The Weekend Sun - 19 May 2023

Keeping wheels turning

It’s an old adage but it’s still applicable to Lex Spencer and his good work.

“Like a stone thrown into a pond, a good deed can create ripples that extend far beyond that first splash”

Tha’s what happens when the 84-year-old

fies and refurbishes old bikes in his ‘Cranky Old Bastard’s Shed’ in Maungatapu, which are then gifted to charity shops to sell on. That bik Lex repaired will probably give someone, or some people, years of service, years of journeys and years of experiences and enjoyment.

This eek Lex has notched up fixing a total o 1000 bikes. “Tha’s it,” he says, pointing to the red bike. Number 1000, is still on the stand. One thousand bikes in 10 years. “I suppose it’s something to be proud of,” says Lex. He’s a man who has to be doing stuff. And

man with a lifelong fascination for bikes and biking – apart from a 50-year enforced standdown period during which he never climbed on a bike. Lex explains his love of bikes and ‘giving’ in his story on page 7.

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Photo: John Borren.

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

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

Photography: John Borren. Publications Manager: Kathy Sellars. Advertising: Jo Delicata, Karlene Sherris, Suzy King, Lois Natta, Sharon Eyres, Sophie Main, Taylor Lehman Design Studio: Kym Johnson, Kerri Wheeler, Amy Bennie, Caitlin Burns. O˜ ce: Angela Speer, Felicity Alquist

Naysayer central – k˛o!

No! Nuh! Nein!

Should we rename Tauranga

‘NO-ranga’? Because ‘No’ is the inevitable howl that goes up to anything that might signal change, that might make this city even more dynamic. K˛o! No! Nuh! Nein! First the museum, now the stadium. It’s the danger of putting stu˜ out for consultation, inviting opinion and objection; the danger of giving carping naysayers a platform. It gives them breath, a chance to say ‘NO’ to anything and everything – and nothing gets done. So progress strangled by self-interest.

Up the ante

I got that attitude sprayed in my face the other night. Some ex-farming money was sitting opposite me at a dinner party when I suggested a city of 158,300 people needed and deserved a decent wraparound, purpose-built sports stadium. Preferably with a roof. And preferably at the Tauranga Domain. Not too much to ask for – we boast the country’s busiest port and we’re a star performer when it comes to regional economic growth. Up the ante – chuck in a new basketball stadium cos that’s the game of the future. Futureproof, because basketball is ˝ ying – second most played secondary school sport in the country. I watched the blood surge over his collar. And he shot my ‘put it out there and see’ suggestion down in a shower of spittle, particles of tiramisu desert and outrage.

I could see Super Rugby being played at a new stadium, the Black Ferns, Phoenix, All Whites, Warriors, rock concerts. All Mr Naysayer could see was another zero on his rates demand. ˙ e expletives and asterisks ˝ ew.

“If you want to go to a ****ing stadium go to Hamilton.” More saliva and tiramisu. Doesn’t he want to give his grandchildren a reason to stay in No-ranga?

“If you want to go to a ****ing concert, go to Auckland. Cos I’m not ****ing

paying for your highfalutin ideas.” So is he happy to see wads of Tauranga cash disappear out of town, get spent elsewhere?

He didn’t want to discuss, he just wanted to vent. “Discussion, understanding and compromise is what we need,” o˜ ered the Doe with measured wisdom. “It’s not about getting what you want, or don’t want, but what the city needs. However it’s always the loud complainers – not the vast quiet majority – that get heard.”

Mr Nayser and I didn’t swap cards.

a public conservancy, with 42 million visitors a year. It has soccer ÿ elds, carousel, skating rinks, zoo, gardens, monuments, and concert and theatre venues, 18,000 trees and 200 bird species. So a stadium wouldn’t be out of place. ‘No-ranga Domain’ doesn’t compare. It’s a sports ÿ elds – mud and grass. And it’s screaming for development at any level. Critics liken it to “paving paradise” – a reference to carparking. My dictionary tells me ‘paradise’ is “heaven and ultimate abode of the just” or an “ideal or idyllic place”.

And he didn’t invite me out ÿ shing on his $550,000 14-metre game-rigged cruiser with teak cockpit and American ash and leather interior. He’s ocean-going and not into stadium sports. Probably never been through a turnstile and I’m a landlubber – if I want ÿ sh, I go to Bobby’s. Never the twain shall meet. ˙ ank God for Commissioners who can see beyond partisan politics and still get stu˜ , like a ‘People’s Stadium’, done.

Emotive language

˙ ere’s also been other emotive language ˝ oated by stadium interest groups. Like ‘extinction notices’ for sports clubs. Probably over-stating it. Relocation doesn’t necessarily mean extinction.

Like “you wouldn’t put a stadium in Central Park”. Central Park is designated 340 hectare National Historic landscape,

Curious, I wandered up to paradise at the weekend for a nosey. It was quiet – deathly quiet. Even the homeless amongst the trees had abandoned their tents for the afternoon. ‘Paradise’ was as exciting as a rolling maul, the resetting of a scrum or a half-time interview. At best sad, at worst inadequate; a sorry statement on a city that promises so much. A young female discus thrower was training – putting in a lonely pitch for athletic clubs that want to stay at the domain. But hang on...what about those loud, red, deÿ ant banners around the Croquet Club? “Hands o˜ Tauranga Domain” they shouted at me. ˙ at smacks of attitude. Just 75 members and dictating to the rest of us. But I read somewhere croquet players are a feisty lot, using words like ‘evil’, ‘painful’, ‘devastating’ and ‘lethal’ to describe rivals and tactics in a game which otherwise appears as docile and e˜ ortless as snooker played on a lawn. Moment later “thwack”, then another “thwack”. ˙ ere were a dozen or so croquet players, on a cold, grey Sunday afternoon with their hands ÿ rmly gripped on the No-ranga Domain. “Come and join us,” they called out to me. “It’s harder than it looks.” ˙ wack! ˙ ey may have changed my mind, at least about croquet. Might give it a crack even if they are heaved from their piece of paradise. “˙ wack” to that.

Email: hunter@thesun.co.nz

London

urged that New York needed

Community views on the Wairoa cycleway

that are not being addressed but that’s more of the technical side.”

For the cycleway section beneath the bridge, Shane says: “ˆ ey’re going to have problems with the sharp hairpins going underneath the bridge at 90 degrees. From the E-Bikes’ perspective ripping down there, they’re going to have to be very, very careful because collisions can and will most likely happen doing a hairpin U-turn”.

ˆ e Sun asked TCC if it thinks this project is the safest design for cyclists. “Yes, this is the safest design considering the limitations of available space and the fact that, at peak times, there are over 2000 vehicles per hour using this stretch of road,” says Brendan.

“Going up SH2 on the northern side of the road has more hazards for cyclists and vehicles due to width constraints to accommodate a cycleway and visibility issues than the Taniwha Rd side.”

Completion of roadworks will see the speed limit in this area reduce. “ˆ e speed reduction from 80km/hr to 50km/hr heading into the city will now occur on the bridge instead of 500 metres up the hill towards Bethlehem –signalling this is no longer a stretch of ‘country road’ but a busy urban environment,” says Brendan.

Cheryl has no objection to this “because I actually feel sorry for the people in Taniwha Place trying to get in and out of there in peak-hour tra˝ c”. Yet she feels there’s a lack of democracy surrounding this project. “You feel as though there’s all this push for cyclists and you know you look at Cameron Rd, it’s the same thing, and it’s almost like its bureaucratic. ˆ ey are trying to force you to either use public transport or ride a bike.”

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

A new cycleway is under construction to wind beneath Wairoa Bridge on State Highway 2. Western Bay of Plenty motorists are furious it’s being put in place – and some cyclists admit they won’t even use it.

Works began this month to complete the last 800m of the ˜mokoroa to Tauranga cycleway, creating a designated space for cycling along SH2 between the Wairoa Bridge and Bethlehem.

