 26m long waka back to his shelter in Te Puna. Tamahau says the day was amazing, with a special feeling being out on the water. “ at’s when he’s magical to us...when he’s most alive.”

MAKE IT

As the Mount to Arataki area grows, we want to make sure that everyone can experience the outdoors, have fun, and connect with their community.

To help us plan for the future we are asking you to share what you love about the area, what needs to change, and what matters most to you and your whānau, by taking an online survey or coming to chat to the team at one of our community events.

As well as questions about improving parks and public spaces we want to hear your ideas for celebrating our history, enhancing the natural environment, making it easier to get around, and keeping our community healthy, active, and safe.

www.tauranga.govt.nz/mounttoarataki

Planning the future of Mount to Arataki

Georgia Minkhorst

A 44 mighty kaihoe paddled the Tākitimu waka to Sulphur Point. Photo: Te Tuinga/Atara Film.

Pick Princess Patsy!

Patsy is a sweet lady, who can be a little shy at rst – but once she gets to know you, her smoochy side starts to show. Patsy is looking for a quiet, mature home where she can be treated like the princess she wholeheartedly believes she is! Given time to settle, Patsy has unleashed a playful goofy side and loves to chase around ping-pong balls and make high-fashion fabulous newspaper hats.

Patsy can nd fast movements and other animals distressing so will need to be an only pet in a quiet home. Ask to meet Princess Patsy today! Call the Tauranga centre on: 07 578 0245. Ref: 562338.

What’s Your Property Worth? Rachel Cole

Jazz, ballads and race barriers

“It’s coming back to me – gosh, yes, I do recall.”

Why do people scratch their heads when trying to remember? Even if it was nearly 70 years ago?

But the point is Niel Randrup did play FOR, and did play WITH, the legendary Nat King Cole. “I played saxophone in the backing band for his Auckland concert. And I recall playing golf with the man at Akarana in Auckland.” In doing so, they made sweet music and broke through a racial barrier. And “the voice” was just so happy.

Now that’s a story worth hearing...

Cole was a superstar decades before the word was even invented. And there was our Niel, Tauranga saxophonist and golfer, jamming and driving with Cole one January day back in 1955.

But rst, fast-forward to last week, and Niel Randrup was shu ing down his hallway, and itting up a scale on his old ute as he goes.

High C

“Dear oh dear, I can’t get high C.” High C is deemed a true test of a singer’s ability. Today it’s testing Niel Randrup. But we’ll cut him some slack because he is 102 years old.

“It doesn’t work. My wife will be horri ed,” says Niel. His wife, the late Pat McMinn – singer and dancer of renown. She is gone but still watches over.

Niel has enjoyed his own renown, his own moment in the sun, or spotlight, especially one moment before a packed-to-the-gunnels 1529-seat Great Hall at the Auckland’s Town Hall in January 1955.

“I just recall the stage door opening and Nat King Cole marching through.” Niel throws his head back and laughs at the memory. “ ere he was.” What a moment. What a glorious moment.

Nat King Cole, the man with the honey-voice, who recorded more than 100 songs that became worldwide hits and dominated American popular music for three decades. Niel’s reminiscing because he’s Tauranga’s real

What do you think of our proposed Annual Plan 2023/24?

We know things are tough for everyone right now – inflation, cost of living, recent severe weather events.

We’re facing the same tough economic times. But we’re working hard to support our District, while ensuring we can continue to do the mahi that matters to you.

Our proposed Annual Plan 2023/24 sets out how we plan to achieve this.

Online (wānanga ipurangi)

For more information on the Annual Plan or to share your thoughts, visit: haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz/annualplan

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Feedback forms are available at all our library and service centres.

Email (īmēra) Send feedback to: haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz

life connection to Nat King Cole – the man whose music features in the stage production ‘Unforgettable’ at the 16th Avenue theatre from April 1 – part of the 60th Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival. See the festival liftout on pages 15-19.

Close connection

Pianist and leader Crombie Murdoch was taking his big band, including Niel on sax, through the charts, the arrangements, rehearsing for Nat King Cole’s show that night. “He walked onto the Town Hall stage, cocked an approving ear – well I presume it was an approving ear.”

He made no comment, didn’t say do this or that. “Nat just left it to us and we were su ciently professional to have been there before. He stayed at the rehearsal just long enough to be reassured with what he was hearing.” Regardless, the entire band –ve saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones and rhythm section of piano, bass, guitar and drums – was “mightily impressed with the man and the moment”. And the concert, well everyone loved it. “I was just so overwhelmed by the music and the fact I was playing with him. It was a joy, a huge night.”

Of course it was. Because earlier that day 5000 people turned out at Whenuapai aerodrome to see him arrive. ey could have lled the great hall three times over. It was up there with e Beatles.

Golf

Next day Niel played golf with Cole. “Good Lord,” says Randrup, himself a single gure handicapper at the time. “He was just so happy...He was a bit overwhelmed because he was a black man playing golf with Pakeha guys at a club where the colour of a man’s skin was irrelevant, it didn’t matter.”

He wouldn’t have been allowed to play on a white course back home in a racially-charged USA. “He was quite moved by that. And the Akarana club made it such a special occasion – made him so welcome.”

In person (ā kanohi)

Or come kōrero in person at one of our community information drop-in sessions:

•The Daily Café - 3 Commerce Lane, Te Puke

Monday 17 April, 9am-11am

•Clarke Road Kitchen - 7 Clarke Road, Te Puna

Wednesday 19 April, 9am-11am

Flatwhite Café - 21 Shaw Road, Waihī Beach

Friday 21 April, 9am-11am

Feedback closes 5pm, Sunday 30 April.

Niel Randrup coaxing a tune from a rusty ute.

Hunter Wells

The wonderful world of

Baycourt 40th Anniversary 21–29

ere was the time a priest was called to deliver the “good catholic teenager” his last rites. He was on the brink. “ ey said if I survived, I’d be a raving lunatic. at’s still a debatable point.”

ere was another time a tormented love interest dumped all his cricket memorabilia – bats, pads, scorebooks, the works – on the front lawn and set re to it.“She was trying to tell me something.” She went the same way as his three previous ‘cricket widows’.

“I’d like to blame cricket but I can’t.”

For cricket a cionados, there was a ‘famous’ Domain moment when our umpire no-balled Trent Boult after the quick cleaned out a batsman with a hat trick ball. “I had to call it – he was six inches over.” Rules are rules.

ere’s a whole lot of ‘bloke-ishness’ about one Rodney ‘Rod’ Newton – an umpiring supremo, a man revered and respected for his love and enduring commitment to cricket in this city, and perhaps even beyond the four boundary on the domain.

