The Weekend Sun - 5 May 2023

King Charles III will be their king. Gen Z, the social media and smartphone generation, including this talented and eminently likeable bunch from Ōtūmoetai College. On the eve of the Coronation, what do they think of Prince Charles?

What’s the relevance of the monarchy to them? Will they be loyal subjects? Will they be watching when the three-day long, British taxpayer-sponsored NZ$200 million jamboree plays out around the world this weekend?

e Coronation comes during a cost of living crisis, and when British polls show public support for the monarchy has fallen to an historic low.

But how do our own enlightened young Kiwi minds see it? A candid, right royal

exchange of ideas produced by Chloe Davison (centre) and with contributors (from left) Marc Lulu, Scarlett Nicholson, Peter Colonna and Samantha Bainbridge is on pages 6-7.

Photo: Brydie ompson.

The Weekend Sun is published every Friday and distributed throughout the Western Bay of Plenty from Waihi

Sun Media Ltd Directors: Claire & Brian Rogers Editor: Merle Cave Editorial: Letitia Atkinson, Alisha Evans, Rosalie Liddle Crawford, Taylor Rice, Georgia Minkhorst, Hunter Wells

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Earthers and grounders of the world unite

It was a source of deep o ence whenever I “let the dogs out”. Her words, not mine.

I’d have my feet safely out of sight under the work desk where I would quietly slip out of the FLorsheims and free up the phalanges. Aaaah yes! A simple, primal joy – kicking o the shoes to feel the sun, sea, grass or, in this case, the manky industrial carpet squares of the newsroom beneath the bare feet.

But, sooner or later, the “dogs” would wander from beneath the desk, and her cry would go up “the dogs are out again” and “ah yuk” and “disgusting”.

‘Dogs’ is not new-fangled young speak. It’s probably Cockney rhyming slang of 110 years ago. Dogs equals dog meat equals feet. Obvious isn’t it? And here’s me presuming feet had become ‘dogs’ simply because they stank and they strayed.

Not sure if my proclivity for barefeet – and or jandals – is a lifestyle statement, a statement for freedom of choice or just out-and-out laziness. Actually it’s the latter because I can’t be bothered putting shoes on. I just remember the school bell ringing at end of term, the shoes coming o , and they didn’t go on again until next term. It started right back then.

I don’t claim to be a trailblazer. Mankind has functioned very well for a very long time without shoes. Feet are one of nature’s marvels of engineering which can support their owner very well without help, without shoes. Our mum didn’t mind our bare feet because scrubbing them at days end was easier and more pleasant than the cumulative pong of four pairs of adolescent socks.

Joseph DeRuvo

en, this week, a bloke called Joseph DeRuvo walked barefoot into my life. Hannahs, Florsheims, Birkenstocks and Dr. Martens must hate him, and his like, because ‘Saint’ Joseph has been living an almost entirely barefoot existence around Norwalk, Connecticut, for

20 years. He has good reason. He has inoperable bunions but he also likes feeling grounded. Aaah – a soulmate. Another ‘earther’, another ‘grounder’ as we barefooters like to be known. I feel normalised.

Weird

But then it gets weird. DeRuvo has learning disabilities which come with sensory issues – and shoelessness helps him cope. Cuckoo! He also gets a little bit “edgier” than normal if not connected to the ground. e connection o ers him calm. And it’s spiritual for him. Of course it is. Very quickly this has all turned whacko!

I am just a shorts, T-shirt and barefeet kind of old guy. I don’t try to complicate it. e suggestion that going

Street Use and Public Places bylaws and the words shoes and bare feet didn’t crop up once. So go forth and pitter patter down Devonport Rd. Although I presume private places can dictate a dress code like a jacket and tie for men…and shoes and socks.

But why should there be rules about bare feet? Germs don’t magically jump from feet to other objects or people. Feet usually connect only with the ground or oor and pose no greater risk of spreading germs than shoes do. Hands are the real lthy menace. ey contact infected surfaces and then touch other objects, people or even food. Hands are disgusting.

barefoot should also o er me “reduced in ammation, improved sleep, stress relief, prevention of heart disease and improved mental health” just seems to be a whole lot of alternative bollocks. Because I am still the same maladjusted, wrung out, cantankerous old bastard that I ever was…and all that after a lifetime of avoiding shoes. But, interestingly, what Joseph DeRuvo did expose, apart from his toes, was social injustice. Shops couldn’t deal with his bare feet, and asked him to leave.

ey’d insist “shoes are required due to Health Department regulations”. Simply not true – don’t believe it, don’t accept it. DeRuvo would remind them “no shirt, no shoes, no service” isn’t an actual law.

I searched Tauranga City Council’s

And there’s social stigma with bare feet. I have a friend whose idea of formal is jandals. But when he broke a jandal on his way to a café, he couldn’t bring himself to enter. “I felt underdressed. I would have felt like a homeless person going out to eat.” I have put DeRuvo’s mobile on his speed dial. Or he could talk to the Society for Barefoot Living, which has been spreading the faith for three decades.

It o ers hints on getting started because it’s more than just taking o your socks. You have to “listen to your body”. I, personally, am not hearing much but apparently, “step by step, you explore and expand”. Creepy!

Myths

e SBL shatters myths – feet, by themselves, apparently do not produce bad odour. ere are barefooting FAQs – “Should I walk di erently with bare feet?”, and there’s merchandise like bare bottom shoes. Check them out and tell me you aren’t tempted to shred your pantyhose or Gold Tops here and now.

Email: hunter@thesun.co.nz

https://www.nyfoothealth.com/blog/2021/8/18/did-you-know-fun-facts-about-feet

Where’s the best place for a bus to stop outside a medical centre? Directly outside the entrance would be ideal for Mount Maunganui resident Chris Jaeger, but this isn’t the reality.

e 76-year-old Bayfair resident needs to bus to routine medical appointments at Grace Hospital on Cheyne Rd, Pyes Pa. From Bayfair, Chris takes a bus to Tauranga CBD’s Durham St bus stop, before catching the No1 bus to get to Grace Hospital. Yet where there once was a bus stop on Cheyne Rd by the hospital’s entrance – this is no longer the case. “ ere used to be a bus stop there, a covered bus stop, but it’s gone,” says Chris.

Making his way to Grace Hospital from the current bus stop on Condor Drive, Chris has to walk “up a hill and then about 800m along to where the actual hospital entranceway is, where everyone comes in their cars”. With a neuropathy disorder leaving him with no feeling in the back of his legs, Chris says: “Climbing that hill is a real hassle to me. It takes 10 minutes when it would probably take a normal person about three”.

Stops and routes

Earlier in April, Bay of Plenty Regional Council announced a proposed bus network refresh, which will include a new Route 1. e Sun asked BOPRC when and why the immediate bus stop by Grace Hospital’s entrance was removed. “It has been a number of years since a bus stopped directly outside Grace Hospital, the closest existing services are Route 1 and 51 and under the current proposal they’re replaced by new Route 23. We want to hear from our customers about the

Bus stop gets the drop

plan – what works for them, and what doesn’t,” says BOPRC transport planning manager Oliver Haycock.

e answer to the why seems unclear.However, e Sun questioned whether the update to the network will include a bus stop directly outside Grace Hospital.

Oliver says: “While BOPRC is not responsible for the placement or provision of bus stops and shelters, any comments related to infrastructure will be passed onto Tauranga City Council for consideration”

So e Sun contacted TCC to see whether the old bus stop will be reinstated. TCC transportation project manager Kurt Graham says: “ e bus stop shelter near Grace Hospital is still in place, however the bus route no longer goes by the stop, and the BOPRC network refresh is not proposing to change this”. “Questions regarding when and why the route changed, and the network refresh should be directed to BOPRC.”

Elderly’s experience

Amidst boomeranging between councils, Chris shared his thoughts on these responses: “It’s a hospital for goodness sake. Why won’t they do something? at’s actually telling people if you haven’t got a car or anything like that, tough, you’ve got to get a taxi.”

Chris goes to Grace Hospital at least eight times a year but depending on his health he could require fortnightly visits for multiple weeks too. “I’m very disappointed and they’re not helping the elderly people in Tauranga at all.

“ ere’s a lot of people that go to Grace Hospital for various reasons... and you know to get a taxi from there back home, if it’s raining, and it’s wet, that’s $55 – and for the elderly, especially for those on a sickness bene t, like it’s not a very good thing.” Read this story in full at: www.sunlive.co.nz

Chris Jaeger at the sheltered bus stop he takes from the Bayfair area into town.

Photo: John Borren.

Georgia Minkhorst

Turning ‘paradise’ into a parking lot

Funding and green space were key concerns for people speaking out against a proposed $220.2 million stadium at the Tauranga Domain during a Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday.

Members of clubs a ected by the proposal spoke in the public forum, supported by around 20 people. is was ahead of the commission being presented with the preliminary business case for the Tauranga Community Stadium.

e proposal

e ‘people’s stadium’, with an estimated $220.2 million cost, would provide 7000 permanent seats with the provision for an additional 8000 temporary seats.

It would include 2000m2 of exhibition space; function centre, community multi-use facility with changing rooms and lounge space, and sports science/ physiotherapy space.

If built, the stadium was expected to displace Tauranga Croquet and Tauranga Bowling clubs, and demolish the allweather athletics track.

Croquet club president Gretchen Benvie said in her view the plan would be “taking paradise and turning it into a

parking lot”. “To destroy the ne open green space that is the Tauranga Domain because of the desire of a few to build a rugby stadium for a few games a year would be ignoring the wants and needs of the majority of Tauranga residents.”

Tauranga Lawn Tennis Club president Philip Brown reiterated Benvie’s concerns around greenspace, saying the domain was the “only large green area in downtown Tauranga”. “Greenspace is far more valuable than any stadium.”

He also expressed concern about how the stadium would be funded and said in his opinion ratepayers “shouldn’t fund a whimsical stadium”.

Nigel Tutt, chief executive of WBOP economic development agency Priority One that led the business case, said a location analysis shows Tauranga Domain is the right place for the stadium. “Stadiums are complex and di cult...it’s not something for the faint-hearted.”