O° -road construction works are creating an underpass from the Wairoa River clip-on bridge that will lead to an on-road, two-way cycleway that crosses at Taniwha Place and continues along SH2 to a signalised crossing connecting to Carmichael Rd.

Frustrations and use

Motorist Cheryl Southorn, who travels into Tauranga from Whakam˛rama, is frustrated the project is causing tra˝ c delays and calls the cycleway “stupid”.

“We’re going to get held up again. Tra˝ c is going to bank up, and that’s providing people do use it.

“How many people are going to actually use it?” asks Cheryl. “You ask anybody on that road – you see very few cyclists at all and to put that loop, then put them under the bridge, and up the other side is just

absolutely ridiculous.” Tauranga City Council director of transport Brendan Bisley says council has “no reservations about the impact of the cycleway design on tra˝ c ˙ ow for motorists”. “ˆ e most important factor in council decision-making is safety for all road users. ˆ e signalised pedestrian crossing [which cyclists will use] was always intended to be put in place to allow for increased pedestrian ˙ ow at the northern end of Bethlehem and this crossing will have no additional impact on tra˝ c ˙ ow than the other two signalised crossings on this stretch of State Highway.”

Cyclist and Bike Tauranga founder Shane Plummer says the cycleway will provide the only safe way to get to the other side of the Wairoa Bridge.

However he admits fast-commuting cyclists will still go over Wairoa Bridge and avoid the cycleway underpass to save time. “If I was mountain biking , I’d hit the pedestrian crossing [o° Carmichael Rd] then go over the bridge before the cars will catch me…so a lot of people will just go over the bridge who are the fast, more conÿ dent riders and a lot of retirees ripping around on 30km/h E-Bikes.”

Safety concerns

Shane says the cycleway design “is what it is”. “ˆ ere’s a lot of challenges around it and it’s not 100 per cent practical. Some of the plans have got huge safety risks

Cyclist Shane Plummer says the cycleway design is not 100 per cent practical.

Photo: John Borren.

The power of trading paintings

˜ e pupils at Te Kura o Manunui in Brookÿ eld are quite savvy about China.

School leaders Devon, Ryley, Caleb, Chanel, Te Ariki, Paikea, Shaylah and Kaleb – that’s them in the photo – will tell you Chinese colours have meanings. Not many of us know that.

˜ ey’ll also tell you the lucky colour in one of the world’s largest and most populated countries is red and that each year has a name, like Year of the Rat. “Chinese people love dumplings,” the kids said in a collective message to ˜ e Weekend Sun. “And so do we.”

˜ e dumplings sealed the deal.

˜ ey like that commonality with their Chinese counterparts, they like building global bridges and friendships. “We even learned Mandarin from a Chinese tutor. We know lots of words already.”

˜ e New Zealand China Friendship Society is further assisting the process with its primary school art exchange. One image sent to NZ from Jiangxi Province, in the east of the People’s Republic, shows Chinese, Maori and Pakeha children, arms entwined, sitting over China and New Zealand ˛ ags and surrounded by images of animals, pagodas, buildings, space travel and high speed trains. It’s a pictorial blend of two cultures.

Learn

“It’s a cool experience to learn about other cultures and how they live,” say the kids. Te Kura o Manunui, formerly Brookÿ eld School, will be reciprocating – submitting their own work, their own respect and understanding, to the art competition. Selected works will be sent back to the children at the Chinese school.

˜ e Friendship Society is this year launching a Tauranga secondary schools art competition with a $100 prize for each of ÿ ve categories. “I know teachers are busy but you just have to give students a sheet paper and let them go,” says John Hodgson of the Friendship Society.

˜ e categories include a head and shoulders portrait of peacemaker, activist, writer and bridge

builder Rewi Alley, NZ’s greatest ever connection with mainland China, and a sketch and painting of Alley at work. ˜ e other categories are calligraphy of a chenyu.

“It’s a four character poem,” explains John. ˜ ey have to use some English, explain what it means and why they chose it. ˜ e ÿ fth category is an art work, in any media, depicting NZ-China friendship. “It is helping create understanding,” says John. “˜ ey will research their work and gain knowledge. And with knowledge comes understanding.”

A ÿ rst-hand experience?

˜ e society is also looking to create a ÿ rst-hand experience – a 10 or 12-day exchange trip to China for a dozen students.

“We are looking to take traditional Maori culture to China – I’d like a group that would give young Chinese a good understanding.”

And some contemporary Kiwi culture. “Perhaps touch rugby, mixed teams from both countries playing touch. Just an idea.”

Meanwhile the team at Brookÿ eld is still thirsting for knowledge on China. “We’d like to know more because one day we too might travel there.” Schools interested in being involved, or for more information, call John Hodgson on 027 284 9738.

Hunter Wells

Avocado association CEO Jen Scoular resigns

NZ Avocado Growers’ Association CEO Jen Scoular has resigned after 12 years in the role.

NZAGA chair Linda Flegg says Jen has served the industry and growers tirelessly “and her achievements along the

way are many”. “Under her leadership industry value has increased from $82m in 2011-2012 to $231m in 2021, and the New Zealand market value from $19m to $62m in 2021-2022.

“During her tenure

the industry successfully achieved market access for avocados into both the China and India market, joined the biosecurity partnership with the Government and achieved the ÿ rst horticulture primary growth partnership in 2014, which ÿ nished December 2022.”

Jen remains CEO to mid-August and will take the opportunity to farewell some of the 1400 avocados growers across growing regions. Jen remains an avocado grower and NZAGA member.

Linda says on behalf of the board, growers and industry parties “we thank Jen for her commitment to delivering value to growers through a very strong growth period, and growing the visibility of our sector, and of avocados, both in NZ and globally.

She has left a legacy that will require some big shoes to ÿ ll.”

Brookÿ eld school leaders Devon Tilakaratne, Ryley Suri, Caleb Samuels (behind), Chanel PalmerKing, Te Ariki Hutchins, Paekia Dawson, Shaylah Simeon and Kaleb Lily with their artworks and John Hodgson of the Friendship Society. Photo: Brydie ˜ ompson.

More funding now crucial

It is Hospice Awareness Week – and Richard ˜ urlow wants to raise awareness of how dire straits the funding level is for hospices like our own in the Western Bay of Plenty. “We are drastically short of funding now. We’re getting to the point where we really need some movement on the low redress for the growth we’re seeing in our area,” says the Waipuna Hospice chief executive o° cer.

Richard says Waipuna Hospice is facing pressure from wage increases “because we’re trying to keep parity with our colleagues in the Te Whatu Ora arena”. “˜ is includes nurses but also social workers and all allied health workers.”

Richard says this ÿ nancial year Waipuna Hospice has to raise $7.5 million “just to stand still”. “˜ is is simply to keep doing what we’re doing while we’re seeing a signiÿ cant uptick of referral numbers.”

Patient increase

According to Waipuna Hospice statistics, in 2019 about 850 patients were seen in a year. “˜ is year this number will be just over 1000 patients,” says Richard. “And the change we’re seeing with our patients is they’re acutely unwell when we receive them. Our patients tend to go into crisis cycles and tend to dip – and I worry diagnosis is possibly taking a bit longer than it used to as well. So we’re seeing sicker patients –and more highly complex. ˜ ey’ve got more than one condition – called co-morbidity – that is life-limiting which makes the care we give more complex.

“We’re also seeing higher social needs. With a costof-living crisis in play, it’s a perfect storm for families unfortunately.”

Plus Richard has suspicions a Covid unwind is happening “and access to healthcare professionals is biting into this”. “˜ is is putting more and more pressure on a service that’s at the end of the chain. You know, there’s no-one else we can pass cases to – we still have to say ‘Yes’, and we will for as long as we can.

“Yet we’re less than 50 per cent funded [by the Government] – and it’s getting to a point of almost having to be dramatical in any concept we have with the media to say: ‘We need funding’.”

Richard also believes it’s a bit rude to keep asking the WBOP community for more and more. “We’ve tried to help ourselves over the years. We have some fantastic second-hand shops that work amazingly hard for us... but the fundraising sphere is very competitive.”