Bloke-ish but politically sensitive. While chatting about wildlife and times he taps into Cricinfo, the global cricket score app, to see how the “girls are

going” – the White Ferns playing Sri Lanka. “Promote Suzie Bates up the order and she gets 56.” Yup, he enjoys that. “And the White Fern’s 162 is a good total.” His love of the game transcends genders. And he was umpiring a BOP woman’s game recently. “Some great young players, some great cricket.”

Cricket comes rst

But back to the bloke. “Always said cricket comes rst, the kids second, then everyone and everything else.” Talking of kids, he could muster a family cricket team. “Five kids of my own and ve adopted.” And Rod, opening the batting and bowling, makes 11. Cricket is perhaps more a calling, a faith, than a game for umpire Rod – and the holy orders have been conferred by his peers, he is a high priest in this cricketing parish. And his standing is exceeded only by his longevity. “Pretty much umpiring and playing from 1983 – I loved it, it was my whole life.” en in 1993 he became a full-time umpire.

Now 72, he’s one of the more seasoned adjudicators around and still standing in games four or ve long days a week. “A guy came up to me the other day and said: ‘You umpired my grandfather’. I told him to consider himself lucky I was still here.” We’re all lucky he’s still here because he has some scrapes.

cricket’s Mr Nice Guy

When the priest was summoned to Rod’s hospital bed on May 9, 1965 – he’d been “properly munted” by a car near Te Rapa Air Force Base at age 14. “Right leg broken in six places, right hand smashed, left cheek ripped o – 32 operations to get me looking pretty again.” ere was more. “Head smashed in and brain bruised.” e car was written o and they thought Rod might have to be written o too, but he was back playing rugby within a year. en there was the stroke. e rst stroke was in 2006. “Lost my right-hand side, but it xed itself.” en he tangled with a pork chop, a bit of indigestion he thought, but it was a serious heart attack. “ ere are 147 decent bumps between Tauranga Hospital and Te Poi.” He felt and counted each one in the back of an ambulance on his way to Waikato Hospital for a stent.

“A decent sized 40mm bore. e biggest. But I haven’t felt younger or better.”

When he had a whole series of mini strokes in

2019, he told the nurse it was probably why he didn’t feel good. “She accused me of not taking things seriously. And I don’t really.”

like his epiphany. “As a young man I played both rugby and cricket.” en there was a realisation he loved cricket more. “I love test matches, a ve-day battle of wills, and just one thing, a dropped catch or a bad

e Bay of Plenty Cricket Association honoured Rod Newton at its awards evening Wednesday night. He was bestowed the Peter Wright Cup for services to umpiring. But Rod wasn’t at Bay Oval to hear tributes and receive the award. He was in Hamilton –umpiring his 80th game of the season.

decision, can swing a game. It’s like chapters of a good book – all the twists and turns.”

And he’s thumbing through each book from the best vantage point. “I’m standing out there amongst it as the story unfolds. I’m watching close-up and I get to make the decisions. Brilliant. Can you have better fun?”

Maybe. But he’s like a religious convertee; he won’t be dissuaded. So we won’t argue. “I am mad, and to be a good cricket umpire it helps to be mad,” according to the umpire. “Well, he’s not mad – mischievous, maverick, delightfully eccentric and, perhaps, even obsessive. But not mad. “No, de nitely not mad,” says fellow umpire Phil Reed. “Rod Newton – a highly respected and a wonderful advocate for the game. Everyone loves him.”

Love the game

During his playing days when batting, Rod refused to talk cricket with his batting partner in the few precious moments between overs. “I was happy to talk about women, the weather, whatever. But not the eld, thankless and unappreciated

the pitch or the bowling because it’s time to reset your mind.” Now that’s an insight. Perhaps he is just a teeny weeny bit mad. “Umpires feel a bit sometimes.” So why step out every weekend, in your own time, to be tested, vili ed, berated and unappreciated? “You do it because you love the game...”

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

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

There’s cool school holiday fun, a divine new cocktail trail, new menus from vegan to vietnamese, and some new fashion and homewares all waiting for you right now in your city centre.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

From Wacky Waffles to Escape Rooms to Waterworld Wipeout and everything in between, there’s a whole lot of fun in store for you in the city centre. Great kids meal deals and kids eat free offers too.

KIDS IN THE CITY

Looking for fun for the kids, free stuff to do, restaurants and cafés with special kids’ menus and discounts and cool things that you just can’t do anywhere else? Check out some great ideas and offers on our website.

COCKTAILS IN THE CITY

Our bars and eateries are ready to mix together a sweet surprise! Discover 18 beautifully curated cocktails to try across our city centre. Check out the cocktail trail on our website.

JAZZ FESTIVAL

You do not want to book anything but the Jazz Festival this April! They have more events than ever, showcasing performances from some of the best jazz musicians in Australasia.

downtowntauranga.co.nz

Discover what’s new and waiting for you.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Draft User Fees and Charges 2023/24

User fees and charges are the fixed prices that we charge for using Tauranga City Council services and are set each year.

We are proposing to change our user fees and charges to keep in line with current inflation and help cover the costs of providing services.

Consultation is open until 5pm, 24 April 2023 and we would like to know what you think.

To view the proposed changes and make a submission visit: tauranga.govt.nz/feesandcharges

A day o umpiring and Rod Newton’s having a roll-up.

Photo: John Borren.

Hunter Wells

Rogue rooster finds love and happiness

What a di erence a few days can make. One minute Ronaldo is lovelorn and loathed down the Avenues. ere was also a brush with a dog where he was nearly toast.

Next minute Ronaldo’s top rooster, well only rooster, with a harem of six lovely hens in a little farming community called Horohoro, 80km away …as the chook ies. He has literally landed on his rooster feet and scratchers.

“ e rooster is good,” says vet

tech Karen Hunt, who is Ronaldo’s adoptive Mum. “He has his own hen house and six girlfriends. So endless opportunities.” For love, she means.

“He’s in a good space, very happy.”

A month or so ago, Ronaldo went from being just another chook to minor celeb or villain of the peace, around 14th Ave and Grace Rd in Tauranga City.

e Avenues

It was his crowing as early as 4.42am that rankled neighbours. Unre ned farmyard behaviour down the digni ed Avenues got people tired

and grumpy. ey wanted Ronaldo caught and relocated, or worse. ey wanted to reclaim their night-time. But Ronaldo was a free agent. He didn’t belong to anyone so the noise nuisance bylaws didn’t apply. He could crow his coxcomb o , annoy as he pleased.

e mongrel cockerel did get some love...well, more begrudging respect.