Nigel said the stadium would be used for professional and community sports, functions, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and as a teaching space for the University of Waikato. It would be open to the public provided it was not in use, said Nigel. “ is represents the best opportunity for Tauranga to have a stadium. It’s multi-use, it’s the right size and it ts all the needs that we have.”

Disappointed Commission chair Anne Tolley said she was disappointed to hear some domain users “continue to misrepresent what is being proposed”. “It’s been very clear from the start that this was to be an enhancement of the facilities that are currently there.”

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

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

An artist’s impression of the proposed community stadium at the Tauranga Domain.

MagnificentorchidsinMay

e Tauranga Orchid Show is making way for these wonderful owers this May!

For 2023 only, e Tauranga Orchid Show is changing up its usual September dates, holding the show today, May 4 and Saturday, May 5, instead.

“Orchids & More, which includes the National Orchid Expo, is taking place at the end of September at Mystery Creek,” says Tauranga Orchid Society president Conrad

Ready to get your harvest on?

Giant pumpkins, 3000-plus books and a live beehive. It’s all happening for Te Puna’s rst ever Harvest Market this Saturday, May 6.

“I’m always keen to celebrate the region we live in,” says Te Puna resident of 31 years, Sue Clarke. Alongside the Te Puna Hall committee crew, Sue says they wanted to do something in the community to bring people together.

“So we basically came up with the idea of the Harvest Market! Harvest markets traditionally around the world celebrate the end of a harvest, and I guess we are in a region for producing in Te Puna so that was kind of the inspiration for it.”

is Saturday, May 6, the market will have something for everyone to

enjoy with tasty food, a four-piece live band, craft and produce, ower and plant stalls and more, says Sue.

“We have people growing and producing interesting things from plants to owers, to mushrooms to arts and crafts – so I think it’s a nice way to celebrate what’s going on in the region.”

Keeping in line with the harvest theme, the market will run a giant pumpkin competition too. “Kids were given pumpkin seeds at Te Puna School last year so hopefully we’ve got a few big pumpkins!”

Books and bees

e market also coincides with the Te Puna library closing down, which donated all their books to the hall committee. “We’ve got 3500 ex-library books to sell.”

Also in the book space, Te Puna author Rachel Weston will be signing her books at the market

WhakahouTaketake

Update

and selling them on special. “She writes stories about insects and bumble bees and she’s got a live hive of bumble bees from the NZ Bumblebee Trust… that’s exciting and something else for children and adults to look at.”

e Rustic Charm Travelling Farm has also jumped on board and will journey from Reporoa with their friendly, hand-raised animals. “ ey’re bringing interesting animals. We’re getting a llama, a pig, and a big lizard to look at and to hold,” says Sue. “We hope people will come out and enjoy the afternoon because we’ve put something on for everyone really with the music, the food and something for the children.”

e Harvest Market is 12pm4pm on Saturday, May 6, at Te Puna Memorial Hall, 23 Te Puna Rd.

Coenen. “We simply couldn’t have managed to have our show one weekend and a national show the next, so we chose a time when di erent orchids are in ower so visitors have a new experience.” As well as mass displays of orchids, the show will have orchids and other plants for sale and o er visitors free growing advice. e Tauranga Orchid Show is at Tauranga Racecourse, Greerton, 10am-4pm on May 5-6. Entry is $3 entry and Under 12s are free.

Market coordinator Sue Clarke and Te Puna Hall

Committee chair Ian Duncalf with giant pumpkin and owers grown by Te Puna School students Monty and Vania Riddington.

Photo: Brydie ompson.

Georgia Minkhorst

How Gen Z rates the new King...

e numbers aren’t stacking up for King Charles. On the eve of his coronation, public support for the monarchy has fallen to historic lows with 45 per cent of Brits saying the monarchy isn’t important to them.

Young people are even more skeptical – 40 per cent of them want the monarchy abolished. However, they Royals still have pulling power in Tauranga. Because if King Charles III and Queen Camilla did a ‘meet and greet’ down Devonport Rd tomorrow, 17-year-old Scarlett Nicholson would be in the front row.

“I so would. It would be cool because they are famous – the same if it was

Waihī to Ōmokoroa Community open days

As part of the safety improvements already underway on this stretch of SH2, additional investment has provided for 14km of flexible median barrier and six intersection upgrades, making this road safe for everyone.

This is your opportunity to get up to speed with what’s happening on site and learn more about the construction programme ahead. For more information, visit nzta.govt.nz/w2o When

Saturday 6 May 2023

12pm to 2pm Where

Pātuki Manawa

The Digital Hub Katikati Public Library

21 Main Road Katikati

Taylor Swift or Guy Williams.” e Head of State of New Zealand mentioned in the same breath as a rock star and a comic. “Anyone famous,” she says.

Scarlett is one of four young people e Sun corralled from Ōtūmoetai College to o er their thoughts and opinions on the new monarch – and his relevance to them as young people.

Marc Lulu may or may not be there. But he certainly won’t be joining ‘the chorus of a million voices’ to swear allegiance to the new King and his heirs. “ ey don’t hold much signi cance in my life,” says the would-be accountant. “I don’t look up to them.” So he wouldn’t go out of his way to meet them.

Bragging rights

Samantha Bainbridge says being glad-handed by the royals would give her bragging rights.

“My Nan met Princess Diana at the opening of Baycourt 40 years ago, and she still talks about it. I think she would be jealous.”

Peter Colonna is head boy at Ōtūmoetai College. “ e King can’t change laws but he says stu than inspires people.” Peter can identify with that. He’s a gurehead, representing the school’s student body. King Charles is another gurehead.“ e royals, like Queen Elizabeth, are always a beacon of love and hope. King Charles is less important than major political gures like presidents and prime ministers. But to the people he’s very important. He’s there for the people, to connect with the people.” ere’s an adjunct. “I don’t like them.” Marc’s been pondering. “ e monarchy doesn’t really impact me or my life, but I respect that some people might look up them more than presidents and PMs.”

But if one of those presidents or PMs was on one side of the street and King Charles was on the other, Scarlett knows who she’d be drawn to. “King Charles. I’d be more excited to see him, probably because we’re part of the Commonwealth.”

What about King Charles the man, do we like him? ere’s quiet contemplation. “I just feel he’s probably done a bit of problematic stu ,” o ers Scarlett. “Some

not so honorable stu people of my generation might say they don’t want to support someone like that.”

She was thinking what we were all thinking, but didn’t want to say it. His adultery? “Exactly – and he’s probably a bit of a sexist.” “He’s just an old British dude,” says Peter. “A bit tarnished. All the Princess Diana stu . And I am a big Diana fan.”

But that ‘old British dude’ still sells magazines and newspapers, occupies primetime TV space, commands degrees of loyalty and will also command a global audience of tens of millions this weekend.

“I feel they’re just a boujee version of the Kardashians. It’s such a dramafest with them.”

Of course Peter refers to Prince Harry’s bitter feud with the ‘ rm’ and Prince Andrews expensive $12 million fall from grace.

And, it seems, the royals have increasing competition for the hearts and minds of young people. “Our generation has so many in uencers these days, so many people to look up to rather than the royals. ey were in uencers for our parents and grandparents.”

In uencers

e Gen Zs are technology-based; their in uencers very active online. “For some it might be the Kardashians, a sports star, Taylor Swift. Yeah a pop star!”

Someone like Harry Styles. Everyone adores Harry. But not so much the other Harry. “I think our age group is more into in uencers that are a little bit older than us...but not as old as the royal family.”

e Head Boy has a suggestion for the head royal. “I reckon if King Charles could do a TikTok dance, we might like him better.”

Scarlett’s postscript. “I was gonna talk about how sad I was when the Queen died, because from a feminist point of view it was cool we had this powerful woman in the spotlight for such a long time. And now we have this old problematic man.”

Scarlett’s grandparents rearranged their holiday to be in London as King Charles and Queen Camilla ride down the Mall. ere is life in the monarchy yet.

Workshops are available:

• Thursday 18 May, 6.30pm-8.30pm

• Saturday 20 May, 1pm-3pm

• Wednesday 7 June, 6pm-8pm

• Sunday 11 June, 12 noon-2pm

All workshops will be held at Envirohub Bay of Plenty, 31b Glasgow Street, Tauranga.

Ōtūmoetai College student Chloe Davison assisted the editorial production of this story.

Chloe Davison (centre) with the royal quiz-takers Marc Lulu, Scarlett Nicholson, Samantha Bainbridge and Peter Colonna. Photos: John Borren.

A Right Royal Quiz

Gen Z is often referred to as the rst fully ‘digitally native’ generation. ey’ve grown up with social media and smartphones and are right at home in a digital- rst world. But what do they know of Kings and Queens? We put our ink Tank to a monarchy test.

e Right Royal Quiz

1. Recite the rst verse of ‘God Save the King?’ “Absolutely not,” said one. e other three couldn’t either.

2. Is the new King the rst, second, third or fourth King Charles? He is the third. ree of four got it right.

3. What is the King’s family name? Lots of oohhs and aahhs but no right answers. It is Mountbatten-Windsor.

4. King Charles has three other Christian names – name two? No-one could provide Philip, Arthur or George.

5. e King’s siblings? Anne, Andrew and Edward. ree correctly identi ed Andrew.

6. What was the King’s mother’s name? Elizabeth. Four from four.

7. His father’s name? ree Henrys but wrong. One correct Philip.

8. Where was Prince Philip born? Corfu.

No right answers.

9. Why did the Queen wear brightlycoloured clothes in public? Not because she had a Hallensteins sta discount, but so her subjects could see and identify her. ree right answers.

9. What was the King’s wife’s full maiden name? Camilla Parker Bowles. One big collective groan and no right answers.

10. What was the full name of the

King’s rst wife?

Everyone knew Princess Diana but not the family name Spencer.

11. When was Queen Elizabeth crowned?

One said: “Ages ago I reckon” which is right.

Two others were also right with 1952.

12. No-one knew the King plays the cello, guitar, and piano. No points for trumpet, harp, violin.

Heavyweights weigh in before the debate...