During Covid-19 lockdowns hospices were deemed an essential service, says Richard. “But we’re not essentially funded. ˜ at is where it really feels unfair.”

Richard admits the whole health sector is under pressure. “We’ve got a shortage of specialist trained sta˝ in all areas – this just puts more and more pressure on an area that is about to break I would say.

Crisis

“We’re not allowed to use the ‘crisis’ word – but sorry it is. We’re trying to keep a well-resourced level of service intact for our patients and families but it’s getting harder and harder to ÿ nd skilled and trained specialist sta˝ . We’re forever getting mutual poaching between Te Whatu Ora and us.”

Richard says with a General Election looming, there’s opportunity for improvement. “For as long as I’ve been Waipuna Hospice CEO – 15 years – we’ve been saying to governments of both colours that we need more funding. On the whole, the Government agrees that we need to be 70 per cent funded – but when we’re 50 per cent funded, they’re really not meeting their promises and we need to have some redress –and pretty soon. Because I know hospices around the country are in a world of pain.

“Perish the thought that we’d have to think about trimming some sort of service to our community.

“We just want to raise that awareness this week. It’s got to the point of ‘I’ve said this every for 15 years –why am I still saying it?’”

To ÿ nd out more, or support Waipuna Hospice, see their advert on page 15 of this edition.

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

Waipuna Hospice CEO Richard ˜ urlow says government funding for hospices needs to be lifted to 70 per cent urgently. Photo: John Borren.

A musical ‘tug of war’

She’s been singing for as long as she can remember – now she’s released her very own song titled ‘Tug of War’. Tauranga 16-year-old Venice Harris has already had a pretty full-on musical life. At age six she was jet-setting across the country and the world, singing, acting and dancing in musical theatre shows.

Forever

“I can’t really remember not singing. I’ve been singing like forever,” says Venice. Her musical theatre stint has seen her perform in world class shows such as ‘Annie’, ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘˜ e Sound of Music. But these days, Venice is stepping away from the stage and into the recording studio. “I’d done so much musical

Whakahou

Taketake

VitalUpdate

theatre throughout my whole childhood so I wanted to do more of my own stu° .”

Working with New York-based producers Johnny Cummings and Sam Polizzi, Venice co-wrote her song ‘Tug of War’.

“It took a couple weeks to ÿ nish writing it and then it took a while to get the whole sound and mix, the backing track, then recording it.”

Using Zoom online, Venice says: “We had to set up a good time that he’d be awake [in NY] and I’d be awake at the same time so that we’d have a long enough period of time to record the song”.

Venice says people who enjoy songs that are “a bit more dramatic” will like ‘Tug of War’.

“I think the songs that I prefer singing are very acoustic, not super upbeat songs I guess. I wanted to write something that

could relate to a lot of di° erent things; like it can relate to peoples’ relationships and it can relate to your own self.”

Another song

Venice says a many school friends were shocked to ÿ nd out she was putting out a song. “A couple of my friends at school didn’t actually know I was releasing a song and then when I posted on my Instagram...they were all like: ‘What? ˜ at’s crazy!’

“˜ ey’ve all said it’s awesome and they love listening to it, so that’s really good. I think it’s kind of di° erent. It’s not the everyday stu° you hear on the radio, so I hope people listen to it and they enjoy it and want to keep listening.”

Venice plans to release another song in autumn.

See yourself in your city

Whakahou Taketake Vital Update – Tauranga is a chance to get to know you better so our city can grow with you.

Take the survey now and be in to win some great prizes*

www.tauranga.govt.nz/vitalupdate2023

*Terms and conditions apply.

Georgia Minkhorst

Tauranga 16-year-old Venice Harris has released her song ‘Tug of War’ on Spotify. Photo: Supplied.

About bikes and bits and charity

…..998, 999, 1000 –hallelujah!! ˜ at’s 1000 bicycles patched up, ° ashed up and back in full working order. A break pad here, a new tyre there.

˜ e 1000 bikes also mean 10 years of tinkering and pottering in Lex Spencer’s ‘Cranky Old Bastard’s Shed’ in Maungatapu. Lex is a man born to be busy, he loves bikes passionately and has time on his hands. It’s also meant a tidy money-spinner for Waipuna Hospice, which ° ick on Lex’s handiwork at their charity shops. At 1000 bikes – they all add up.

Beryl’s fault!

“It’s Beryl’s fault,” says Lex. Beryl is Lex’s wife. He had some little bikes from his days with the Kids Can Ride programme. “I would slap on a new break pad or pump

up a tyre, so a kid could ride safely to school.”

Beryl o˛ ered the bikes to the hospice shop. She reassured them they were good to go because her husband had seen to it personally. And he knows his bikes, his seat posts from his cranksets and spokes. ˜ at’s when Lex started ÿ xing bikes for charity – one in just under every two days for the last decade.

˜ e reason he knows is because he’s chalked up his progress on a blackboard in his shed – for example, 63 in 2014, 98 in 2016, 218 in 2022 etc. And number 1000 is coming o˛ the production line as we speak. He delightfully understates it. “Mmmm – spose it’s something to be proud of.”

And there’s no indication he’ll stop. “I could stop tomorrow if I wanted. But I don’t have to.”

˜ is is a man with one shed chocka to the rafters and beyond with bicycles and bicycle bits, another shed full of bicycles, another room with half a dozen

bicycles, including a Tour de France Paris road bike – a most unusual looking machine – and a property dotted with garden art he’s made from bicycle bits.

Not obsessive!

“No, no, I wouldn’t say I was obsessive,” says the 84-year-old, fresh in from a 40km romp with his cycling mates. He appeared mildly o˛ ended at the suggestion. “I have also got my vege garden, and my daughter’s vege garden.”

Back in ‘˜ e Cranky Old Bastard’s Shed’ there are helmets, wheels, handlebars, tyres and tubes and other bike stu˛ . “I never have to go to the shop if I’m looking for a bit.” He just has to ÿ nd it, or cannibalise it. And the boxes and drawers – all carefully categorised so he knows exactly where his clamps, ball bearings, gear cables, brake parts, wheel hubs and axles and derailleurs are. *Read this story in full at: www.sunlive.co.nz

Care | Location | Style

Pacific Coast Village is known for unprecedented resort-style facilities rarely seen in New Zealand. The Pacific Coast Care Centre - Te Manaaki is a continuation of this considered design. Crafted to provide residents with a sense of luxury and security in their latter years. The Care Centre is a modern facility with 58 highly appointed care suites over two levels, offering rest home and hospital level care.

Lex Spencer right at home amongst bikes and bike bits in his Maungatapu shed.

Photo: John Borren.

Hunter Wells

Keeping the stories alive

“We dug our trenches behind rocky ground covered with ferns and bushes. Early next morning we jumped out to see gliders and bombers coming in from the sea. Paratroops ÿ lled the sky, the troops on the ground ÿ ring at them as they ° oated down.”

˛ is is Tauranga’s Alf Watt, ‘Wattie’ to his mates, writing home during World War II. It was the morning of May 20, 1941. ˛ e battle for Crete had just begun. “Gradually the enemy came our way. ˛ e place was littered with dead and wounded. We really haven’t been trained for hand-to-hand ÿ ghting, but I had to use my bayonet to save my own skin.”

Twelve brutal days as New Zealand forces helped try repel a massive German airborne assault. And when it was over, the Allies had su˝ ered a humiliating defeat. Of the 7700 New Zealand soldiers on Crete, 671 were killed, another 2000 were taken prisoner and the rest were either evacuated or ° ed into the surrounding mountain villages.

Almost 82 years on

And this Sunday, May 21 – almost 82 years to the day after the bloodshed, David Watt – that’s the late Alf ‘Wattie’ Watt’s son, will be at the Mount Maunganui RSA for the New Zealand Battle of Crete Association’s 82nd Commemoration service. He will honour, remember and be thankful.

“Like a lot of kids, as we grew up, we just blocked our ears to Dad’s war stories – we thought that was all before our time. I didn’t show a skerrick of interest. And after my father died, I realised I had questions that wouldn’t be answered.” ˛ en later in life, as David says, we kick ourselves.