Dog attack

“He is a beautiful boy,” said a neighbour called Helen. Ronaldo inveigled his way into her feelings. “Ronaldo would sit on my wall and give me an evil eye.” She admired him for his

sass and attitude – qualities that endeared the rogue rooster to some people.

Like eight-year-old Harper. She was “sideeyed” by the arrogant chook on occasions and woken every day at 5am by his crowing. “Super annoying,” she said. But at the same time, she wished him well. “I just hope he nds a nice farm to live on.”

And he did, but only after he had his butt feathers chewed by a dog. He was rescued by caring neighbours and taken to the Free as a Bird Rescue Centre at Mamaku. at’s when Karen Hunt saw Ronaldo up on Facebook and she thought: ‘Why not?’.

New home, girlfriends

“ ere’s a shortage of pullet chickens so why not make our own.” From death’s door Ronaldo has been re-homed and charged with growing the brood. An enviable rooster responsibility.

Ronaldo hasn’t lost his attitude. “Probably wouldn’t be able to catch him now,” says Karen. “All those girlfriends would probably attack me.”

is morning at 6.30am Ronaldo launched his song. And no-one minded one iota. “Everyone happy,” says Karen.

Ronaldo, still growing his tail feathers, at his new home at Horohoro.

Ronaldo’s adoptive mum, Karen Hunt.

Hunter Wells

listened and you told us it’s time for change - so we’re delighted to bring you hearing health care that’s more accessible, more transparent and more affordable.

Welcome to the 60th jazz festival – and thank you!

Crowds always enjoy the fun the national jazz festival has to o er.

Tauranga is set to celebrate New Zealand’s top jazz talent with concerts for every taste from April 1 through to April 10.

More than 200 artists from around Aotearoa and abroad will perform in the 60th Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival – and yes, it’s a special one!

e event celebrates 60 years since a few intrepid local musicians pooled their

money, hired a hall and held the rst festival here in 1963!

Since then the festival has grown and incorporated the National Youth Jazz Competition, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year. And 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the Rodger Fox Big Band too.

Tauranga Jazz Society president Je Baker says this iconic national festival based in Tauranga has a raft of sponsors, funders, supporters, volunteers, musicians, schools,

teachers and band leaders behind it.

“Many thanks to our principal funders, the Port of Tauranga, TECT and the Tauranga City Council and all of our other sponsors. Without their assistance this event would not be possible.

“And most importantly to our fantastic audience – music helps the world go round, thank you for your support!”

Festival manager Marc Anderson says the festival o ers the chance to catch your favourite musicians, discover new artists, or just revel in all the fun and atmosphere it creates across the city.

“ ere is something for everyone – so head to our website now to check out events at: jazz.org.nz”

For the entire 60th Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival programme, click on the ‘Events’ tab.

For a map and programme of the Downtown Carnival on Easter Saturday, April 8, and Easter Sunday, April 9, click on the ‘Festival info’ tab.

The future is here

Andrew Hall will be playing with his band Panacea at Downtown Carnival.

Concert Series like never before!

Win tickets to a Jazz Fest event!

April in Tauranga City is going to be super fun thanks to e Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz from April 1-10. Have look at the full programme and what out what’s for you at: jazz.org.nz

anks to the organisers, e Weekend Sun has a double pass to give away to an event in e Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz

Beware – this year Baycourt is the stage for the biggest, most diverse music menu brought by the National Jazz Festival to Tauranga than ever before!

Organiser Marc Anderson says 11 acts will serve up sounds from classical jazz, swing, rhythm and blues, to acid jazz and heavy funk in the 60th Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival’s Baycourt Concert Series this April. “ ere will be a concert to suit everyone!” What’s more, the Series has three major milestones: e Rodger Fox Big Band marks its own 50th anniversary with a show; duo Allana Goldsmith and Mark Baynes perform their songs in te Reo Māori –and the 60th Anniversary Gala celebrates the festival’s history and the best of Bay of Plenty jazz and blues.

‘ e Jac is Back’

e Series begins with ‘ e Jac is Back’ on April 6 from 6.30pm. e eight-piece ensemble o ers contemporary original jazz, pushing modern sound with distinctive compositions.

e same night, April 6, from 8.30pm, e Rodger Fox Big Band plays ‘Rodger plays Rodger’ – with their latest recordings and songs by Matt Harris and Bill Cunli e. On April 7, psychedelic rock band e New Caledonia will push the boundaries with a creative, experimental journey of music from 6pm. From 8pm April 7, Melbourne’s famous jazz band ‘Piping Hot Dixie’ is joined by organist Scott Harrison on the Wurlitzer. On April 8 at 1pm the Michal Martyniuk Trio with Dixon Nacey perform new jazz-fusion material.

Songs in te Reo Māori

en singer-songwriter Allana Goldsmith (Ngati Porou/Ngai Tai) and composer pianist Mark Baynes bring te Reo Māori, Taonga Puoro and jazz to Baycourt at 6pm April 8 from album ‘E Rere Rā’. Allana, who has attended the festival since the age of 17, appreciates the chance to bring original music “and branch out into things people aren’t so used to;

into music people don’t realise could be in another language”. “I enjoy pushing the boundaries of what people are used to hearing and letting them discover jazz sounds great in another language.”

60th Anniversary Gala

e 60th Anniversary Gala at 8pm April 8 features at’s Life, e Torch Songs Band, Caitriona Fallon, and Kokomo. e gala will be MC’d by BOP musician and National Youth Jazz Competition manager Liam Ryan. “ e idea of the show is to produce a cavalcade of musicians who’ve played the festival over the decades – particularly the last 20-30 years. “We’ve assembled acts that include Brian Geoghan and Dave Proud, who were part of Dr Jazz – pioneers of jazz around the Bay of Plenty – vocalist Carol Storey in cabaret-style; Caitriona Fallon, famed for her ‘Riverdance’ background; and BOP music institution Kokomo.

“I will narrate the festival’s history – from how it began in the 1960s through to it being NZ’s National Jazz Festival today.”

e Tauranga Big Band Showcase is 1.30pm April 9 with some of NZ’s most innovative composers – from Oscar Lavën, Wayne Senior, Lauren Ellis, to Ryan Brake. Auckland jazz-funk mainstay e Blue Train Reunion perform 3pm April 9. And at 6pm April 9 Sassy & e Blue Riders play a stunning portfolio of bluesdrenched original jazz. Blue Riders’ lead, Liam, says they’ve been playing, workshopping, writing songs and recording with ‘Sassy’, Sarah Spicer, for seven years “but we’ve very rarely done shows as the whole co-operative – so this is special”.