On top of the world in their respective jobs – a bunch of local celebrities, businessfolk and politicians are shaking in their boots ahead of squaring o against their junior counterparts this month. Yes, Tauranga’s Great Debate is on next weekend – and promises to be a great night of argument- lled entertainment at Classic Flyers on Saturday, May 13, from 5pm.

DEBATE THE GREAT

e ght for the Rotary Cup will involve three teams of students facing o against three teams of adults – a political team, celebrity team and a local business team – at the charity event.

Proceeds from the night go towards promotion of debating among Bay of Plenty youth along with other Rotary charitable endeavours such as road safety education and the Spirit of NZ.

is year the Celebs team is made up of Judge Paul Geoghegan, Nick Danger eld and Dr Luke Bradford.

e celeb

Dr Luke admits he’s never been in a formal debate. How does he feel ahead of e Great Debate? “Well... I’ll do what I can to avoid ritual humiliation at the hands of the student debaters.”

Dr Luke is e Royal NZ College of General Practitioners’ new medical director. He’s a partner in the 5th Avenue Family Practice and a GP there. So does his health management bode him well? “My medical director role is quite public and press-facing.” So he’s con dent? “In terms of my ability of standing in front of 500 people talking –I’m not worried about that. But since I only found out last week a ‘moot’ is the name of the debate topic...so we’ll see how the rest goes....”

of professional services rms including as COO at both PwC and Bell Gully in NZ, business development director at Minter Ellison in Australia and heading business development teams for Linklaters in Hong Kong and London.

Won’t her impressive CV help? “Well, I’m hoping it will, but gosh – the debating rules are new to me. So that will be the hard thing – sticking within the rules – as I’m not used arguing within the rules.

“And that – I think – will be a challenge for all of the bizzos team.”

Her rst time in e Great debate, Cecilia is rather fresh. “No, only debating experience was in the old Form 2 – Year 8 – grade, so a little while ago.” Despite this Cecelia’s looking forward to it. “I am because it’s a very good cause – we were lucky enough to meet some of the students who won the BOP regional competition and they’re absolutely delightful – I think the night will be fun.”

e politico

Lastly, the Politicos team is ‘Sam, Cam and Jan’: Tauranga MP Sam U ndell, List MP Jan Tinetti and political candidate Cameron Luxton.

ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

e businesswoman

e 2023 bizzo team is Cecilia Burgess of Cooney Lees Morgan, Bay of Plenty Regional councillor Paula ompson and David Littlewood from Modern O ce.

WHAT

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Cecilia says the debate is “going to be challenging”. She is chief executive o cer at Tauranga law rm Cooney Lees Morgan, and has spent the majority of her career in management

Cameron’s rst Great Debate, he’s excited to be part of a community-run event that’s producing thinkers and leaders from the BOP. “ ese teens are accomplished debaters, they are all impressive in their own right – in a team, look out! We politicos are going to be under pressure to perform!” Will his skillset help? “I advocated for the community I belong to and the principles I believe in, that passion will be with me on-stage. is is a style of debate I haven’t yet had a chance to engage in...it o ers a great chance to think about a topic from an angle one might not yet agree with, and our country needs more of that.”

Get your tickets now: Time is now running out to buy tickets to e Great Debate, on Saturday, May 13, from 5pm at Classic Flyers. Buy individual tickets at: https://www.event nda. co.nz/2023/the-great-debate-in-the-bay/mt-maunganui or phone 0800 BUY TIX (289 849). For tables of nine, email: enquire.youthdevelopmentbop@gmail.com Or email: enquire.youthdevelopmentbop@gmail.com

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Dr Luke Bradford. Photo: supplied.

Cecilia Burgess. Photo: supplied. Cameron Luxton. Photo: supplied.

Kicking around memories from 50

years ago

“Who were the larrikins? I’m not sure I should tell who the larrikins were,” says Ron Murray. “We were all larrikins really; we’d all take the mickey out of one another.

“ ere were comedians that always made us laugh... and, of course, the quieter guys...they were the better footy players as they concentrated more on the game.” e game being soccer – the team being Tauranga Boys’ College’s 1973 First XI soccer squad.

Ron, one of 13 ‘boys’ still alive, has been working hard with teammates Keith Tempest, Don Good and Graham Ingall to reunite the team. is weekend will nally see 10 of the 14 lads come together at TBC for the 50th reunion. ey all went to school together –and had gained a triumphant reputation. e 1973 team in its regular competition played 11 games and won 11, scoring 52 goals and conceding 15.

On tour is had them in good spirits as they headed to a week-long national secondary schools’ soccer tournament in Christchurch from August 17-24, 1973. en they spent two weeks touring the South Island “in a bus our coach drove down from Tauranga”, returning home September 7, 1973.

Ron, from Auckland, can’t wait meet his old buddies again. “It’s 50 years since we were those long-haired soccer boys, and not running around on zimmerframes,” he jokes.

Ron says back then Christchurch was far to take a bunch of boys. It was their coach Tony Wilkinson – who’ll be at the reunion – who drove the tour bus with his wife and young baby son in tow. “We were sort of in the charge of the Wilkinson family and we just had a really interesting time. Our trip took in Wellington, before taking the ferry to Christchurch, Rangatira. Post-tournament, we toured Ashburton, Geraldine, Fairlie, Lake Pukaki, Oamaru, Palmerston, Dunedin, Milton, Balclutha, Gore, Lumsden, Te Anau,

Queenstown, Haast (Okuru), Franz Josef, Greymouth, Reefton, Murchison, Nelson, Picton, and Palmerston North,” recalls Ron.

“Part of our tour fundraising was picking and selling grapefruit – the back of the bus had large stocks of the fruit to keep our vitamin C levels up!”

Ron says 10 lads will attend the reunion – a dinner at TBC this Saturday, May 6, and a breakfast for players and partners the next morning. Ex-players attending are Colin Shannon, Don Good, Hans Meys, Stuart Atkins, Keith Tempest, Graeme Burton, Peter Moczydlowski, Cavin Goodman, Graham Ingall and Ron. Unable to attend is Lindsey Corby, Keith Black and Marty Carr.

Meeting up 50 years later is special because many have lost touch. “I had no idea how they’d ended up or what they were doing – so it’s taken a bit of time to track them down,” says Ron.

Terry Mitchell

Sadly, teammate Terry Mitchell died in a 1980s top-dressing plane accident. Ron and Terry grew up together at the Mount. “Terry went into the Air Training Corp...he and I ew to Great Barrier Island with mate Andy Graham in ’74 to go sur ng, with Terry the pilot. He was very capable. It broke our hearts when he died – he was such a lovely, funny guy.” Ron reckons there’ll be laughs and a few tears on the weekend. “ ere’ll be all manner of anecdotes –because we called into a lot of places... e guys will all have their own memories. We’ll have Chatham Housetype rules – so what goes on tour, stays on tour.” Standout memories? Ron recalls the beauty of the west coast – and the fun of getting around the towns. e comp? “ ings were tougher than back home. We won one game and lost two in the tournament; then won two games against teams that hadn’t made the playo s. Outside of Christchurch we played three games, drawing one and losing the others for a total tour record: Played: 8, Won: 3, Drew: 1, Lost: 4. Total goals: For: 18; Against: 17. Whew!”

TBC Old Boys Association’s Rob Leslie, 1973 coach Tony Wilkinson, player Graham Ingall and TBC Principal Andrew Turner. Photo: Brydie ompson.

e Tauranga Boys’ College 1973

First XI soccer squad. Photo: supplied.

Merle Cave

Join our team.

An understanding of safe work practises

A good level of physical fitness

• Flexibility to work extended hours, including weekends when needed, and night shift during our main packing season (Mar-Jun). We offer a competitive hourly rate based on skills and experience, and we guarantee no two days are the same!

If you’re looking to transfer your skills, take pride in optimising production, and want to join the fastest-growing Kiwifruit operation, apply today with a brief cover letter and CV to theresa.wilson@eastpack.co.nz

Applicants will need to be legally able to work in New Zealand.

Set actions for a better future

What is your impact on the planet?

FutureFit o ers a chance to discover your own carbon footprint by answering a few quick questions on your everyday decisions around food, transport, and home energy use.

Even a climate-conscious person like Tauranga City Council Corporate Planner Raj Naidu was surprised by his results when he recently gave FutureFit a go. “I had little to no expectation when using FutureFit because I always try to be as sustainable as possible in everything I do, such as composting, having a worm farm, recycling, and repurposing.

Surprise

“Imagine my surprise when the results came out based on my responses. My carbon footprint ranking came to 11.9t, whereas the NZ average is 7.7t and the world (OECD) gure is 10.8t.”

Visit www.future t.nz and you can also set actions and goals to assist in making small changes for a better future. e FutureFit target is to help Kiwis reach a carbon footprint of 5.3t by 2025. “I believe doing good for the environment is a lifelong learning journey and doesn’t stop with one thing, which is why FutureFit is another amazing tool in the toolbox to do right by the environment and leave a legacy for future generations like my 10-month old Noa to enjoy,” says Raj.

Set actions

Visit www.future t.nz to set actions for a better future. You’ll get to see other users’ carbon reductions on a national and regional level, and you’ll have the option to start your own team with friends and family.

Raj

Making sure that Bay of Plenty is a safe place to live, work and raise a family is a top priority for me.

To support this, we’re focused on putting in place practical solutions that work to keep people safe.

Last year New Zealand saw an unacceptable spike in ram raids and other retail crime. While those numbers are trending down, we need to continue to support Police to prevent crime and keep communities safe.

We recently announced we’re more than doubling investment

into the successful Retail Crime Prevention Fund. is will ensure retailers, like dairies, can continue to get support for practical security and safety measures, such as CCTV systems and strengthened glass.

We’re making sure Police have the tools and resources they need to do their job properly, and we’ve delivered NZ’s largest ever Police workforce. Here in the Bay of Plenty policing district, we’ve seen Police numbers increase by 19.6 per cent since 2017.