“Why should they do that? I wasn’t even born. But our forefathers left a special mark on those people. We shouldn’t forget it. ˛ e stories must live on.”

And with the association providing the platform, and the commemorations, that might just happen.

David recalls walking into a village hall on Crete and there was a display of children’s projects on the invasion.

“˛ e lesson is still being taught – unbelievable.”

˛ ere were kids’ drawings of Cretan people armed with pitchforks and rocks ready to defend themselves against the full might of the Nazi war machine. “˛ ey are still living it today.”

Fall in love with Lotus!

Everyone in the SPCA shelter loves Lotus. She came to us a while ago and we’re desperate to ÿ nd her a home that she deserves.

Lotus is a chatty girl with a huge heart. Lotus could be a great ÿ t for most families; she’ll suit a chilled out home or would be equally well in a

David felt he couldn’t return home and blank it out. “Or do I try to contribute something from this end?”

home bustling with activity. Aged six months she’d love a family where she can get lots of attention. Apply to meet her today! Call the Tauranga centre on: 07 5780245. Ref no: 575737.

attention. Apply Tauranga centre

“˛ is association is picking up on those people who start thinking about things that have gone before them – like the Battle for Crete and the roles their family played. And if we don’t step and do some research, get the information and history together, we are going to lose it.”

“ is association is picking up Battle a church group. “We were

David visited Greece with a church group. “We were going to follow St Paul’s journey but when I saw the endless rows of old, old olive trees, I thought these are the same trees that Dad would have seen. It woke me up.”

Cretan embrace

What tore at him, was the Cretan people approaching him and spontaneously embracing him. David says there’s a deep love, respect and gratitude for what New Zealanders did for them.

So he became a passionate members of the Crete Association. He continues the good work to-day.

‘Wattie’ nearly died two-three times during WWII.

is from his diary.

during o the would of is

“As I moved o˝ a bullet hit me. I felt a bit stunned but managed to stand again. I thought I could feel blood running down my back. Len (Wattie’s mate) said: ‘Your back’s covered in something wet’. He smelled my coat. ‘God man,’ he cried. ‘It smells like rum. If that rum bottle hadn’t taken the shot you would be a corpse right now’.”

It’s a knowledge thing according to David, an awareness and an appreciation.

˛ e NZ Battle of Crete Association’s 82nd Commemoration Service is at Mount Maunganui RSA this Sunday, May 21, at 10.30am. David Watt is bugler for the service.

THERE’S LOTS TO SEE & DO IN YOUR CITY CENTRE

Browse

POP-POCALYPSE EXHIBITION

Tauranga Art Gallery’s atrium has been transformed into a vibrant, psychedelic world dominated by an epic, fire-breathing taniwha.View the free POP-POCALYPSE exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery until the 28th May.

Discover free stuff, fun stuff, kids eat free, and meal deals in the city centre. From free fluffy Fridays, cafes and restaurants with dedicated kids playrooms, to Hairy Maclary, we’ve got family time sorted. See the line up on our website…

KIDS IN THE CITY

OUTDOOR PHOTO EXHIBITION

The Acorn Foundation celebrates 20 years of connecting generous people who care with causes that matter in our region. Enduring Connections is the resulting exhibition - check it out on The Strand now.

DATE NIGHT IN THE CITY

Whatever you fancy, from the freshest fish and chips on the waterfront, a gourmet Asian fusion banquet, a cocktail over happy hour, to award-winning fine dining, we have it all. There’s a table with your name on it right here...

˜ e bugler at Sunday’s service, David Watt. Photo: Brydie ˜ ompson.

‘Wattie’ – David Watt’s father in the middle with his mates during World War II. Photo: supplied.

Hunter Wells

Working for Real Change

Bay of Plenty residents deserve better Bay of Plenty residents deserve better

° e Bayfair ˝ yover ÿ nally opened lateApril after six years of construction; a project intended to separate freight from local tra˙ c and relieve congestion. Bay of Plenty residents would have assumed this would provide immediate relief from the long tra˙ c queues.

Instead, Waka Kotahi insisted on coning o˛ new lanes and slowing everyone down, so motorists could “get used to the new layout”. One motorist complained of spending 20 minutes to travel 50-100 metres.

After six years of tra˙ c hell, the last thing motorists need are more road cones from Waka Kotahi. ° e new ˝ yover should deliver safe and more reliable journeys once the

road is allowed to fully open. Since the fourlane Tauranga Eastern Link opened in 2015, up to eight deaths and dozens of serious injuries have been avoided, when compared to the old SH2 between Te Puke and Pˆpˆmoa

° e Takitimu Northern Link should deliver similar beneÿ ts. However Labour has only committed to the ÿ rst section between SH29 Takitimu Drive to SH2 west of Te Puna. ° e second stage between Te Puna and ˇmokoroa is unlikely to be started within the next decade.

ACT would start by establishing a new independent stateowned enterprise, Highways New Zealand, which would own and operate NZ’s state highway network. It would construct any new state highways and conduct maintenance and improvements on existing highways.

Because Highways NZ would be expected to be operationally self-funding out of user fees, including delivering a return on invested capital to the Government, it would be incentivised to deliver projects promptly and a˛ ordably.

Make a real difference for Donner!

Hi! My name is Donner! My siblings and I siblings were called ‘° e Christmas pups’. We came into the rescue after our mum was rushed to the vets needing an emergency C-section due to a prolapse. We were surrendered to the rescue afterwards so they could ÿ nd us all amazing homes. Many of my siblings have found their families, but I’m still looking. My foster family say I’m a sweet, slightly shy but very a˛ ectionate pup, and

I love playing with toys and chilling with my favourite people.

I’ve been introduced and get along nicely with kids, cats, dogs and stock animals. I’ve mastered toilet training, crate training, commands, and on-lead walking.

I’ll need lots of love, patience, training and amazing care to help me become the best companion to a loving family. To ÿ nd out more about me, message the RRR Facebook page: www. facebook.com/RRRCanine/

A bridge, the Budget and my Members’ bill

I was with Transport Minister Michael Wood last week as he announced the bridge that will reconnect Coromandel, deemed by project managers and consulting engineers to be the fastest and most resilient solution.

° e Budget 2023 Flood and Cyclone recovery package includes $100 million ˝ ood protection funding, $35.4 million in on-farm support, and employment schemes. Food security is close to my heart, so I’m delighted by the additional $6 million provided for the Food Secure Communities

programme to support community food providers like foodbanks and food rescue organisations, to meet increased demand.

My bill was drawn in last week’s Members’ bill ballot! ° e Family Proceedings (Dissolution for Family Violence) Amendment Bill intends to reduce the harm that family violence causes by allowing victims of family violence to dissolve a marriage or civil union without having to be separated for two years.

° e Government’s new

comprehensive 2023 Winter Plan, led by Te Whatu Ora, will ease pressure on the health system during colder months, making it easier for New Zealanders to get care early, and in many cases closer to home. Initiatives include ‘hospital in the home’ services, community rapid response tools to protect those most vulnerable, and free access to pharmacy consultations and paracetamol for children and Community Services cardholders. Having a warm home is an essential part of preventing respiratory illnesses through the winter season and lowers the risk of other health issues. ° e Winter Energy Payment started again May 1 and runs through to October 1.

Our economic engine must start humming again!

Opposition Leader Christopher Luxon has released National’s plan to restore ÿ scal discipline, curtail wasteful spending and ensure that public ÿ nances are reported clearly. National will focus on funding frontline services such as schools and hospitals.

National’s leader has shared three initiatives aimed at ensuring ÿ scal discipline: Annual reports from Treasury on the performance and results of major programmes; clearly itemised receipts from IRD showing what tax has been paid, what credits have been received and where your taxes were spent in the public service; and government department CEOs and deputies will have their salaries linked to achievement, ensuring

accountability and greater performance.

Government agencies should monitor programmes, collect data, and measure performance.