Black Comet

en soul and grooves meets Galactic Funk – Black Comet plays 8pm April 9. “Having the NZ-based vepiece, led by Laughton Kora, in the Baycourt Series shows the festival is turning a corner in what it o ers audiences,” says Marc. Find out more and book tickets at: https://jazz.org.nz

festival line-up this April (subject to availability) for one lucky reader who tells us how many students are entering the National Youth Jazz Competition this year?

Read this Jazz Festival feature from page 15-19 to nd the answer! Entries must be received by Tuesday, April 4.

Kokomo complete the line-up for the 60th Anniversary Gala.

at’s Life will perform in the 60th Anniversary Gala at Baycourt.

Allana Goldsmith and Mark Baynes will perfrom in te Reo Māori.

Jazz festival heads outdoors once again!

e Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz festival is set to jazz up the city big time – with more than 60 acts playing outdoors during Easter as the event returns to open-air shows and its April timeslot.

ose who love jazz to funky music can sit outside, sip beverages, eat delicious morsels, dance, and enjoy listening to sounds permeate from three locations between April 7-10.

TECT Jazz Village takes over e Historic Village from 11am-5.30pm Easter Friday, April 7, with three outdoor stages hosting e Madeleines, Miho’s Jazz Orchestra, Retro Groove, Big Tasty, Richter City Rebels, the Jake Baendale Quartet, Trevor Braunius and Jill Leighton, Iskra, Shaken not Stirred and Fusion Pod, and a number of youth bands to total more than 20 acts people can dance to, picnic and enjoy a chocolate box of jazz avours.

New Orleans-style

“In true New Orleans-style, you can join the revelry, dance to dixie and swing, relax on the lawn in front of the outdoor stage and be entertained,” says organiser Marc Anderson. “ e Little Big Markets will have art and craft stalls and a wide variety of food and refreshments so you can make a day of it.”

Tauranga-born Shannon Evison and Hannah Kee, who make up two-thirds of trio e Madeleines with Auckland Jess Rogers, can’t wait to return home to play in the festival they watched as kids.

“It’s incredibly rewarding because we grew up

going to the festival and have so much respect for the musicians...it’s pretty special coming home to be part of the festival. We’re really looking forward to it!,” says Shannon, who with Hannah were taught by Tauranga’s jazz scene legend Murray Mason, and Stephanie Gore at Tauranga Girls’ College.

Shannon says e Madeleines show is full of jazz, swing and glamour. “ ere’s lot of laughs and beautiful harmonies and is fully choreographed too, so we get people up

dancing with us!” General admission $25 per adult, with under-14s free. Gates open 10.30am.

Downtown Carnival

On Easter Saturday, April 8 and Easter Sunday, April 9, the Downtown Carnival is the place to be – with a whopping 40 acts

performing from 12-6pm along e Strand, Wharf St and Red Square.

Here people can enjoy all tastes and moods of music on multiple outdoor stages amid dozens of bars and restaurants. It o ers two days to dance, dine, shop and relax amongst the jazz, with a line-up including at’s Life, e Afrolites, Charrúas, Shaken Not Stirred, Voxnova and more. “ is is when the city just comes alive with jazz – it will keep you dancing all weekend! And entry is via gold coin donation, with under-14s gaining free entry,” says Marc.

Jazz at the Mount e Mount’s own free outdoors party is Jazz at the Mount on Easter Monday, April 10, from 9.30am5pm at Papa O Ngā Manu Porotakataka Park, courtesy of Mount Mainstreet. is year there’s more acts, sounds and fun for family and friends right in the centre of the Mount’s main shopping area. e event has a Vintage Car Parade at 11am driving along Maunganui Rd past the stage and into Coronation Park, where a Vintage Car Display parks up 12 noon-1pm. Marc says the festival – with more than 60 acts for its 60th anniversary – o ers more music whether you’re young, old, your tastes are traditional or funky or anything in between. “We want people to bring their family and friends for a Tauranga jazz adventure! For more details and tickets, see: https://jazz.org.nz

e Downtown Carnival is back outdoors this Easter, o ering a whopping 40 acts to festival-goers.

Jazz at the Mount

Wellington-based Duke Wellington will play at Jazz at the Mount on Easter Monday.

e biggest youth competition in history – and a stream of smaller events sprinkled around Tauranga City – will be packed into e Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz Festival this April.

ese are the events you may not have heard about –but are not to be missed!

e festival begins di erently this year – with a Street Party in Katikati from 11am-2pm tomorrow, April 1. e free family day o ers soulful sounds, food, market stalls and kids entertainment. So get along!

From April 1-5, the 16th Ave eatre presents ‘Unforgettable – e Nat King Cole Story’ thanks to long-time music educator Murray Mason teaming up with Tauranga director Merv Beets. In a warm and intimate narrated concert you’ll be transported to a 1960s American Jazz Club, with a programme of Nat King Cole’s most famous songs stylistically spanning six decades, delivered by Michelle Coombe, Matilda Vahey-Bourne, Anna Sherrer and Barry Spedding. Book tickets at: 16thavetheatre. icket.co.nz

National youth competition

is year, the Wright Family Foundation 45th National Youth Jazz Competition is on Tuesday, April 4- ursday, April 6 from 9am-5pm at Baycourt. Manager Liam Ryan says this competition will be the biggest yet,

DUCTED SYSTEMS

with more than 550 students from 30-plus secondary schools competing. “ is year we’ve got more than 40 Combos, and more than 20 Big Bands – so it’s huge.

“We have a new sponsor – the Wright Family Foundation – and a new youth jazz event further downtown. To think six years ago we had 200 students in the comp – so it’s going from strength-to-strength –it’s become the Aims Games of Jazz!”

e competition will utilise two theaters full-time for three days – and the music that will swirls out of them will not only be traditional jazz.

Liam says jazz has become hip in the high school curriculum, with Kiwi students looking to young jazz players like Snarky Puppy and Cory Wong in the US and Europe who play the genre – but sound-infused with funk, hip hop, soul and that’s coming through

in the repertoire. “All of those avours are coming through in the modern jazz repertoire; and when you see the kids perform you really hear that sound of genres crossing over and fusing – it’s very exciting.”

Jazz Café & VIP Bar

To extend youth performances is a new Superstar Jam at the Wharf St stage in Tauranga City, from 5pm on Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 5 – by students. Or how about relax with a jam session at the Jazz Café & VIP Bar, at Picnicka in Elizabeth Towers from 9pm-12am April 7, 8 & 9. With

a house band and guest musicians, the music-lovers’ treat has limited entry – so book now!