We recently announced changes to improve victims’ experiences and x some

Almost eight months to the day since the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this weekend will see her son, King Charles III, crowned as Monarch with his wife crowned as Queen Camilla.

Whatever your views on New Zealand’s ties to the monarchy, it’s an important occasion to have our new Head of State ascend to the throne with his o cial coronation this Saturday night (NZ time). Many of us have never seen a coronation, and for the rst time it’s to be televised live and in colour from Westminster Abbey. e pomp and pageantry of a royal event is always fascinating. e tradition, uniforms, jewels, carriages and the discipline of so many people carrying out their duties under enormous

real and immediate issues with the court system. ese include giving sexual assault victims more control in court processes around their name suppression and providing greater legal protections for victims, especially child victims, of sexual and serious violence.

We’ve also doubled the amount of investment for Victim Support and tripled the amount of investment into the Victim Assistance Scheme since coming into Government in 2017.

ese are real, tangible things that will change victims’ experiences for the better.

Keeping BOP safe with solutions that work A first coronation for many of us!

pressure. King Charles, his wife Queen Camilla and his family will be in the limelight like no other occasion.

It will be an incredible time to be in London, to experience the emotion, festivity, the range of events, array of souvenirs; but I’ll be watching it from New Zealand like most of us.

events, array of souvenirs; but I’ll be watching it

I’m pleased New Zealand will be represented by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon as Leader of the Opposition. ey’re part of a large entourage showing our country’s support of the occasion.

King Charles has visited NZ multiple times. I met his mother in 1995 on her State Visit and I’m looking forward to seeing the King on his next visit here; his rst as our Head of State. God Save the King!

ToddMullerMP

Substantial benefits from a community stadium

Tauranga had the privilege of last week hosting Te Waihanga – New Zealand’s Infrastructure Commission, an organisation that provides policy advice to central government.

eir board and executive presented a session on how to improve infrastructure in this region, providing regional leaders with the opportunity to discuss how NZ and the region can address our infrastructure de cit.

Sessions like this are crucial to gaining better visibility for the region and the signi cant infrastructure challenges here across transport, housing and community assets. I get the impression many government o cials in Wellington view the region as it was 20 years ago – a lot smaller and less signi cant to Aotearoa than it is now. It is important we gain more prominence for our region.

e session’s main themes were the importance of

separating national infrastructure planning from the political realm, and the crucial need for infrastructure planning to be thought about for the long term; one provocative statistic was Tauranga is the same size now as Auckland was 100 years ago.

Community stadium concept

In line with this theme of planning for the future, it’s important we consider future options for the city including social and cultural infrastructure. An example of potential community infrastructure is the boutique, multiuse, community stadium concept proposed for Tauranga Domain, which was presented via a preliminary business case last week for consideration by Tauranga City Council. Commissioners agreed with the direction and need for full public consultation on the preliminary stadium business case and asked for more information to further assess the project.

A concept that would enhance the city’s sporting infrastructure while providing additional uses such as an exhibition centre, space for concerts and festivals,

sports clubs, and a teaching space for the university, the ‘community stadium’ would retain public use, while providing more opportunities to hold events in the city.

Getting the size right for this type of development is important, and the proposed size of 7000 permanent seats with ability to ex up to 15,000 for a

big sports game would be a good t for Tauranga. e stadium could hold up to 25,000 people for concerts and more for festival-type events. It’d provide many more opportunities for community and cultural interaction than we have now and aligns well with CBD rejuvenation already underway. Read this in full at: www.sunlive.co.nz

RE: Politics with Sam U ndell.

I was led to believe that once a person was elected, they should represent the whole electorate. However, it would appear from Mr U ndell’s comments in his column in e Weekend Sun’s April 28 edition that it is only the deep blue constituents that matter to him.

If he is really in touch with his electorate and the wider Bay of Plenty, he would be aware that at the recent Mayoral Forum, every Bay of Plenty Regional, City and District Council leader voted unanimously to consider that the Bay of Plenty region be

early adopters in the ‘A ordable Water Reform programme’.

Pop your deep blue bubble! We’re all on the same Earthly bus!

In my opinion, the National “repeal” proposal, where every council will pay its own capital costs to become compliant with National Standards by July 1, 2024, would lead to forced amalgamation of the small rural councils in New Zealand.

Mr U ndell, with all due respect, I suggest you get outside your little bubble of deep blue constituent advisors if you want to see which way the wind is really blowing.

Garry Webber, Ōmokoroa

Caring is the name of the game!

When one looks at society some have more problems than others like losing a loved one, health going downhill. is is something we all forget about when we think of the big retirement day, when we can do what we want, but the esh says: ‘You gotta be kidding me’.

One of the worst situations is when one is alone. Loneliness can lead to much bigger problems health-wise and make life much harder with limited income. In Scotland they have this saying: ‘You gotta get oot the hoose’, which means just that in English and mix with others over a wee co ee or whatever with someone.

Now if one could have a day in Tauranga to go with friends once or twice a month at a good price to mingle, this could save a life for some elderly people on a limited income. Perhaps some organisations could come to the party as many have had the above as customers in past years? Growing older is on the cards for most of us. Would it be so terrible to provide a wee treat now and then for them?

Ron Chamberlain, Otumoetai

Reversal of climate change has to happen soon, Or Mother Earth will become just another moon, Just a round dry rock Dead and inert, Covered with dust and dirt.

Ps. Let us all look at the problem as we are all on the same Earthly bus.

Ken Jones, Katikati.

by Angie Warren-Clark MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

An artist’s impression of a multi-function facility.

Veterinary ultrasound

When physical examination and other testing is not de nitive, ultrasound can provide us with a diagnosis. In the veterinary world, ultrasound has become a lifesaving and readily accessible diagnostic tool for looking after our pet’s wellbeing. It is painless, safe, and minimally invasive. Ultrasound allows us to see through the fur, skin, and muscle and into the body, a bit like looking through a window.

ere are many situations when ultrasound is helpful. For example, the sad puppy which will not stop vomiting or the old dog which is losing weight. We might want to look at the kidneys and bladder of a cat or dog that is having trouble urinating or a patient with chronic diarrhoea. We reach for ultrasound anytime we hear a heart murmur or think we can feel a lump in the abdomen, whenever an animal is unwell, has a sore tummy and of course to detect pregnancy.

Little T-Rex needs TLC!

Meet Rex! Also known as T-Rex! is great little guy had a pretty rough start to life when found with a severe case of the u. With antibiotics and lots of TLC, his health has improved.

T-Rex is still not 100 per cent and possibly has some long-term side e ects, so his forever family will need to commit to his ongoing care. RRR will talk you through this. T-Rex’s siblings, which have the same issues, have all been adopted and are living their best lives.

T-Rex loves a cuddle and pats and

would make such a lovely addition to most families. Rex has been exposed to dogs and kids and is super comfortable around both. Reach out if you’re interested in meeting this resilient and loveable little guy.

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

Give Griffins and McVities a chance

Gri ns and McVities are about six months old. ey are a super cute duo who are looking for a home together.

Sweet little McVities relies on her big brother Gri ns to help her feel safe and secure. She’ll lounge about in the background and let Gri ns do all of the close-ups.

Gri ns is a super a ectionate boy. ey are both still kittens and love to play. Could you give a loving home to this special duo? As McVities is a little shy, they’re looking for a quiet, mature home. Ask to meet this pretty pair today! Call the Tauranga centre on: 07 5780245. Ref: 568469.

to

tauranga katikati te puna papamoa village

Tauranga Vets

Thank mum with flowers!

Show mum how much you love her this Mother’s day with the ultimate gift of appreciation – owers!

Lily’s Flower Crazy boutique orist and gift store is where love blooms – and owner-operators husband and wife, David and Lily, will happily help you nd an a ordable ower- lled gift for Mother’s day.

“We’ve got a ordable, lovely fresh owers for all types of mums,” says David. “Flowers are always the gift of joy, the gift of love.”

e oristry specialises in bouquets, fresh cut owers, indoor potted plants, arti cial owers and gifts. “We can just about get any ower at all,” says David.

“You’ll be spoilt with choice on what to gift your mum this Mother’s day!” However, David warns it’s best to get in early to avoid disappointment.

“If people pre-order then they’re guaranteed to get what they want for their loved one.”

Lily’s Flower Crazy is open 8.30am6pm Monday to Saturday at 1 Sharyn Place, Brook eld, and deliver anywhere in the North Island.

Stunning sculptures make for special gifts!

Looking to spoil mum? See Sam Steel. She imports hand-made sculptures from South Africa – and boy are they spectacular!

“ e aim is to make charming, creative sculptures of all sizes to sell at a ordable prices in New Zealand,” says Sam, who can show you her collection at her Pyes Pa home. She has nearly every type of metal sculpture you can think of – from birds, to animals, sh, ora, fauna, beautiful insects, creepy crawlies, to wall art – and of course, Kiwiana. ere’s large feature sculptures through to small garden pieces.

Sam designs the sculptures with her South African artists. “I try to come up with things to appeal to the

Bodywork

NZ market and they make me a prototype.”

Art of Outdoors charges wholesale prices direct to the public. “We’re not interested in making massive pro ts – for us, it’s about the volume of work we can generate for the team back in South Africa.” See their advert on this page.

Wayne Rush

Trish Rowe has been a orist for 32 years. Photo: Brydie ompson.

Sam Steel with one of her many stunning sculptures hand-made in South Africa. Photo: John Borren.

Cartilage loss from Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is all about loss of cartilage, subsequent in ammation and changes to bone and joint structure. e result is pain and loss of mobility. e ends of bones such as the femur are covered in tough, exible articular cartilage. It may surprise you that despite its tough appearance and texture, it is actually 80 per cent water that acts like a shock absorber.

the joint capsule that further damages cartilage. Eventually the bone itself becomes compromised and the net result is more pain and restricted mobility.

texture, it is actually 80 per cent water that

Cartilage is a combination of living cells, the matrix they produce, plus water. ese specialised cells are called chondrocytes and their job is to secrete and maintain cartilage. ey repair small amounts of damage as it occurs.