° e Auditor General has raised this consistently and has been calling for it for some time now.

Under National, Ministers would face public scrutiny for how well di˛ erent programmes are working. It’s taxpayers’ money – and we all deserve to know what it’s being spent on but unless you’ve worked in the machine in Wellington, or have trained for years in accounting or economics, it’s impossible to work out how much money the Government spends, and where it all goes.

New Zealand’s economic engine must start humming again and these initiatives will be part of National’s process to restore the ÿ scal discipline that taxpayers deserve, and the economy needs.

Authorised by David Seymour MP, ACT Party leader, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Think a new outlook on life.

Retirement isn’t for retiring, it’s for new adventures.

With more freedom to pursue your hobbies and passions, you can live the active, fulfilling retirement at Summerset by the Dunes that you’ve worked hard to achieve.

Plus, with six months to sell your home, help with your legal fees, a complimentary moving package, and no weekly fees for six months# – it’s never been easier to make the move.

Think this sounds like you or someone you love?

Join us at one of our Open Days, every Thursday in May. We’d love to show you around.

Love the life you choose

Open Day

Every Thursday in May, 10am - 2pm

Summerset by the Dunes 35 Manawa Road, Papamoa Beach 07 542 9082 | papamoa.sales@summerset.co.nz

2019-2023 AgedCare & RetirementVillages AgedCare & RetirementVillages

Churches Active In Our Community

Pentecost is personal

We recently celebrated Easter when we remembered the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus from the dead. ˜ is was God’s way of providing the sacriÿ cial Lamb required to satisfy the justice of God against the sin of humanity – mankind’s rebellion against God was met with God’s mercy.

sin and rebellion against God.

the sacri cial Lamb the justice of God

˜ e events at that ÿ rst Easter and those at Pentecost were predicted many times over by the Old Testament prophets, declared by Jesus Himself in His ministry, attested to by countless eyewitnesses, while God Himself also bore witness by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. See Hebrews 2:3-4.

Farewell to iconic car boot sale

˜ irteen years of an iconic Tauranga car boot sale is drawing to a close.

Originally based at Greerton Village School and now at Tauranga Racecourse, the Tauranga South Community Patrol has made the decision to end their monthly fundraising event.

“We are very grateful for the support of our vendors that have turned up to sell their goods each month for many years,” says TSCP chair Maureen Kathan.

funds in order to provide a patrol service each day and most nights. Although their o˛ ce and patrol car are based at Greerton Police Station, it is not funded by Police; the patrol is run by volunteers who fundraise to cover operating costs.

will be Pentecost Sunday while countless

In two Sundays’ time – on May 28 – it will be Pentecost Sunday when we remember how God the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early Christian believers in Jerusalem. You can read about these remarkable events in Acts chapter 2 in the Bible.

Like the events at Passover, Easter, the events at Pentecost are Good News – Jesus came into the world to set us free from the penalty of

Dear reader, while countless uncertainties abound in this world and many voices clamour for your attention and devotion, of this we can have absolute certainty and assurance:

“that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15)” precisely because He lived, died, rose again, ascended into heaven, and now gives believers the Holy Spirit until He

returns in His glory. In this way, the God of Pentecost is meant to be personal to you – is He?

Richard Roodt, Redeemer Church Tauranga

“Two months ago we made the hard decision that all good things must come to an end – and so the May 20 car boot sale will be our ÿ nal one.”

Maureen says as a fundraiser for the patrol, the sale has been very successful. “Not only as a money-maker but also to meet the public and raise awareness of our work with the Police and in the community.” TSCP is dependent on raising

˜ ey have received past funding from businesses, individuals and organisations – but the monthly market has been their main regular source of funds. “Our patrollers have done a sterling job arriving, sometimes on cold, dark and damp mornings at 6.30am and staying until the last vendor has packed up ÿ ve hours later,” says Maureen.

“We’d like to recognise the work of each and every one of our team members who supported our fund raising initiative. ˜ is was volunteerism at its best.” To join Tauranga South Community Patrol, email: taurangasouth@cpnz.org.nz

Still co-governance Medicine worse than the illness!

Democracy may not be perfect, but it’s still the best thing we have. For this reason the Commissioners appointed by former Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta to oversee Tauranga City Council was a huge retrograde step.

Who would have thought that a government could have made such a hash of water reform?

BETH - EL

BETH - EL

la tyb

la tyb

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

Previously, the brilliant Papamoa Ratepayers Association monthly meetings gave us the opportunity to hear from councillors Steve Morris and Leanne Brown of the various works the council was undertaking and the challenges and priorities that existed.

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

Now Kieran McAnulty is the new Local Government Minister and is proposing 10 regional entities instead of four, which, on the face of it, sounds better and provides for a better chance for some local representation. ˜ e trouble is it is still co-governance, which means that half the members of the governing boards will be totally unaccountable to ratepayers. ˜ is ˝ ies in the face of Article 3 of the Treaty, which gave all citizens, irrespective of ethnicity, equal rights. Funnily enough, having equal rights is called democracy – and that has served us well for many decades.

ALL WELCOME SHALOM

SABBATH 10AM

SABBATH 10AM

With: We look forward to seeing you!

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

OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

021 768 043

021 768 043

info@bethel.org.nz

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz

ALL WELCOME SHALOM info@bethel.org.nz

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz

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

Churches

We felt part of the process of Local Government. Now we – or I – feel that our council Commissioners are quite remote from us. Largely, as we very rarely see them, Local Government is now conducted in the council o˛ ces and good old fashioned ‘face to face’ communication that councillors had with ratepayers’ groups has been replaced by email announcements or snippets from the Commissioner’s in ˜ e Sun newspaper. Probably they are comfortable with this and in making far-reaching decisions about our city without involving the public at large to any worthwhile extent, but you cannot beat councillors you can talk to, question and hold accountable.

Yes, I know the reason that led to this was a fractured relationship between the Mayor and councillors, but the medicine in˝ icted upon us by government has been far worse than the original illness. David Hallett, Mount Maunganui.

Anything but free!

I hear the Tauranga City Council advertising for people to join the ‘free’ library. As one of the long-su˙ ering ratepayers and a former councillor the library is anything but ‘free’. It is funded, compulsorily, by your rates. And only a small percentage of that is spent on books. About 10 per cent. ˜ e library is an expensive, not free, operation.

Bill Faulkner, Otumoetai.

Not only will the 10 regional water entities be co-governed, they will also be subject to so-called Te Mana o Te Wai directives. ˜ ese directives, which only Maori New Zealanders can give, will provide mandatory rules which the regional water entities must comply with.

Under this Government, we’re moving further and further away from democracy, with those having some Maori ancestry, including other ancestors now of course, having inherently superior rights. If allowed to stand, this will be a disaster for our future.

Margaret Murray-Benge, Bethlehem.

Can someone please explain to anyone trying to get in Tauranga from Katikati, what the sign at Bethlehem and Te Puna means ‘minor delays’? Since the construction of the cyclelane from Wairoa Bridge to Bethlehem a minor delay is at least an extra hour on the journey from Omokoroa – no matter what time of day you are heading in Tauranga. W Galloway, ˜mokoroa. Editor’s note: Wendy, thanks for your view – please read our page 3 story in this edition.

Shirley and Keith Carter

Photo: supplied.

What is your impact on the planet?

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

Tauranga City Council general manager of infrastructure Nic Johansson is already looking to adjust his eating habits after discovering his results through FutureFit.

“˛ e biggest surprise was the impact I and my family can make by reducing red meat and dairy consumption. ˛ at’s certainly changed our knowledge and behaviour for the better.”

˛ e FutureFit themes include move, eat, power, shop and grow –which means there’s a wide range of

areas for potential gains to be made in better outcomes for the planet.

“It’s so useful to see a snapshot of the impacts across the categories, and it immediately tells you where you can make some impactful changes,” says Nic.

“˛ e top takeaway for me is how a little knowledge, which you certainly get by doing the survey, can in° uence your thinking and trigger good conversations at the dinner table! It takes all of us to make changes for a better future for coming generations, and FutureFit is such a good starting point,” says Nic.