Scenic jazz cruise

A scenic jazz cruise on the historic Kewpie 4.30pm-6pm on April 8-9 lets passengers indulge in ne wines and beers and onboard jazz as the sun goes down and the city lights up. Book the unique experience at: jazz.org.nz

On Sunday, April 9 is a tea dance where guests can dance and dine with e Tauranga Big Band at Tauranga Citizens Club from 5.30pm. Find tou more and book tickets at jazz.org.nz

HEATING AND COOLING SOLUTIONS

DUCTED SYSTEMS

HEATING AND COOLING SOLUTIONS

DUCTED SYSTEMS

A scenic jazz cruise on the historic Kewpie is on o er April 8-9.

A Wellington group having fun performing at a past National Youth Jazz Competition.

PCDUAU0920

Schools need certainty and stability now more than ever!

Hon Jan Tinetti

e National Party has announced its education policy and it is causing a lot of concern within the education sector.

After three years of Covid-19 disruptions, schools are nally settling down and National wants to throw that all up in the air with major disruptions to learning and underinvestment. National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough few years, certainty and stability.

National’s policy is light on detail, they haven’t said how much their changes will cost, how they will resource them and what their commitments to teachers’ pay

is. Forcing children to do an hour each of reading, writing and maths every day isn’t going to make them enjoy it or learn better, and more intensive testing isn’t going to make school a place where they want to be. It looks like the National Party want to bring back their failed experiment of National Standards.

National’s track record on education is one of serious underinvestment, rundown schools and classrooms and stagnant teachers’ pay, which has resulted in teacher shortages and a demoralised workforce. Nothing in National’s education policy shows they are prepared to back our kids and lift outcomes, or put up the funding to seriously invest in their future.

Labour has invested in our children, upgraded nearly every school in the country, improved teachers’ pay and introduced programmes that help parents and make kids want to be at school. Labour has a plan to properly fund education and make sure it works for every student. Schools need certainty and stability now more than ever.

Giving children the opportunity to thrive and prosper

National is committed to Teaching the Basics Brilliantly and completely uplifting our education system. We will ensure every child has the skills they need in reading, writing, maths and science to set them up for further success.

All primary and intermediate schools will teach an hour each of reading, writing and maths every day. We will ensure the curriculum states what must be taught each year in reading, writing, maths and science to every year group through to Year 8, ensuring consistency and accuracy. National will require standardised, robust assessment of student progress in reading, writing and maths at least twice-a-year every year from Year 3 to Year 8, with clear reporting to parents.

We’ll ensure teachers and teacher trainees spend more time learning how to teach the basics and provide them with more

classroom tools and lesson plans to help them teach reading, writing, maths and science. National will set a target of 80 per cent of Year 8 students being at or above the expected curriculum level for their age in reading, writing, maths and science by 2030.

Further, we’ll aim to return NZ students to the top 10 in the world in maths, reading and science, measured by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Programme for International Student Assessment rankings, by 2033.

I’m proud to be part of a team that will lift our education standards and student achievement and give this generation of NZ children the opportunity to thrive and prosper in all that they do.

The reality of money...

Money has an immense amount of control over our lives, but do we understand how money operates?

Neil Oliver, of GB News, recently raised this point, quoting Henry Ford who once remarked: “It is well enough that the people of the nation do not understand our banking system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.”

Oliver points out: “ e truth of which most people are unaware of is that money is created out of thin air, not backed by anything real…It’s conjured out of nowhere and exists now only because the banker says it does. He then says you have to pay him back the loan, plus, interest.

Still hard port, full steam ahead!

“He’s allowed to credit your account with money that did not exist until you asked for it and he then charges interest on that previously non-existent sum. Talk about a foolproof way to make money!” Bo Polny, in a recent interview on USA Watchdog, made a similar point:

“Everything you think you owe, the bank created out of thin air. at’s a fraud.” e world is our home. ere is plenty for everyone. Yet the greed of a fraudulent system makes slaves of us all.

Carolyn Stock, Tauranga City.

e helm has changed, the direction has changed, but the destination is the same! Hard port, and full steam ahead! We had ree Waters where the control of assets would be removed From Local Government. Now new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is doing the same thing, under a di erent name. is time it’s called Resource Management Reform.

e ‘Natural and Built Environment Bill’, which is in progress, will create more red tape. It’s questionable – the ability for most ratepayers to have a say in the 15 new ‘regional planning committees’. e new plan looks surprisingly similar to the old plan. But instead of taking council’s water assets, they want to take control of council functions

A no-sense roundabout... Is this a joke?

Even after all this time watching the trucks, rollers, diggers and roadsta go back and forwards working on State Highway 2 this year I am just in shock that Morton Rd has got a roundabout with SH2 before Omokoroa Rd has.

Morton Rd is probably home to about 100 to 200 residents tops. Omokoroa Rd is heading towards 20,000 residents. I mean ‘Hello?

Anyone home NZTA?’

Does this organisation have any common sense?

Actually, I think I’ve already

answered that question.

K Moorland, Katikati.

**Waka Kotahi NZTA responds: Work to upgrade the SH2/ Ōmokoroa Rd intersection is underway, this project is led by Western Bay of Plenty District Council which secured funding for the project in 2022. Service locations are in progress ahead of construction. e Morton Rd roundabout will provide a safe turnaround point, and is being built before exible median barrier is installed along SH2.

Re: Noise complaints – where’s the guidelines?

( e Sun, March 17, letters page 14).

Is this a joke? is person is complaining about the owner of a large nextdoor property going about his everyday business maintaining his property.

Of course he will be using larger machinery to do this. He is also doing it in permitted hours. I think this person needs to nd another place where there is no noisy machines. eg a retirement village.

Or does he enjoy the view of the large property nextdoor, but not the noise which comes from maintaining said property?

Philip

Evans-McLeod,

Tauranga City.

of planning, consenting, and your environment. Again a good percentage of the decisions will be made by people who on an individual basis no-one voted for. e plan is to create more government departments that don’t accurately represent regional New Zealand. e main problem with the Regional Planning Committees is that they won’t respond to what the public wants. It’s another example of ‘get on board to improve the Titanic’.

Andrew Clow, Te Puna.

A negligible time difference

It can be a challenge to keep to the speed limit along Papamoa Beach Rd. It may be of comfort to some drivers that 5km takes six minutes at a speed of 50km/ hr, and ve minutes at an illegal speed of 60km/hr. Stick to around 50km/ hr and know it’s a negligible time di erence.