Osteoarthritis starts when chondrocyte cells die, causing cartilage to breakdown. While there are a number of things that can damage chondrocytes, in most cases these are a combination of free radical damage from insu cient antioxidants and biochemical changes caused by trauma to the joint. While the triggers vary, the outcome is chondrocyte death and cartilage loss. is is followed by unwanted in ammation in

Nutritional therapy can help, especially in reducing in ammation, slowing the rate of cartilage loss and improving the function of existing cartilage. For example, therapeutic levels, like 800-plus mg, of chondroitin can have signi cant e ects on the health of chondrocytes and therefore cartilage protection and repair. Glucosamine also helps maintain cartilage while Curcumin from turmeric helps reduce in ammation and uid accumulation.

An ex-builder contacted me two years ago with signi cant knee pain from advanced osteoarthritis. An orthopaedic specialist had recommended knee replacement. Two years on a personalised joint health programme and he now has very little pain and no longer needs surgery. For more information give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz Read my newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

Abundant

John Arts is a quali ed nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more, go to: www.sunlive.co.nz

Throwing fists for a good cause

ey’re stepping into the ring and packing the punches in an e ort to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer! ‘Fight the Fight’ is a charity boxing event on May 20 at Trustpower Arena, Baypark. Boxing coach Brendon Johnston wanted to create the show after a personal family experience. “A family member of mine’s child was diagnosed with a form of melanoma…they were telling people: ‘We were lost, we didn’t know what to do, or where to go or who to talk too’.”

Brendon says: “[ e] Child Cancer Foundation basically came in and took care of everything”.

As such Brendon will donate the event’s proceeds to the charity. “ ey [CCF] don’t get any government funding whatsoever. ey’re funded purely on the gratitude and kindness of everyday Kiwis...and I thought: ‘Whoa I’ve got to back that’.”

Fighting ready

Getting ready for the fundraiser, Brendon has been training local sportspeople and those keen to be budding amateur boxers in a 10-week boot camp. “To throw punches is simple, but learning how to defend yourself in di erent situations is what I’m trying to teach, and I’m giving them very practical training as far as what they’re going to experience just so they’re fully prepared.”

On the night, there will be

two three-minute rounds with a minute’s rest in between for each match, with intensity and adrenaline high. “A lot of people just stop breathing. You get absolutely gassed,” says Brendon. “I tell them ‘I don’t care whether you win or lose. If you lose that’s ne. We stick to our plan game plan as far as how we’re going to execute your ght’.”

Raise $10K

Brendon wants to raise “$10,000 minimum by the end of the night”. “I want people to come and enjoy the experience and be a part of it because it’s just such a great cause!”

‘Fight the ght’ is at Trustpower Arena Baypark on May 20 from 5pm. For tickets and information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com and search ‘Fight the ght’.

Skincare leading up to your wedding day

Today we’re talking about wedding skincare and makeup. As we all know, weddings are a special occasion, and it’s important to look and feel our best on this day.

Firstly, it’s essential to take care of our skin leading up to the wedding day. Make sure to stay hydrated, eat healthy, and establish a consistent skincare routine to achieve a clear, glowing complexion. A good combination of treatments and skincare products can make all the di erence in the lead up to the day.

When it comes to makeup, opt for makeup that is good for your skin like Jane Iredale skincare makeup, to ensure your look stays awless throughout the day. Consider a natural, timeless look that enhances your natural features and complements your wedding dress and overall aesthetic.

Kylie, one of our therapists, has been in the wedding makeup industry for 20 years, and can guide you through.

Remember, the key to great wedding skincare and makeup is to enhance your natural beauty and feel con dent and comfortable in your own skin.

Brendon Johnston has been getting local boxers ghting t to fundraise for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Revolutionising smiles with an innovative technique

A bright and con dent smile can work wonders for your self-esteem and leave a lasting impression on others. Advancements in dental technology have given rise to a minimally invasive solution: injection moulding for composite veneers. is innovative technique is transforming the eld of cosmetic dentistry, o ering a convenient and e ective way to enhance smiles without undergoing extensive procedures.

Injection moulding for composite veneers involves the application of a thin layer of toothcoloured resin onto the teeth, addressing aesthetic issues such as discoloration, chipped teeth, gaps, or irregular shapes. Unlike traditional veneer placement, which requires signi cant enamel removal, injection moulding preserves most of the natural tooth structure. is technique’s advantages extend beyond its minimally invasive nature. e process is e cient and convenient, often completed in a single dental visit. Unlike traditional veneers that need to be fabricated in a dental laboratory, composite veneers can be created and applied chairside, thanks to advanced moulding technology. is reduces treatment time but also eliminates the need for temporary veneers, ensuring a quicker and more seamless smile transformation.

It is worth noting that while injection moulding for composite veneers may be suitable for everyone, dentists carefully evaluate each patient’s oral health, aesthetic goals, and speci c dental conditions before recommending this procedure. In some cases, alternative treatments like porcelain veneers or orthodontics

Our behaviours and reactions...

“When you choose the behaviour, you choose the consequences”

– Linda Randall Wisdom.

I nd it depends on how I look at something as to how I react to it. If something upsets me and I pause and ask myself why I am feeling like this, it opens me up to more options – rather than immediately reacting. I can see the situation as either a detour that opens me to learning all I can from it, or a dead-

end that closes me o to anything bene cial that may come from this situation. Is there something you have reacted to recently you’re not happy with?

Can you still use it to discover what you might like to do di erently next time?

If you wish to know more about coaching, strengthening yourself or a relationship, or dealing with stress, phone Mary Parker, e Fast Track Coach, on 021 258 2145, or visit: www.thefasttrackcoach.co.nz

Sculpt

may be more appropriate. Consulting with an experienced cosmetic dentist is crucial to determine the best course of action.

e introduction of injection moulding for composite veneers has revolutionised cosmetic dentistry, providing a minimally invasive, convenient, and highly customisable solution for smile makeovers.

Examining Americana, and yet more gigs

Recently I’ve been wondering about this whole ‘Americana’ thing.

Last week I mentioned a couple of Americana duos coming through town. ere are many more. And it strikes me that of all the labels put to music, that’s about the worst of the bunch.

Here’s how I see it: nearly every form of music most people play are rooted in America. is is, of course, a generalisation but I’m happy to defend it. ere are exceptions. Of the more recent forms, punk – proper punk that is – and the new wave music that followed were certainly rooted in England. It’s also obvious that particular countries have particular musical styles. It’s not hard to guess, for instance, where Afrobeat came from.

But most of it is American. Jazz, blues, soul, reggae, rock ‘n’ roll, hiphop, country (and western), these are musical genres that originated in the States. Sure, there are strong regional

variations. Europe is the home of Gypsy jazz. But the jazz bit started in New Orleans (probably).

It’s those regional variations that make a di erence these days. We’ve just had a jazz festival here where artists gave a Kiwi interpretation of jazz. Some of it sounded just like American jazz but elsewhere acts introduced uniquely New Zealand attributes to the music, which can genuinely and proudly be referred to as ‘Kiwi Jazz’. e same is true of the blues of Darren Watson or country music from e Warratahs. It’s Kiwi music now.

American folk

But many, many places you go these days what you’ll nd, especially by smaller groups and duos, is American-based folk music.

And, confoundingly, that’s called Americana.

All it means is that its roots are in America as opposed to England.

e one type of music I neglected to mention earlier that did not originate

in America is folk music. Largely because it thrived in England (and elsewhere) before America existed. So it’s kinda predictable that Americans would want a special name for their own branch of folk music.

e problem is that name. Americana music itself is a broad-ranging mix of country, blues, folk and gospel, variations of which huge numbers of people all round the world play. But just as the term ‘Kiwiana’ really needs to involve New Zealand subject matter, so the implication is that Americana should be about America. But it isn’t. e description, like ‘blues’ or ‘jazz’, is of a musical style not of the subject matter. Despite that, wherever and whoever you are, if you play ‘Americana’ you are tarred with the brush of being an American imitator, simply because the term contains the word ‘American’. Today’s conundrum – what’s a new, less parochial word for this type of music?

Saturday sessions

A lot of this Americana can be heard down at Jack Dusty’s Ale House in Bureta. I don’t normally mention the regular gigs around town by covers acts but let me make an exception here due to the sheer volume of music that Jack Dusty’s presents.

ey are giving constant work to many a musician and that, in these hardened times, is nothing but a good thing.

e bar currently features live bands on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons and an open mic night on Wednesdays. From May they’ll be adding an extra session at 2pm on Saturday afternoons in their newly-built undercover ‘Front Bar’. e Saturday sessions start this weekend with Mike Garner & Robbie Laven – blues and Americana –and May also features Novak an Goode, Blarney Boys, H2O, Distraction, Tim Armstrong, Trevor Braunias and Jill Leighton, Piston Broke, Blaze, Native Poms, and Shabang. Good e ort!

After mentioning English singer Frank Turner in last week’s column I’ve been not exactly inundated, but at least asked a couple of times for updates. I have little to o er. Frank was in New Zealand last month supporting Counting Crows. e Crows cancelled at the last minute but Frank did a oneo solo show in Wellington and announced band gigs for later in the year. ose shows, in November, duly appeared on his website. A couple of weeks later they disappeared. ey are still missing. Apparently there have been promoter issues. ings will hopefully be sorted soon – expect further updates...

Frank Turner.

Drifting grand final ticket giveaway!

Western Bay of Plenty petrol-heads and drift fans wake up! e Valvoline D1NZ national drifting championships is hosting its Grand Final right here in Tauranga this month on May 12-13 at Trustpower Baypark.

e Valvoline D1NZ grand nal is the last of ve rounds of competition – and is set to happen at Baypark from 3pm on Friday, May 12 and from midday Saturday, May 13.

D1NZ is celebrating 20 years of drifting in New Zealand this year – so the competition is set to go out with

a bang, with a two-decade drifting showcase to bring special guests to Baypark, plus a huge reworks display, accompanying all the exciting action of the Pro & Pro Sport Class competitions. anks to Valvoline, e Weekend Sun has 15 double passes to give away to the Grand Final of the D1NZ National Drifting Championships at Baypark on May 12-13.