Visit www.futureÿ 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.

Warming up the community

More than 4000 packs ÿ lled with warm clothes will go out to Bay of Plenty children that need them to stay cosy this winter.

Teaming up with Stoney Creek and Our Backyard Trust, Curate Church will give out 4500 packs with polar ° eece clothing – including an overshirt, pants and a beanie for ‘Kids Winter Warm Up’ this Saturday, May 20.

Curate Church’s Hayden Reid says they’ve also been working with schools and community organisations to make sure the clothing is going to the right kids in need.

“Unfortunately in this climate there’s an even greater need for

children who are living close to the poverty line that really need warm clothing at this time of year,” says Hayden. “We just really want to be about getting on the ground and see how we can continue to support the community so this is just a small way that we can do that.”

Community connection

As a biennial event, Curate Church last helped out with this initiative in 2021. ˛ is year Hayden wants the Winter Warm Up to create more opportunity for people to connect in the community.

“Hopefully, there’s more of those organic conversations happening at a level to be able to ÿ nd out people’s stories and whether there’s any further

needs or things that are required within the community as well. So it’s not actually just about the clothes themselves, it’s actually about the kids being encouraged.”

At the pick-up event this Saturday, May 20, for nominated kids and wh˝nau, there will also be a Winter Warm Up Party with bouncy castles, sausage sizzles, face painting, music and more.

“We basically just provide an opportunity for [kids and families] to come and have some fun, and know that we want to encourage them and that there’s someone who cares about them.”

To sponsor a Kid’s Winter Warm Up pack, visit: curatechurch. com/winterwarmup

Georgia Minkhorst

Curate Church’s Hayden Reid with boxes of the winter warm-up gear ready to go. Photo: John Borren.

Nic Johansson recently tried FutureFit to look more closely at his carbon footprint.

Chris Coppen was a larger-than-life person, a joyful and strong presence in his family, and the family BBQ legend. He was a loving husband, a caring father to his three daughters, and an irreplaceable grandad to nine grandchildren. However, this year, family gatherings will be noticeably empty without him, as he passed away due to aggressive systemic mastocytosis with associated hematologic neoplasm. His loss is being felt by many, but most strongly by his family.

Becky Gardiner, Chris's daughter, and Director of Human Resources at Waipuna Hospice reflects on her family's personal experience and the support they received from Waipuna Hospice during a time of utter heartbreak. She recalls the beginning of their journey, saying, "Everything began to fall apart when we found out that dad, after having his second bone marrow biopsy, was diagnosed with ASMAHM. It was very scary because we were dealing with something that specialists had very little direct experience with."

Becky also recalls the family's hope when

Chris’ doctor sought access to an Americanfunded drug, saying, "We knew his condition was life-limiting, and he was unlikely to be around for ten or fifteen years, but we thought if we can get five or six years, that would be great." Unfortunately, her father's body did not tolerate the drug.

Despite the difficult times, Chris remained positive and continued to look after his family until the very end. Becky remembered how he wanted to make sure everything was organized for his funeral, saying, "That was his way of saying – I will take care of it, so my girls don’t need to do it. So, he went through, and he told us exactly what he wasted."

After getting Chris's diagnosis, the family sought end-of-life care and received wraparound support from Waipuna Hospice. "Waipuna Hospice enabled us to have Dad at home in his final days, which was amazing as that’s where he wanted to be," said Becky. "They provided equipment, nurses would visit, and when Dad deteriorated, these became daily visits. They taught us how to

showerDad,andhowtousethesyringedrivers (ormedicationpumps)andwere availableonthephone."

Robin,Chris'swife,alsopraisedthehospice's services,saying,"Theydidnottakeover,they werejustthere,answeringallourquestions. Theyweresympatheticwithoutbeing overbearing."Theeducationprovidedbythe hospicewasabigcomponentoftheircare, asit helped calmtheirnervesandgavethemthe confidencetosupportChrisathome.

Intheend,hospicecaremadeahugedifference toChris'squalityoflifeandthesupporthis familyreceived."Iwasoverwhelmedathow wonderfulthesupportwas.Ioftenfoundmyself thinking–gosh,thesepeoplearetruly amazing,"saysBecky.

Pleasehelpusbetheretohelppeople likeChris,andfamiliesliketheCoppens nowandinthefuturebydonatingto WaipunaHospicethisHospice AwarenessWeek.

We can'tdoitwithoutyou.

YES,Iwanttohelpfamiliesstrugglingwiththeendoflifejourney.

MAKINGADONATIONISEASY:

Iwouldliketodonate$30Iwouldliketodonate$50

CardholderName:

YourName: Address:

CharityNumberCC22206.Donationsover$5mayqualifyforatax rebate. 43TePunaStationRoad,RD6,Tauranga3176|075524380 supporter@waipunahospice.org.nz

Email:

WaipunaHospicepatientChrisCoppen(right)and daughterBeckyGardiner(left).

BeckyGardiner(left),Chris'wifeRobinCoppen(middle)andgrandaughter AlyssaGardiner(right)

1. Donateonlineatwww.waipunahospice.org.nz/hawk-2023-donation/ 2. ViaonlinebankingPayee:WaipunaHospiceInc|AccountNumber:030435046910702|Ref:HAWKWS|Particulars:phonenumber. 3. Phoneuson075524380ext.211 4. OrmailthiscoupontoWaipunaHospice,POBox16299,Bethlehem,Tauranga3147

ThisweekisHospiceAwarenessWeek,andnowmorethaneverweneedyourhelptomakesurewearehereto support peoplelikeChris,andfamiliesliketheCoppenswhentheyneedusthemost.

Youth need age-appropriate care

A newly-released report suggests too many young people experiencing acute mental distress in Aotearoa are being admitted to adult inpatient mental health services.

° e Te Hiringa Mahara - the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report ‘Te Huringa Tuarua 2023: Youth services focus reportAdmission of young people to adult inpatient mental health services’, launched Wednesday.

“In the last year alone, 159 young people aged 12-17 years were admitted to adult mental health inpatient

services – this is one-quarter of young people who were admitted for inpatient mental health care,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Board chair Hayden Wano.

“° is is unacceptable. It needs to be zero. Adult and youth mental health inpatient services are fundamentally di˜ erent, and young people experiencing distress should not have to choose services that are not ageappropriate because there is no better alternative close to their wh˙nau and home.” Read the report: https://www. mhwc.govt.nz/our-work/our-reports/

Healthy, glowing skin is possible for everyone

° e journey towards achieving healthy and glowing skin can be challenging, especially for those with skin disorders such as acne, eczema, and perioral dermatitis.

However, with the right information and guidance, everyone can achieve their desired skin goals.

° ere are many factors that can impact skin health, including genetics, lifestyle, diet, and environment. Fortunately, here at Jamele, we have the resources and experience to help you on your skin journey.

Knowing you want to make a change is a great place to

start. We can help you with the rest and provide you with personalised recommendations and treatment plans based on your speciÿ c needs and goals. ° ere are many steps you can take to promote healthy skin, such as eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and protecting your skin from the sun.

Incorporating the right skincare products and treatments into your routine can make a signiÿ cant di˜ erence. Choosing products with high-quality

ingredients that are tailored to your individual skin type and concerns can help address speciÿ c problems and promote overall skin health.

Achieving healthy and glowing skin is possible for everyone.

Our Skin-Fit Membership Programme starts from as little as $9.13 per week.

Whatever your budget, time constraints, personal commitments, and skin concerns may be, your Jamele Skincare therapist will ÿ nd a programme that best suits you. All of our memberships can be tailored to suit your speciÿ c needs. We would love to help you on your skin journey. See: https://www.jamele.co.nz/ skinÿ t-bootcamp

Discussing cartilage loss – Part 2 Discussing cartilage loss – Part 2

In theory osteoarthritis, also known as OA, is one of the simplest diseases.