Craig McFarlane, Papamoa.

future!

Forge a future!

Re: ‘We need to forge a future together as one’ Steve Morris’ column, page 14, e Weekend Sun, March 24 edition. Forge a future. I commend and applaud Steve Morris’ column last week for its measured consideration and warning about maintaining unity of our population.

Keith Overend, Bellevue.

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Leave it with Scott

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handles everything from start to nish. With Scott’s expertise at your disposal, you can rest assure that your most signi cant asset is in capable hands. Please refer to this page to contact Scott.

Scott Symes, with son Nathaniel. Photo: supplied.

Get some tailored solutions to your finances

ere has been some real uncertainty in the housing market of late. ere is talk of a potential recession and everyone needing to tighten their belts. is is the time to talk with a nancial adviser who knows the ins and outs of the market.

Seize the opportunity

ere are some really good options for investment buyers who can bene t from current market conditions, with lots of opportunities to take advantage of. Despite the challenges of the past year, the property market remains resilient and presents investors with a wide range of options. With rental prices at an all-time high, investors can bene t from increased cash ow helping service part of their

loan application. In addition, with property prices having eased slightly in some areas, investors have potential to secure properties at a lower cost, making this an ideal time to invest in property. Having a rental property which is a new build, will allow for tax deductibility and if held for more than 10 years, can still form part of the capital needed to put

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We're focused on helping you achieve your financial goals.

We are a team of financial advisers specialising in mortgage lending of any type including first home purchases, investment properties, up-sizing houses and business purchases.

Businesses asked to give blood and help towards saving lives

Priority One and NZ Blood are calling on Western Bay of Plenty businesses to put on their capes and join forces to potentially save lives by giving blood next Wednesday, April 5.

Priority One’s rst-ever Tauranga Blood Drive is on from 9.30am-1pm at Priority One’s

o ces in downtown Tauranga, with the aim of collecting as much blood as possibly for NZ Blood.

“Each and every week, more than 5000 blood donations are needed here in New Zealand and with less than four per cent of Kiwis currently donating, we are often behind where we need to be to support our people in need.

“ at’s why we’re rallying our

Tristan Hewett Director, Financial Adviser 021 119 9458 tristan@rapson.co.nz

We deal with banks on your behalf making the lending process easy and stress-free, and there generally no cost for our services. We can also provide financial advice on your existing loan structure to help with interest rate savings.

We deal with banks on your behalf making the lending process easy and stress-free, and there generally no cost for our services.

We are a team of financial advisers specialising in mortgage lending of any type including first home purchases, investment properties, up-sizing houses and business purchases.

We are a team of financial advisers specialising in mortgage lending of any type including first home purchases, investment properties, up-sizing houses and business purchases.

We can also provide financial advice on your existing loan structure to help with interest rate savings.

We deal with banks on your behalf making the lending process easy and stress-free, and there generally no cost for our services.

We can also provide financial advice on your existing loan structure to help with interest rate savings.

community to come together and make a di erence. Donating blood is a simple and quick process that can have a huge impact on someone’s life. In fact, just one donation can help save up to three lives!”

“By taking just a few minutes out of your day to donate, you’ll not only be helping those in need, but you’ll also be contributing to our collective e ort to ensure our community has a reliable and sustainable blood supply.

“Plus, you’ll have the chance to mingle with other local businesses while enjoying some refreshments – cookies and chocolate included!”

So rally teams, get those veins pumping and do some good for our community – book for the event at: https://www.nzblood.co.nz

Brooke Reynolds Director, Financial Adviser 021 942 320 brooke@rapson.co.nz

We deal with banks on your behalf making the lending process easy and stress-free, and there generally no cost for our services. We can also provide financial advice on your existing loan structure to help with interest rate savings.

Jacques Pitts Financial Adviser 027 301 7177 jacques@rapson.co.nz

Book and songs show in Greerton

A best-selling author is heading to Greerton in April for a show as part of Tauranga City Libraries’ school holidays programme.

e programme is hosting a Deano Yipadee Show at Greerton Hall on ursday, April 20 from 10am-11am. Here, author, musician and performer Deano Yipadee, aka ‘Nee Naw Man’, will have your child in stitches as they

read, sing, laugh, and bounce along with his collection of chart-topping Scholastic books and songs. Deano will take you on a hilarious comedy live-music adventure featuring ‘Nee Naw’, ‘the Little Fire Engine’, ‘Stink-o-saurus’, ‘Granny’s Undies’, and the brand-new book, ‘Dusty the Digger’. ere will be time for photos and autographs after. Places are limited and adults must book a ticket. See: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/deanoyipadee-show-tickets-596137412047

Easter comes to the village!

e great Easter Egg Hunt is coming back to Greerton Village – and it’s time for a bit of fun counting the eggs in participating stores.

From Monday, April 3, kids can follow a hunt around Greerton, complete their entry form, count the eggs they see in each window, total them up and be in to win some chocolatey prizes.

Eggs!

Greerton Village Community Association chairman Tony Ryan says local businesses are getting into the swing of things – including his own, Ataxz Accounting on Cameron Rd.

Easter Egg Trail

Easter Egg Trail

“We have an o ce upstairs but will be displaying our eggs on the front door for everyone to see.”

Bunny!

And with Easter comes the Easter Bunny! He will be hopping around Greerton Village on ursday, April 6, between 11-1pm, handing out chocolate eggs! If you see him, stop him and say ‘Hi’; we are sure you will be rewarded with a sweet treat! ose wanting to participate will be able to collect entry forms from Greerton Library or Greerton Village School.

Easter Egg Trail

Sahra Wallace was a winner last year.

Greerton shaking off old image

Greerton has decided it’s time to move on from promoting the village as the ‘op shop capital of New Zealand’ and go for a more authentic approach to bring people to the village and the region.

Mainstreet Greerton spokesperson Mahia Martelli says it’s an exciting opportunity for Greerton.

Unique points

Greerton Mainstreet along with Tourism Bay of Plenty and Stu have been working on a marketing campaign to showcase the unique points of the four Mainstreets – Greerton, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Downtown Tauranga – with

the intention of bringing more tourists into Tauranga. e four Mainstreets are actively working together on the interactive marketing drive.

“As well as showcasing the

retailers and businesses in our village, we also want to display our beautiful Yatton Park, golf course and racecourse and include the historical meanings behind

Paihia could be your perfect pet!

is handsome boy was left in a park with his litter, but Paihia is now thriving in the rescue.