To be in to win a double pass, tell us where the Grand Final round of D1NZ is being held this month?

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. Entries must be received by Tuesday, May 9.

Student sopranos to sing!

singers

e Registered Music Teachers of Tauranga are supporting singers from e University of Waikato in a concert on May 12 at 6pm at Wesley Church – and they want bums on seats to enjoy the highquality tunes!

‘Journeys through Song’ will explore a wealth of vocal music from many lands with award-winning voices from the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music students with accomplished musician Francis Cowan at the piano. e six students to perform are sopranos Grace McCarthy-Sinclair, Jade Okey, Emma Jones and Angela Liu, mezzano soprano Lemauseafa SioLolesio, and baritone Faamanu FonotiFuimaono.

Grace is a nal year Bachelor of Music student, and was awarded the university’s Te Paewai O Te Rangi Academic three-year scholarship.

Beauty’. Angela completed a Bachelor of Music, and is now an honours student at Waikato.

BOP IRMTNZ chair Kathy Stewart says her non-pro t group has been working with the students after the Institute of Registered Music Teachers NZ BOP branch formed a relationship with Waikato University’s Music Department.

“ e singers are a very talented bunch – so buy your tickets early. Plus, there’s cash door tickets.”

‘Journeys

‘Journeys rough Song’ is 6pm Friday, May 12, at Wesley Church, 13th Ave, Tauranga. Purchase tickets from Kathy 0276691168 or Glenese 0274913386. Door sales cash only.

Journeys Through Song

Jade, 21, is a Bachelor of

Jade, 21, is a Bachelor of Music students with Honours specialising in Classical Voice. She’s been performing around the Waikato since age 13.

Lemauseafa, who grew up singing with choirs, is commencing an Honours degree in singing. Lemau placed rst in the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Waikato Aria Competition 2020, and attended the NZ Opera School 2021-2022.

Emma is a third-year BMus student and Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar. She’s entered vocal competitions since age ve.

Faamanu is a Samoan/Kiwi baritone who just completed his Honours degree in Classical Vocal Performance at Waikato. He toured with NZ Opera in Schools in March, playing roles in ‘ e Sleeping

Ben Jenkins displays maximum angle in qualifying at the last D1NZ round Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon at Fielding. Photo: Tayler Burke.

Angela Liu.

Faamanu FonotiFuimaono.

Emma Jones.

Grace McCarthySinclair.

Saturday 6 May

Accordion Music Group

Every 3rd Sunday of the month, Welcome Bay Hall, $4.00pp,14pm, afternoon tea supplied, everyone welcome for an afternoon of Evergreen music.

Ph Joy 027 285 3093

Association Croquet

Sat, Mon & Wed at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. 9.15am for 9.30am start. New players & visitors welcome. Ph Jacqui 07 574 9293

Bay Singles Social Group

Join a bunch of over 50’s young singles. Weekend dinners, pot-lucks, occasional outings. Have a go!

Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

Boules - Petanque Tauranga BOP Club, Tawa St, Mt Maunganui. Social and competitive play. Boules available.

Every Saturday 1pm, Tuesday 1pm

Thursday 11am. New players welcome. Ph Ray 027 756 3565

Concertina

Concert for accordion & orchestra. Featuring the World Premiere of “Introduction and Allegro”.

3.30pm at St John’s Church, corner Victoria / Ranolf Streets, Rotorua

Dance Dance

Te Puke Memorial Hall. Every 3rd Sat of the month. Sequence, ballroom varieties 7-10.30pm. Supper and band. Come and enjoy $7 entry. Valerie 573 7093

Katikati Bowling Club

8 Park Rd 1.45pm

Katikati Toy Library

Family-focused facility offering 600+ toys to loan to children zero-

10. Tues 6.30-8pm Weds 2.30-4pm Sat 9am-10am. Located behind the Christian Centre, Henry Rd, Katikati

St Stephen’s Jigsaw Library

Every Saturday 10am-12noon. Hire for 2 weeks a variety of 600 puzzles. Please wear masks. Cnr Brookfield & Highmore Trc.

Taijiquan and Qigong

Sat & Wed 9am. Free Taiji and Qigong group. Kulim Park on beach by big rock. All welcome. Ph Petro

021 751 665

Tauranga Farmers Market

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

10am-4pm. Flowering plants on display, advice from growers, plants and accessories for sale, cafe, free parking. Tauranga Racecourse, Greerton, Tauranga, $3 entry (under-12 free)

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club Indoor Bowls. Tauranga Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (behind Pac’n’sav).12.45pm Start. First time free. Phone Carol 022 639 2411

Tauranga Scottish Society

Sequence

Dance 4th Sat monthly Wesley Church Hall 100 13th Ave 7pm $7 incl raffles and supper. Come join us. All welcome. Ph Nola 5765076 Village Radio Museum

Community Radio broadcasting

nostalgic music & Community Notices seven days on 1368 KHz AM Band. Radio Museum open from 10am. Request line 571 3710

Sunday 7 May

Boules - PÃtanque Omanu PÃtanque keep active with a low impact sport play

Wednesday and Sunday at 1.30pm Bayfair Reserve Russley Dr Omanu PÃtanque 027 425 6072

Brain Watkins House Museum

Brain Watkins House Museum (est. 1881) on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Cameron Rd is open from 2pm - 4pm. $5 adult, children free

Car boot Sale

Otumoetai College

Carpark Windsor Rd

7.30am sellers, 8.00am buyers. $10 a space. Proceeds for Otumoetai Rotary projects. Details txt Bevan 027 461 2127

Concertina

Concert for accordion & orchestra. Featuring the World Premiere of “Introduction and Allegro”. 3pm Holy Trinity Church, Devonport Road

Farmers Market - Mount Mainstreet

Every Sunday 9am-1pm rain or shine! Te Papa o Nga Manu Porotakataka (Phoenix Park). www.mountmainstreet.nz

Golf Croquet

Sun, Tues, & Thurs at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. 8.30am for 9am start. New players & visitors welcome. Ph Nev 07 575 5121 Maketu Markets

Every 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month by Rotary Maketu. Maketu Rd Park Reserve 7am-12pm.

Friendly Market By the Sea. Enquiries Maureen 021 267 1685

Miniatures Club Tauranga

“Making it Small”

Meetings 2nd Sunday each month [Feb-Nov] 10am4pm. Arts and Crafts Centre, 177 Elizabeth St, Tauranga. Contact: Jan 07 542 0998

Papamoa Lions Club Market

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

Quakers in Tauranga

Invite you to explore your spiritual journey. Silent contemplation, companionship. Refreshments served. 10am-12 corner Cameron Road/Elizabeth Street. Behind Brain Watkins historical house. All welcome. Ph 022 409 1419 www.quakers.nz

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Sundays & Thursdays 1:003:30pm, at Pond behind 22 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Radio Controlled Yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419 Range Open Day

NZDA Range Open Day - Last Sunday of each month. 300m rifle range at the TECT Park, open from 9am to approx. 3pm. $50/ shooter

Tauranga Organ

Keyboard Society

Meets 1.30pm at Carmel Country Estate Social Centre, 11 Hollister Lane, Ohauiti, Tauranga. Play or listen to Organ, Clavinova, Piano. Contact Maureen 544 5013

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club 500(cards). Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (Behind Pac’n’Sav) 12.45pm Start. Come and join us. First time free. Ph Carol 022 639 241

The Day Out Markets

Held every Sunday at Bethlehem Town Centre. 9am-1pm. Market Stalls, Food Trucks, Lawn Games, Entertainment and More!

Monday 8 May

Alcoholics Anonymous

Open Meeting every Monday / Friday 10am,Tauranga Central Baptist Church.Corner Cameron Rd/ 13 Avenue All Welcome

Badminton Club, Aquinas College Tauranga Badminton Club, 7-9pm. Aquinas College Gymnasium. Seniors & Year 11 upwards welcome. Casual players $10pp. Club racquets available. Ph/Txt Noel 027 622 9797

Beginner Social Dance Group

Commencing Monday, 8 May, 7-8pm, Welcome Bay School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Rd. Ballroom/ Latin/Rock&Roll. Just come along on the night. Ph Sonia 027 322 1786

Bethlehem Indoor bowls

Bethlehem Hall. Names in by 6.45pm. Open to all bowlers, juniors welcome, more info

Ph Tom 022 532 5603

Chess at Mount Maunganui

Mount RSA Chess Club 544 Maunganui Rd, Mondays (excl public holidays). Early program

6.30-7pm Late program

7pm onwards. Casual Chess allowed. Search “Western BoP

Chess”

Craft & Chat

Come along with your craft projects, talk crafts, & learn a new skill. Every first Monday of the month. 94 Bureta Rd, Otumoetai. Email: communityactivities. otumoetai@waiapu.com

Dutch Friendly Support Network

Do you have a Dutch Connection?

Coffee morning (1st Monday of month) 10am-12noon. $4 entry.

Vintage Car Club Rooms, Cliff Road, Tauranga. Ph Bernadette 07 572 3968

English conversation classes

ESOL. Free English Conversation classes at Holy Trinity Church, 215 Devonport Rd. Every Monday during school term(except public holidays). 9.30-11.30am

Greerton Garden Club

Greerton Garden Club meets 2nd Monday each month at St. James Church Hall, Pooles Road, at 1pm. Visitors Welcome. Ph 562 8855

Indoor Bowls

Matua Primary School Hall at 7.15pm. New members welcome. Come and join us for a evening of fun and bowls. Ph Karen 576 0443

Katikati Bowling Club

Mixed 2 x 4 x2.

Reporting time 9.15am

Keep On Your Feet

Omokoroa 11am-12pm, Settlers Hall, 334 Omokoroa Rd. Strength & balance classes for older adults. All levels of fitness welcome.