For years we thought cartilage in our joints just wore away over time. We now know OA is a complex disease where the processes that reduce cartilage are a˜ ected by genetics, past joint trauma and nutrition –especially levels of important antioxidants.

enhanced formula

Cartilage is very di˜ erent from other tissue types. It has no nerve or blood supply, and it appears as lifeless tissue. Cartilage is dynamic tissue. It is a matrix of proteins such as collagen and elastin; chondroitin sulphate; water; and living cells called chondrocytes.

Research shows the health of chondrocytes is central to development of OA. Each chondrocyte looks after a small patch of cartilage, repairing

damage by secreting new cartilage matrix where needed. ° e problem is when chondrocytes are damaged or die. ° is means this cell can no longer maintain cartilage. Eventually the cartilage thins, leading to a painful bone-on-bone scenario.

One of the most annoying and painful arthritic joints are small hand joints. While nutritional therapy can really help, these are among the slowest joints to respond. It seems counter-intuitive, but big weight-bearing joints especially knees tend to respond faster.

I’ve been helping someone with OA in their base thumb joint at the wrist. Within three months the pain had reduced; now, after a year, the discomfort is minor only when under heavy use.

I use a two-pronged approach to support

cartilage. Firstly, we add compounds, especially chondroitin, which can support and repair cartilage. Secondly, we add curcumin from turmeric and Omega 3 ÿ sh oil to reduce in˝ ammation. Often in˝ ammation causes more pain and mobility loss than the actual cartilage damage. ° irdly, we add antioxidants that protect chondrocyte cells from further damage. For more information give me a call or email: john@abundant. co.nz Read my newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

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

That ringing or buzzing noise in your ears

That ringing or buzzing noise in your ears

What is that ringing or buzzing noise I sometimes get in my ears? As an audiologist, I get asked this question at least three times a week.

Tinnitus, or noises in the ears, is a very common condition that a˜ ects one in three people worldwide.

Nearly 80 per cent of these people turn out to have an accompanying loss of hearing.

° is strong link between hearing loss and tinnitus comes as a surprise to people. Of course this means that, in many cases, something can be done

to alleviate the distressing e˜ ects of tinnitus.

It also means your audiologist can explore other reasons that may be causing tinnitus, including a blockage in the ear, certain medical conditions, neck and jaw problems

and even some medications can cause tinnitus. Factors like work or family stress may also magnify what was previously unnoticeable or manageable tinnitus. An Ear360 assessment at Resonate will reveal whether hearing loss may be the culprit, and allow for a useful conversation about addressing the problem.

What can I do differently? Change up your citrus!

What can I do differently?

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting di˜ erent results”

– Albert Einstein.

° is is such a well-known quote you may wonder why I am using it. It’s become somewhat of a cliché – however, clichés have a lot of truth in them but can start to drift under the radar. Perhaps it’s good to revisit this one, and ask yourself: What is it that you are doing that hasn’t changed in your life? Is it a relationship that’s di˛ cult but you have continued to treat it the same way rather than looking at

other options or perspectives?

Perhaps you want to help others, yet it doesn’t seem to be working out in the way you planned?

Whatever it is, ask yourself: ‘What am I doing that is frustrating me and what can I do di˜ erently to gain the desired outcome?’

If you’d like to learn more about coaching, recognising your potential; dealing with stress or con˝ ict, or some other issue, phone Mary Parker, ° e Fast Track Coach, on 021 258 2145, or visit: www.thefasttrackcoach.co.nz

With citrus fruit now in season Kiwi shoppers are encouraged to enjoy this important produce for a great tasting, a˜ ordable vitamin boost.

Limes and Satsuma mandarins are ÿ rst in season. From May onwards, lemons and Navel oranges are in stores. And as spring begins, growers will pick grapefruit, tangelos and Afourer mandarins.

5+ A Day trustee and Plant & Food Research principal scientist Dr Carolyn Lister says the wide variety available means shoppers can keep changing up the citrus they use in recipes.

“NZ citrus fruit is packed with vitamin C, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and to help the body ÿ ght o˜ infections. With so many varieties to choose from, there’s always something new to incorporate into your diet.”

° e 5+ A Day Charitable Trust has a large database of recipes using citrus fruit for the whˆnau to try this winter. Visit: https:// www.5aday.co.nz

King Brothers and a Fat Boy

˜ ere’s a new music video from Tauranga. But ÿ rst, a gig.

And not just any gig. An international act, here from Japan for the fourth time; they’re wild.

King Brothers, four high-energy Japanese punks, are touring to celebrate their 25th anniversary. ˜ ey formed in high school in 1997, were banned from playing at nearly every club in Osaka, and continue to cause mayhem wherever they go. Live shows are legendary.

˜ ey were here in 2014, playing a strip club o˛ ˜ e Strand; in 2016 there was the unforgettable Booze Cruise on Tauranga Harbour; 2018 saw them return for the ÿ nal Woodcock Festival.

Now they’re back, with support from Auckland’s Cindy and local skater punk siblings Grown Downz, at Totara Street on May 26. Tickets are $40.

You might be asking, what do these guys actually sound like? I suggest you check out a video, just one. Pop along to YouTube and search ‘King Brothers –XXXXX’. ˜ en expect to have your mind blown during two-and-a-half minutes of absolute energy. If you thought rock music was dead then this is your deÿ brillator. You will immediately know whether you have reached rock ‘n’ roll heaven or been plunged into musical hell.

It also adheres to my number one rule of video which is: trust your fans’ imagination.

Video woes

I have a deep dislike of music videos; they destroy an individual’s relationship with songs.

Songs are wonderful things. ˜ ey can free your mind, take you to exotic places, plunge you into the heart of relationships, inspire you, stimulate you; they can paint pictures in your mind, and create

worlds, from ‘Old Joe’s Barroom’ to outer space. But here’s the thing: it takes two to tango – the song and you.

Images in a song react with your individual imagination, moulded by all your particular life experiences, and together they create a visual landscape for the song. ˜ at’s how the best songs “paint pictures in your mind”.

Each of us create our own unique pictures which gives us our own unique connection to a song.

But what if, instead of listening to a song, your ÿ rst experience is watching a video? Your mind’s eye will forever be locked in to the video.

If the video is a performance video – the

you a bar room. ˜ e problem is, it’s their bar room, not yours.

You can’t create your own individual imagery because you’re being shown someone else’s. And so you never really make the song “your own”.

Rehaab

A new video released for New Zealand Music Month by blues rockers Rehaab gets it right. In fact the song, ‘Fat Boy’, a biker ode to the Harley-Davidson of the same name, avoids many possible pitfalls for this type of song.

band playing – then there’s little damage, since what you’re seeing is essentially a variation on a live show.

But too often, the video is illustrating the lyrics. Love songs will show lovers, a song mentioning a bar room will show

Inspired by a ri˛ from guitarist Mike Furness (perhaps in˝ uenced from touring Europe with Mr Rudd), singer Roy Hudson originally began writing in a typical manner, as a Harley-rider-bloke, but then thought: ‘No hang on! Why does this have to be about a bloke who rides a bike and not a woman?’ So this is a woman’s song. Roy says: “We also wrote the storyboard to the video to take away the typical motorcycle stereotype rock video”.

˜ ey were also clever enough to ÿ lm in an actual Harley-Davidson workshop. If there’s one thing Harley lovers are going to love, it’s having a look round East Coast Harley-Davidson while

the band play. I like it: not too much messing around and a fun cameo from Lucian McDermott, the teenage guitarist from Taupo band Sonorous. And there’s nothing visualised that will stop your own imagination taking ownership. Musically, it’s great to hear Roy really stretching out on the vocals; he is a ÿ ne singer with an excellent voice. And good production work from Evan at the Mount’s Studio 11b. It sounds, yes, fat. You can ÿ nd ‘background’ videos and links on the band’s Facebook page. Or just google Rehaab’s ‘Fat Boy’.

King Brothers.

Rehaab’s ‘Fat Boy’ video at East Coast Harley-Davidson.

Pink to block bullying

Today, May 19, hundreds of people across New Zealand will wear pink t-shirts in e˛ ort to say ‘No!’ to bullying.