He’s still young, so when he nds his new home he will need to continue puppy training and socialisation.

Home of love

A mixed-breed dog, we believe Paihia will grow to be medium-size, but we cannot guarantee this. He needs a home

of love, understanding and patience so he can settle in and learn how to be the perfect dog.

Fast dude

Paihia is a fast wee dude for having such small legs. His favourite thing is jumping in a pile of freshly-fallen leaves or chasing them as the wind blows them around the garden.

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

each of the areas.” is week has been lled with drone lming, schedules and talent arrangement in the village and surrounding areas.

Interactive campaign

Mahia says the interactive campaign has been well received by village businesses. ey were consulted to see if they wanted to be involved, and those who put their hands up will be speci cally featured.

“Greerton Village will have its own external webpage linked to the Stu website that will be viewed by thousands, I am so happy to be putting in the extra time and energy towards this exciting initiative and help bring people here.” e interactive campaign will be going live in April.

Greerton amid its 2022 Spring Blossom Festival.

Across

1. Famous Painter (7,6)

8. Township (SI) (5)

9. Haulage (7)

10. Appoint (6)

11. Maori fortification (NI) (4,2)

12. Number (5)

14. Terminate (5) 18.

The jazz festival – bigger than ever!

I know I make a big deal about the Jazz Festival – because it is a big deal.

ere are many reason to love Tauranga: clean and beautiful beaches; the majestic Mount; a rich and diverse café culture; the ability to provide housing for half the country’s retirees; and the bright and vibrant CBD.

Ah, see what I did there? One of those things is not like the others. Driving the Mount’s mainstreet on a Saturday followed by a jaunt down Devonport Rd and e Strand is a study in contrasts. e Mount is buzzing; Tauranga...not so much.

I guess things will change. In a few years. I have no solutions, only sympathy for the retailers and hospo businesses trying to stay a oat while swimming against the tide.

But help is on the horizon: e Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz Festival.

e jazz festival is the most important musical event on Tauranga’s annual calendar, despite the deluge of new summer festivals turning the city into a party venue, at least in years when it doesn’t rain from November to February. is is not just any old provincial festival but New Zealand’s National Jazz Festival, with a long, proud heritage of being the

country’s oldest festival and having hosted legends from around the world since the early-1960s.

Beatles

Yep. While the Beatles were waiting to score their rst hit in Britain, a bunch

couple of my favourites – Tauranga’s Afrolites and Wellington’s Shaken Not Stirred – will be there. Aside from possibly New Year’s Eve this is the busiest time of year for Downtown Tauranga, so good work the jazz festival. Support it, support the city that created it – be proud it is happening here! Bookending that is music on Friday at e Historic Village and Monday at the Mount –this is a true celebration to mark 60 years; it promises to be very special.

So much music

of brave souls in the Bay of Plenty were preparing for something unknown in New Zealand at the time – a jazz festival.

If you think I exaggerate how unusual this was back then, look at the history of the legendary New Orleans Jazz Festival. In 1962 future organiser George Wein met with the Mayor and members of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.

To quote Wikipedia: “ ey decided that New Orleans and the South were not ready for a jazz festival”.

And just like that, Tauranga’s National Jazz beat New Orleans to the punch (they eventually launched in 1965).

Amongst the events at the festival – and given it’s running for 10 days there’re a lot to choose from – the most popular is the Downtown Carnival, held on ve stages along e Strand and around Downtown Tauranga. It runs all day Easter Saturday and Sunday and a gold coin donation will get you in.

More than 40 bands are playing across two days so a list seems pointless. A

ere’s just so much music: jam sessions in Wharf Street on Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 5pm; a house band and guest musicians at Picnicka in Elizabeth Towers as it becomes the Jazz Café & VIP Bar from 9pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Best book that one as it lls up quickly.

One other thing warms the cockles of my increasingly clapped-out heart. e Baycourt Concert Series, bigger than ever before, places Tauranga front and centre as it should be. Not only do we hear jazz from around the country but we get to show o homegrown talent.

Try these three concerts. Pride of place in the main theatre on Saturday night is the 60th Anniversary Gala, highlighting two past and two current Tauranga bands, a bunch of guests and a whole lot of jamming: at’s Life o er a bit of trad, Torch Songs reunite, Catriona Fallon brings her impeccable singing and Kokomo add a little blues. It promises a most entertaining evening.

And the Tauranga Big Band has a new programme for their matinee concert on Easter Sunday, while Sassy & e Blue Riders features singer Sarah Spicer backed by some of the Bay’s nest on Sunday night.

People enjoyed Jazz at the Mount's 2022 debut. Photo supplied.

Walk, learn and enjoy the WBOP

e 20th annual ECHO Walking Festival is proving so popular that several of its guided walks have already sold out.

e two week-long event from April 1-16 has 32 walks in eight areas, including Waihi Beach and Katikati, with some featuring boat rides, kayaking or biking.

One genealogy walk is through a cemetery and for the rst time, one walk will be iwi-led. “It’s the walk at Bowentown Heads,” says festival chairperson Vicki Lambert.

“It’s very cool and we’re excited to have it on the programme. ere’s not a lot of written Māori history because it’s a spoken as a way of passing it down. It’s a great chance to hear Reon Tuanau of Te Whānau a Tauwhao. He’s a great orator and will share the area’s rich cultural history.”

Vicki says one of the most sought-after trips each year is to Tuhua Mayor Island. “It sells out every year. It’s a grade ve walk, so one of the more challenging trips

It’s a brisk autumn morning, all rugged up, you tug at your cosy blanket – but there’s a heavy lump at the end of your bed!

e lump lets out a purr and snuggles into your side – all is warm and happy.

You can attain this euphoric feeling by heading to one of two animal adoption days in town this weekend! e SPCA Tauranga Centre’s Open Adoption Day tomorrow, April 1, which has a 75 per cent discount on adoption fees. Meanwhile, Rescue Revive Rehome will have a dog adoption day on Sunday, April, 2 at Snap Fitness Papamoa from 10am-2pm with plenty of pups and teen dogs to fall for.

At the SPCA, centre manager Andrea Crompton says there’s lots of wonderful animals looking for a new home “and it’s

and takes a full eight to nine hours. But there’s a special treat because it’s guided by James Denyer – so you actually get to go on an exclusive walk with the Western Bay of Plenty Mayor.”

e festival hopes to inspire Western Bay of Plenty locals to explore more of their own backyard.

“Every walk is led by experienced guides to be informative – and, in some cases, take you over private land that can’t normally be accessed.