Ph Sharnie 021 111 8617

Let’s Learn Something New

An A-Z of Clubs, Courses & Classes happening now. Find an activity, join & do it ! All ages. www.letslearn.nz or Ph 07 578 9416

Mahjong

Every Monday 12-30-4.00pm. Visitors and beginners welcome (Free teaching available). Tauranga South Mahjong. Ph Jill 027 4769 440 / 5430390

Papamoa Patchers

Patchwork and Quilting. Meets at St Andrews Church Hall, Corner Dee St and Ranch Rd, Mount Maunganui. For more information

Ph 021 188 5840

Pickleball Mt Maunganui

Mount Pickleball Club meets

Monday and Wednesday mornings at Mount Sports Centre or Baypark. Paddles and balls provided.

Calendar on Facebook.

Ph Bob 027 478 6282

Senior Net Technology Classes

Get the most from you phone, tablet, i pad, laptop, & more. Classes held at Historic Village.

Call 07 577 1912

Soul Station, Spiritual Hub

Papamoa Community Centre, Toroha rm regularly the 8th of each month. Week days 6.308.30pm. Weekend mini expo days 9.30am-2.30pm. $20 entry fee

Taoist Tai Chi Arts

Cultivating Stillness. New beginning classes Mon-Sat, Tauranga, Te Puke, Papamoa, Mt Maunganui, Katikati.

www.taoisttaichi.org for schedule. Ph Margie 02 150 0320

Tauranga Rock-n-Roll Club Inc

Beginner lessons from Monday 15th May. From 6.45–7.30pm followed by social/club dancing at 7.30pm. $35 for 6 week block course. Ph/text Julie 0278144092 to book

Tauranga Stamp Club Wesley Methodist Church, 100 Thirteenth Ave. 10am on the 2nd and 7.30pm on the 4th Monday of the month. All welcome. Ph Tony 07 549 5015 or Brian 07 576 5210

Tauranga Vision Friendship Club 4th Monday of each month. 10am Tauranga Citz Club 13th Ave. Visitors very welcome. Ph Sue 021 543 544

Yoga in Daily Life

Time out for YourSelf! Stretch, Strengthen, Recharge and Relax. Mondays 9.30-11am at Ohauiti Settlers Hall. 27 years teaching experience. For registration contact Asunta 021 061 4394, yogaindailylife@pl.net

Tuesday 9 May

Arataki Coastal Club Arataki Coastal Club. At Arataki Community Centre, Mt Maunganui. Second Tuesday of month 9.30am. Speakers, outings, dining, morning tea and more. Ph 572 2908

Boules at Bayfair

A new year, a new sport, try Petanque, Russley Drive Tues & Thurs 12.45. New members welcome Boules & tuition available Ph 021 175 9282 or just turn up Boules - Petanque

Tauranga BOP Club, Tawa St, Mt Maunganui. Social and competitive play. Boules available. Every Saturday 1pm, Tuesday 1pm Thursday 11am. New players welcome. Ph Ray 027 756 3565 CARDS 500

Mount Community Hall. 345 Maunganui Rd. Join a friendly group every Tuesday and Thursday 12.30-4pm. Afternoon tea provided. Inquiries to Margaret 027 658 6848

Inachord Women Singers

Join us for singing and fun. 7pm Bethlehem Community Church, 183 Moffat Rd. Musical Director Andrew Braid. Pippa 027 473 0185, Julie 021 0252 6805

Israeli Dancing Beginners class 6:30 -7:30pm, Gate Pa primary school hall, Cameron Rd. Circle & line dances, all ages welcome. Ph Maria 022 165 2114

Keep On Your Feet

Katikati Catholic Church Hall, 89 Beach Rd, 10.15-11.15am. Strength & balance classes for older adults. All levels of fitness welcome. Ph Sharnie 021 111 8617

Learn Salsa

Join us every Tuesday 7.30pm at Elizabeth St Community Hall, 169 Elizabeth St, Tauranga. For your FREE class go to getyourcubanon.com contact kate@getyourcubanon.com Ph 021 744 056

Olympic Style Shooting

7pm at the Tauranga Target Rifle Club range next to Legion hall in lower Elizabeth St. Gear and coaching provided Otumoetai Walking Group Meet at 9am at Kulim Park. Ph Danny 576 6480

Recycled Teenagers Gentle Exercise

St Mary’s church cnr Girven & Marlin. 9-10.30am Suitable for joint replacements,arthritics,recovery from accidents and illness. Strength, coordination & balance. Jennifer 027 206 0776, or 571 1411

THE WEEKEND SUN

Social Badminton

Shuttlecocks & Hens. Tues 9-11am, Fri 9.30-11.30am. All welcome. Tauranga Memorial Hall. Ph Lorraine 027 408 6211

Tauranga Acoustic Music Club

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

Tauranga Model Railway Club Club meets Tuesday 9.30am & Thursday 7.30pm. On the corner of Mirrielees & Cross Rds, Sulphur Point.

Ph Mike 021 939 233

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club

Indoor Bowls. Tauranga Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (behind Pac’n’sav).12.45pm Start. First time free. Phone Carol 022 639 2411

Te Puke Pipe Band Meets weekly 6-8pm

Te Puke Baptist Church, Station Rd Te Puke. Learner

Pipers and Drummers welcome. Free tuition provided. Ph Jo 021 052 6728

Yoga for All

Welcome Bay Community Centre, 6-7:30pm. Traditional, relaxing Yoga class. Beginners welcome. $130 for eleven weeks or $15 one class. Bring a mat. Info: Bhajan 07 929 7484

Wednesday 10 May

10 Pin Bowling

1pm at 10 Pin Tauranga,135 13th Ave. Mixed group play for fun but keep the score. Very occasionally competitive.

Ph Glenda 021 257 8678

A Course in Miracles

A teaching to experience inner peace and transform your thinking from fear to Love. Stuck in the past?

Free Internet forgiveness workshop at https://jenniferhadley.com/how-getover-it Text 021 0274 2502

Age Concern Walking Group

Meet at 10am. 10th Briscoes Chapel

St, fish & chip day. 17th

Lake View bus stop, the Lakes. 24th End of Stirling Gate, Beaumaris roundabout, Bethlehem.

31st Fergusson Park, Matua.

Ph Renee 07 576 6699

Avenues Friendship Club

1st Wednesday each month at 9.30am. Tauranga Citizens Club

170/13th Ave. Visitors very welcome

Ph 027 406 1846

Boules - PÃtanque

Omanu PÃtanque keep active with a low impact sport play Wednesday and Sunday at 1.30pm Bayfair Reserve

Russley Dr Omanu PÃtanque

Ph 027 425 6072

Cards 500

Our friendly group plays 500 from 1pm at St Thomas More Church, 17 Gloucester Rd Mt Maunganui. $4. Includes refreshments. Barbara 027 216 9066 or Bob 027 478 6282

Coffee/Conversation Group Te Puke

Age Concern Tauranga holds a friendly Coffee and Conversation

Group, Te Puke Citizens RSA, 179 Jellicoe Street, 10.30am - 12noon, cost $5pp. All Welcome Community Bible Study

Join us for CBS bible study The Books of Romans. Wed 7-9pm C3, 252 Otumoetai Rd. Call 021 225 5981

Fernland Spa Gentle Exercise

Gentle exercise in warm mineral water, no chlorine. Suitable for joint replacements, arthritics & recovery from accident or injury. Good for strength, coordination & balance. 027 206 0776 Jennifer 571 1411

Healing Rooms Prayer

Experience Gods healing touch, whether physical, emotional, spiritual. 1-3pm Every Wednesday. All welcome. No charge. Central Baptist Lounge. 640 Cameron Rd. www. healingrooms.co.nz 027 640 1263

Indoor Bowls Gate Pa

Greerton Community Hall. 10th

Champion Pairs 7pm names in book.

17th Club Night, Champion Pairs

playoff 7pm. 24th Elliotts Funeral Services Open Fours Tournament

10am names in book. 31st Club Night

7pm. Kevin 543 4044

Katikati Bowling Club

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

Marching for Leisure

A non-competitive activity for mature ladies. Fun, fitness and friendship. For Tauranga team’s practice and contact details please call Glenice Dando 027 489 8841

Pickleball at Night

Pickleball is fun and it’s at Tauranga Boys College 7-9pm Wednesday and Friday nights. Paddles and balls provided. $5.

Bob 027 478 6282

Scottish Country Dancing

Mt Maunganui Club, Club nights every Wednesday, 7pm, Mt Citizen’s - Community Hall, 345 Mt M Rd.

Beginner’s welcome, no partners needed. Lynne 021 140 7912

Geoffrey 544 0839

Steady As You Go

Age Concern exercise group, Bureta area, improve strength and balance

$2 Wednesdays 2-3pm except 1st Wednesdays. Ph Betty 07 570 3215

Taijiquan and Qigong

Sat & Wed 9am. Free Taiji and Qigong group.

Kulim Park on beach by big rock. All welcome.

Ph Petro 021 751 665

Tauranga Embroiderers’ Guild

Meets every Wednesday at Tauranga Rowing Club, Devonport Road 10am-2.30pm and 7-9pm.

Beginners very welcome. Contact

Pat McDonald 027 311 8876 / 576 4546

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club

Indoor Bowls. Tauranga

Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (behind Pac’n’sav).12.45pm Start.

First time free. Ph Carol 022 639 2411

Tauranga South Garden Club

First Wed of the month. Central Baptist Church hall cnr Cameron road and 13th Ave at 1pm. Visitors welcome. Ph Carmen 027 378 2248 Tennis Gate Pa

Come and join in Midweek Social Tennis 9am -12pm Wed & Fri mornings. coaching available. Great active activity. Ph Geoff 021 474 807 or just turn up Yoga, Private Classes

Feel uncomfortable in a group setting? Or have special needs? I can design a class to specifically suit your needs/capabilities.