Pink Shirt Day is about showing a united front to put a stop to bullying, harassment and discrimination in Aotearoa.

Mental Health Foundation’s chief executive Shaun Robinson says by wearing a pink t-shirt on Friday, May 19 “you’re showing a commitment to creating a kinder, more inclusive Aotearoa where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background”.

In Tauranga, Bellevue School students are rocking up in their pink t-shirts today

–and have been learning all week about preventing bullying and what to do if someone is being a bully.

Deputy principal Kristen Goodwin says part of what Pink Shirt Day means for their school is acceptance and respect.

“It means being accepting of everybody regardless of who they are, what they look like and what they chose to wear.”

She adds: “I think for our kids it represents our Bellevue School values really well. One of them is about being respectful and that talks about respecting others and respecting their rights”.

“I think one of the key messages is being up-standers not bystanders. Not standing

other children.” Kristen says we should all strive to become up-standers – someone who uses words and actions that can help someone who is being bullied.

“Standing up to bullying in all its forms and saying: ‘It’s not okay every day of the year’ is the wero [challenge] I lay to all New Zealanders” says Shaun.

K˝rero Mai, K˝rero Atu, Mauri T˙,

Tauranga toddlers kick into football

˜ e ball may be nearly one-third of their size, but that won’t stop them from giving it their best kick!

Footballing partners

Jade O’Neill and Kieran Trim are starting Tauranga toddlers young on the ÿ eld, opening up their toddler football programme – Mighty Minis – last month.

Moving down from Auckland mid-2022 with their three-year-old son Ezra, the couple realised there was something missing in our local toddler sport scene.

“Down here we just found Monday to Friday there was hardly anything there, and in toddler sport especially, football only started at four years old – so we wanted to start something that younger children could get involved with,” says Jade.

“I’ve played football all my life and coached

teams, and Jade is a primary school teacher and she’s amazing with kids and we thought we’d have a good experience and shared knowledge to know how to be able to pull this o˛ ,” says Kieran.

Jade and Kieran kicked o˛ their ÿ rst class on Anzac Day and have started with a happy mixture of smiles and frenzy. Jade says the class was “chaos but the feedback from the families is really good saying that their kids had a load of fun and want to come back!”

For the toddler age range, classes are focused on skills rather than team games. “Toddlers learn listening, responding, balance and coordination and prepare to actually focus in a team,” says Jade. “˜ ey are learning how to pass the ball and dribble the ball and working with their parents as well.”

“I’m hoping this experience is going to be a good one for people and that we are able to let the kids have a great time so they can run around, kick the ball and just get as much joy as I’ve had from football in my life,” says Kieran. If you’re interested in getting your toddler into football and want more information, email: mightyminisfc@ gmail.com

Mauri Ora – Speak up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

For more information on Pink Shirt Day and to donate, visit: https://pinkshirtday.org.nz/

Georgia Minkhorst

Georgia Minkhorst

Bellevue School’s Joseph Simpson, Aggie Tamihana, Owen Minshall and Paige Riddell stand together against bullying. Photo: Brydie ˜ ompson.

Jade O’Neill, son Ezra, aged 3, and Kieran Trim o˜ er toddler football. Photo: Brydie ˜ ompson.

News from Bay of Plenty Regional Council May 2023

Discover your impact on the planet

FutureFit is an online tool that provides users with a snapshot of their impact on the planet. It is simple yet powerful way for people to engage with climate change, and it is quick and easy to use. Visit www.futurefit.nz today to learn about your carbon footprint and see how your everyday actions can make a difference.

Have your say about the future of freshwater

Change is coming for landowners, as regional councils across the country work to set new objectives, policies, and rules to protect the health of our freshwater.

Central government released a National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management in 2020, and regional councils must update our regional policies and rules to give effect to this.

Over the next few months, our team is holding events across the region to update you on the key freshwater management issues are for our region and for your FMU, and the draft options we are thinking about to manage them.

A list of upcoming drop-in sessions near you is below or you can access a full list at boprc.govt.nz/freshwater.

Upcoming events in your area:

Waiōtahe: Friday 19 May 2-7pm: Waiōtahe Settlers Hall, cnrs Main Road and Waiōtahe Valley Road

Tauranga Moana: Sunday 21 May 10am-2pm: Waimarino Water & Adventure Park, 36 Taniwha Place, Bethlehem

Rotorua: Tuesday 23 May 2-7pm: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Mokoia Drive, Tihiotonga, Rotorua

Tarawera: Tuesday 30 May 2-7pm: Firmin Lodge, Waterhouse Street, Kawerau

Whakatāne: Wednesday 31 May 2-7pm: Eastbay REAP, Pyne Street, Whakatāne

Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme photo winner!

The winner of the Love Our Lakes photo competition was Natasha Russell with this snap of her boys enjoying the lakes. Natasha’s photo, as voted by the public, embodies intergenerational connectedness to our lakes.

Natasha said her favourite places were Lake Rotoiti, Honeymoon Bay, Tamatea Bay and Manupirua Hot Pools.

“We like to take our whānau jetskiing and boating to places my Papa took my father as a kid, my father took me as a kid and now I take my kids.” The competition is run annually and draws a range of beautiful images and stories from the public. The finalists are chosen and then the public votes for their favourite image. If you’re out and about enjoying the lakes over the year, remember to enter next time!

Learn more about our Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme mahi here www.rotorualakes.co.nz

Stopbanks… not stock banks!

Stopbanks… not stock banks! Through the wet winter season, we’re reminding rural landowners to help ensure stock aren’t causing damage to stopbanks. Overgrazing or pugging on stopbanks removes grass cover that holds the soil together. When the top layer of the stopbank is weakened, it impacts the overall structure and, potentially, its effectiveness during a flood.

Stopbanks are an important part of our flood defences, but we need your help to keep them in good shape.

For more information about stopbanks and flood defences, check out our website: www.boprc.govt.nz/flood-defences

Warm up your home this winter!

Winter’s here – so it’s time to heat your home, says Graham Jones from Tauranga Air Conditioning.

“I suggest getting in quick – as we only have limited stock! Call me now on 0272547667.”

Graham offers top-quality brands and a same-day installation policy.

He says Consumer recommended 20 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries heat pumps, including eight split systems from the Avanti, Avanti PLUS and Bronte series in the consumer advocacy group’s 2022 review.

“These latest ecommendations make Mitsubishi Heavy Industries the most recommended heat pump brand of 2022,” says Graham. “I can supply and install these for you!”

Graham has 40 years’ experience and has been keeping Tauranga warm for 29 years. “My team offer honest advice and recommend only the best brands, as suggested by the Consumer Guide.”

Graham advses the person who quotes and installs is always the same person to complete the job.

“Our motto is ‘same day install and we come when you call’ 0272547667.”

Graham says his brightly-coloured van is usually remembered by customers.

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Ph Mark on 027 323 9360

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gardening

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SERVICES tree pruning, weeding, hedges, water blasting, home maintenance, fence painting at a ordable rates Ph Philip 027 655 4265

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AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses.

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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

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. • Treetops Luxury Lodge Lunch 15th June -1 Day • Mystery Trip 23rd Aug -1 Day • Tranz-Alpine Express & West Coast 3rd- 6th Sept - 4 Days • Springtime in Nelson 23rd28th Sept -6 Days • Mackenzie Country,Tekapo,Mt Cook, Wanaka 21st -26th Nov - 6 Days 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 Thursday 25th May – Lumberjax – an indoor mini golf themed as an abandoned 1850’s logging town. Don’t worry if you have never played this game before – its is really easy & loads of fun. Come and have a laugh and let your competitive side shine. Prizes to be won. Call us to book your seats as they are limited. Ph 572 4118 Thursday 22nd June – Lunch at Prince Albert – the old English Pub in Cambridge- “The Town of Trees & Champions”. Don’t need to worry about the weather as we will keep you warm and cosy all day –and unravel some interesting facts about Cambridge - Call us to book your seats today. Ph 572 4118