“We want to rekindle people’s love of getting out into this amazing country,” says Vicki. “For example, the north head mining tour at Waihi Beach will give an insight into local history. Most people don’t realise there’s mine shaft that runs out to treasure island reef o the coast of Waihi Beach. It’s fascinating.”

Vicki says the festival coincides with

a good time to have company in the winter months when you’re home more often and not out and about

Like everyone – Andrea has her favourites among the centre’s 50-plus furry friends. One is lovely mature lady cat, Tilly.

“She’s a real smoochy pussy cat and she loves everybody she meets, she’s not discerning, everyone she meets is wonderful, and she comes rushing up to us every morning for cuddles.”

On the canine side, Andrea likes cheerful pup ‘Pumba’ – after Disney’s ‘ e Lion King’. “He’s like a lion because he’s that brave and happy.”

e SPCA Tauranga Centre open day is at 43 Alach St, Gate Pa, on April 1, from 9am-5pm. ere will be a co ee cart, sausage sizzle, lucky dips and more!

For more on RRR’s dog adoption day, see: https://www.facebook.com/ RRRCanine

school holidays for families who’d like to come along. “ rough the festival, we want to encourage all New Zealanders to enjoy the outdoors, to appreciate the attractions of our region, and to keep t and active,” says Vicki. “ ere’s a real diversity in the walks, in terms of length, degree of di culty and topics, so we really can say that there is something for everyone.”

For more information; visit: echowalkfest.org.nz

Debbie Grfiffiths

Georgia Minkhorst

Adopt someone to love this winter!

e Orokawa Trig Walk, which is part of the festival, has beautiful sea views. Photo: supplied.

Love rather than tolerate, and discover joy again!

I feel very sad about the anxiety-riddled world we seem to be building. Media and social media have created a toxic

culture of image and identity anxiety. Children are having to wrestle at younger and younger ages with issues that are adult issues – an identity takes a lifetime to form – why force identity and image obsessiveness onto the young?

It seems we are now embroiled in ideological

Churches

Replace CHURCH CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE with St Andrews Church, Dee St, Mt Maunganui Bible Study 9:30am - Worship Service 10:45am

Also replace the words: ONLINE SERVICES ONLY MountSDA@gmail.com

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wars that we have sourced from the US – the right-wing and left-wing ideologies that seem increasingly intolerant and judgemental as a recent visitor to our country discovered. e pursuit of freedom and wokeism is doing very bad things to our once-neighbourly country.

e way conversation does not take place is also a part of this sad deterioration. We throw words at each other via social media, we follow ‘in uencers’, we interact through socially distant screens. It is

You are welcome to worship with us each Sabbath (Saturday)

St Andrews Church, Dee St, Mt Maunganui Bible Study 9:30am • Worship Service 10:45am

Enquiries 021 277 1909

We look forward to seeing you!

mtmaunganui.adventist.org.nz

hard to be angry when we meet real people and have real conversations and see that all our stories matter. Jesus suggested we love God and love our neighbour. When we love God we can see that everyone is a created wonder (imperfect but wonderful). When we love our neighbours we listen, show kindness, accept di erence. It is a pretty good rule of life and, perhaps, as we love rather than tolerate, we will discover joy again.

Nigel Dixon, vicar, Holy Trinity Tauranga.

Tauranga

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public notices

BAYPARK TO BAYFAIR LINK PARTIAL CLOSURE OF BAYFAIR ROUNDABOUT

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency wishes to advise that a partial overnight closure of the Bayfair roundabout will be in place, either between 1) Matapihi Road and Girven Road, or 2) Girven Road and Matapihi Road, from Sunday 2 April to Wednesday 5 April (approximately 5.30pm to 6.00am on Sunday, and approximately 7.00pm to 6.00am Monday to Wednesday, nights only).

During these hours, there will be a signposted detour for motorists via either 1) the Golf Road roundabout or 2) the SH29A roundabout. The partial closures will vary night to night, depending on progress and site requirements.

Please visit nzta.govt.nz/baylinkdetour for detour information.

In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the closure may be moved to the next suitable night/s. Waka Kotahi thanks road users and local residents for their patience.

Intention to grant lease and reclassify a reserve

Beach Road Recreation Reserve and Waihī Beach Plunket Reserve

Pursuant to the provisions of the Reserves Act 1977 the Western Bay of Plenty District Council proposes to grant a lease to occupy a portion of Beach Road Recreation Reserve, Beach Road and Waihī Beach Plunket Reserve, Marine Avenue, Waihī Beach to The Waihī Beach Community Led Development Society for the purpose of creating a Community Māra Kai (Food Garden).

The area proposed for the lease is approximately 2094m² more or less: 1895m² of Beach Road Recreation Reserve (Lots 9, 10, 11, 22 and 23 DP 17197) and 199m² of Waihī Beach Plunket Reserve (part of Lot 24 DP 17197).

In order to lease the 199m² portion of Waihī Beach Plunket Reserve it is proposed to reclassify the whole 379m² reserve from local purpose reserve (Plunket Rooms) to local purpose reserve (community use) to allow a more diverse community use of the reserve.

Further information relating to this notice can be obtained from the Legal Property Officer Reserves and Facilities, phone (07) 571 8008 ext 6683 or email reserves@ westernbay.govt.nz.

Anyone wishing to make comments, submissions or objections may do so in writing. All correspondence to be received before 5pm Monday 1 May 2023.

Greerton

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Samsung Q led TV 2months old. Plenty of household items and clothing. Boat, shing gear and garden tools.

bible digest

1 “COME, LET US RETURN to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.

2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

(Hosea 6:1-2)

curriculum vitae

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You can help you look great on paper. Targeted or generic cover letters also available. Samples to view on facebook www.facebook. com/acvforyou or Ph/text 021 27 27 912

LOOKING FOR LAND to rent or lease for tiny home within 10km of Tauranga. Required within 3-4 weeks. References available. Ph Chris 021 989 045

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, approximately 2 years old, Te Kuiti.

Ref 574960

Found Puppy, Black and White, Male, approximately 9 weeks, Rotorua. Ref 574203

trades & services

CURTAIN MAKING & CLOTHES

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trades & services

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

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Please Contact: Ph. No8 Tours team on 579 3981 Or Email admin@ no8tours.co.nz Or visit www. no8tours.co.nz to register or book & receive a tour catalogue.

situations vacant deceased

John Holyoake Chief Executive Officer

Address all correspondence to Legal Officer, Reserves and Facilities, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Private Bag 12803, Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga 3143 or email reserves@westernbay.govt.nz Mā

For our community

Tauranga , your stories are in safe hands