Ph Asunta 021 061 4394

Thursday 11 May

Adult Social Ballroom/Latin Dance Free Introductory Beginner Dance Lesson Thursday 18th May, 7:30pm. Join us at Club Mt. Maunganui. Ph Dean Smith 021 230 3187 www.udance2.co.nz Just come along Book Club Come along with a book to review, and join us to talk books, and afternoon tea. Every first Thursday of the month at St Johns Anglican Church, 94 Bureta Rd, Otumoetai Boules at Bayfair

A new year, a new sport, try Petanque, Russley Drive Tues & Thurs 12.45. New members welcome Boules & tuition available Ph 021 175 9282 or just turn up Boules - Petanque

Tauranga BOP Club, Tawa St, Mt Maunganui. Social and competitive play. Boules available. Every Saturday 1pm, Tuesday 1pm Thursday 11am. New players welcome. Ph Ray 027 756 3565 CARDS 500

Mount Community Hall. 345 Maunganui Rd. Join a friendly group every Tuesday and Thursday 12.30-4pm. Afternoon tea provided. Inquiries to Margaret 027 658 6848

Coffee/Conversation GroupGreerton Age Concern Tauranga holds a friendly Coffee and Conversation Group, Greerton Senior Citizens Hall,

33 Maitland Street, 10.30am - 12noon, cost

$3pp. All Welcome

Indoor Bowls/Cards Mt Maunganui

Every Thursday from 1-3:30pm at Club Mount Maunganui. Come and join us for a fun social afternoon. Looking for new members. Afternoon tea provided.

Ph Russell 021 211 9205

Katikati Bowling Club

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

Keynotes Women’s Barbershop Chorus

Meet 7pm Wesley Hall, 100 13th Ave. New singers welcome, age no barrier. Enjoy 4-part harmony, fun and friendship. Ph Bernice 576 4848 Facebook Keynotes Inc.

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Sundays & Thursdays 1:00-3:30pm, at Pond behind 22 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Radio Controlled Yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Sunshine Sequence Dance Group

We welcome you all back to dancing. First night 2023 Thursday March 2nd, 7-9.30pm. St. John’s Church Hall, Bureta. $5pp includes supper. Enquiries Dawn 579 3040

Tauranga Model Railway Club Club meets Tuesday 9.30am & Thursday 7.30pm. On the corner of Mirrielees & Cross Rds, Sulphur Point. Ph Mike 021 939 233

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club 500(cards). Senior Citizens Hall 14 Norris St Tauranga. (Behind Pac’n’Sav) 12.45pm Start. Come and join us. First time free. Ph Carol 022 639 2411

Friday 12 May

Alcoholics Anonymous

Open Meeting every Monday /Friday 10am,Tauranga Central Baptist Church. Corner Cameron Rd/ 13 Avenue All Welcome

Family History / Genealogy

Interested in Family History, but need help? Volunteers at Papamoa Library 10am till noon last Friday of each month can help. Contact jenny 542 5243

Goblets Of Fire Exhibition

The Pot House Gallery (Historic Village, Tauranga) welcomes you to a group show of Pot House Potters. 12th May-10th June, 10am-3pm Monday-Sunday. Ph 07 571 3232 info@theincubator.co.nz

Katikati Bowling Club

Mixed roll up. Reporting time 1.45pm. Visitors welcome. Coaching available. Social activities commence at 4pm. Overeaters Anonymous

Is your eating affecting the way you, or someone else, live your life? Overeating, undereating - meet Tuesdays 7-8pm and Fridays 11-12pm. Ph 021 0236 3236 oa.org

Papamoa Seniors Indoor Bowls

Enjoyable afternoon with other Seniors whilst playing Indoor Bowls at Papamoa Sports Centre. Names in by 11.45, prizes $5 entrance

Pickleball at night

Pickleball is fun and it’s at Tauranga Boys College 7-9pm Wednesday and Friday nights. Paddles and balls provided. $5. Bob 027 478 6282

Pickleball in the morning

Pickleball is fun. Join us at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre 9am-midday. Paddles, balls and morning tea provided. $5. Bob 027 478 6282

Pinned Art Brooches Exhibition

The Incubator Gallery (Historic Village, Tauranga) welcomes you to a group show of creative art brooches. 12th May-10th June, 9.30am-4.30pm (Weekdays), 10am-3pm (Saturdays). Ph 07 571 3232 info@theincubator.co.nz

Social Badminton

Shuttlecocks & Hens. Tues 9-11am, Fri 9.30-11.30am. All welcome. Tauranga Memorial Hall. Ph Lorraine 027 408 6211

Tauranga Vision Club coffee group

2nd Friday of each month (unless public holiday). 10-12pm. Visitors and member very welcome Phone Sue 021 543 544 for venue

Tennis Gate Pa

Come and join in Midweek

Social Tennis 9am -12pm Wed & Fri mornings. coaching available. Great active activity. Ph Geoff 021 474 807 or just turn up

Taking care of your trees

If it’s got bark on it, Jim Lowe-Pattie and his team of arborists will deal to it!

A-Z Tree Services is a Bay of Plenty-owned and operated quali ed tree specialist. A-Z Tree Services’ owner of ve years, aborist Jim, says there is no job too big or small for the team to tackle. “We do anything to do with trees pretty much so cutting, planting, removing, trimming, anything sort of arboricultural.”

As a self-professed outdoorsy person, Jim knows his way around a tree. “I’ve been working with trees most of my life being on a farm and chopping them.” He says him and the team work

to professional standards and only use the best equipment. “We’ve got a high quality and friendly sta .”

“We’re based in the Bay of Plenty and can provide all of your tree needs within the region and beyond.” Get in touch with Jim today for a free quote!

A-Z Tree Services’ Jim Lowe-Pattie is here to help with all your tree needs. Photo: Brydie ompson.

bible digest

FOR EVERYONE BORN of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

curriculum vitae

CVs THAT STAND OUT. A C.V.

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

gardening ABLE GARDENER, experienced, e cient, knowledgeable,

highly quali ed. Maintenance, pruning, hedges, shrubs, roses; disease/pest control, lifestyle blocks, garden renovations; design & plant. Ph Tita 027 654 8781 or a/h 542 0120

HANDYMAN HOME & GARDEN SERVICES tree pruning, weeding, hedges, water blasting, home maintenance, fence painting at a ordable rates Ph Philip 027 655 4265 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 and White, Female, approximately 1 year old, Omokoroa. Ref 578116

FOUND Cat, Tortoiseshell, Female, approximately 1 year old, Mount Maunganui. Ref 578118

FOUND Cat, Tortoiseshell and White, Female, approximately 12 years old, Otumeotai. Ref 578263

FOUND Cat, Tabby, Female, approximately 2 years old Papamoa. Ref 578286

Greenpark School’s new Pou

FOUND Budgie, White and Blue, Male, approximately 2 years old, Tauranga. Ref 577848 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

BUILDER AVAILABLE repair maintenance, decks, pergolas, fences, all housing work. Ph Roger 022 121 3356

HANDYMAN, decks, fencing repairs, painting, water blasting, lawns, and odd jobs.

Free quotes Ph Rossco 027 270

3313

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 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. 3rd-6th

Sept 2023 Tranz-Alpine Express & West Coast. 23rd-28th Sept

2023 Springtime in Nelson. 27th-30th Oct 2033 Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden

Festival. 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.

Zealandier Tours – Mother’s Day lunch – Sunday 14th May – We have a special lunch arranged which includes a small gift for our mother’s day outing. Call us to book your seats today. Ph 572 4118

Zealandier Tours – Lumberjax Mini-golf – Thursday 25 May – No experience needed. Join us for some fun & laughter at Lumberjax, an indoor minigolf course. Call us to book your seats today. Ph 572 4118

Churches Active In Our Community

Let’s love all of our neighbours

Ōtanewainuku and Pūwhenua stand proud at Greenpark School’s gates, bringing the school’s people together.

Greenpark School gathered for the unveiling of the Pou at their Cameron Road entrance last week, receiving a special blessing by kaumatua Tamati Tata.

“In keeping with Māori tradition a Pou represents a pillar of light which allows the natural world and people to ourish and prosper,” says Greenpark School principal Gareth Scholes.

“We wanted our Pou whakaaro to re ect this while enhancing and linking the stories of Māuao and Taurikura, which our school values and houses are based on.”

e Pou have been in the making for the last 36 months, with the school working with Stu McDonald

and members of Ahipoutu Collective. “ ey designed, carved and painted our Pou. Stu was great, inviting a group of student leaders to learn more about the design and carving process and paint the pou,” says Gareth. He says e Pou – Ōtanewainuku and Pūwhenua – symbolise the importance of people coming together at their kura (school). “ e purakau (legends) of the pou tell the stories of Mauao and Taurikura and represent our four houses Ōtanewainuku, Pūwhenua, Waimapu and Kopurererua.” ese house groups help people connect within smaller groups and allow for stronger connections across the school, says Gareth. “Our tikanga values of Arohatanga, Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga are intricately incorporated within each pou.”

I’ve written about why I’m an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. Now I want to encourage all Christians to welcome the LGBTQIA+ community. One of the main teachings in Christianity is that humans are made in the image of God. Because of this, we have a responsibility to honour, love, and respect each person’s innate goodness. Christians are called to love their neighbours, and this includes everyone – regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind; and to love our neighbour as ourselves. He emphasised the importance of showing compassion and kindness to all,

especially those who are marginalised or oppressed.

Georgia Minkhorst

Christians should welcome the LGBTQIA+ community because it is consistent with Jesus’ teaching on love, compassion, and acceptance – which are at the heart of the Christian faith. e same principles apply to transgender people. ey face unique challenges and struggles, including discrimination, social stigma, and misunderstanding. Like all people, they’re created in the image of God and deserve dignity and respect. We have a responsibility to o er support, understanding, love, compassion, and acceptance, just like we would any other person. We can create welcoming, inclusive communities that a rm the worth and value of every person, regardless of their gender identity.

It’s important to

remember that being transgender is not a sin. We must seek to create a safe and supportive environment where our LGBTQIA+ friends can be themselves without fear of judgment or rejection.

BETH - EL

BETH - EL

la tyb

la tyb

SABBATH 10AM OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

SABBATH 10AM OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

021 768 043

021 768 043

ALL WELCOME SHALOM info@bethel.org.nz

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz

ALL WELCOME SHALOM info@bethel.org.nz

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz

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

Tauranga

Greenpark School’s principal Gareth Schole and students with the newlyunveiled Pou. Photo: Georgia Minkhorst.

Reverend John Carr, Wesley Methodist.