The Weekend Sun - 2 June 2023

Diary of a senior soldier

‘Blood and Fire’ is the Salvation Army motto – blood of Jesus and fire of the Holy Spirit. It’s been Laurie Bell’s mantra for 78 years. He was born into the Salvation Army. He’s done and seen it all – the abstainer has swapped yarns with firemen

and rugby player mates as they swilled “the sponsor’s product”, played his tenor horn during rousing ‘street corner ministries’ – not always tuneful apparently – he’s comforted the ‘temporarily dry and clean’ booze and drug addicted at the Army’s

Recovery Church, rattled the donation boxes during Red Shield Appeals and even won over a few lost souls to the faith. “Should have been a lot more.” Now the Tauranga soldier, pictured here, is laying down his arms, but the work’s not done.

He’s changing churches but, he hopes, not his direction. Today on pages 12-13, Laurie reflects on his time as a ‘senior soldier’ on the frontline and candidly discusses a few of his own demons.

Photo: John Borren.

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The Weekend Sun is published every Friday and distributed throughout the Western Bay of Plenty from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke and available

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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, Felicity Alquist. Design Studio: Kym Johnson, Kerri Wheeler, Amy Bennie, Caitlin Burns Office: Angela Speer, Kristina Clayton

Health warning: Do not fritter!

Five or 10 minutes at a time, quarter of an hour here, half an hour there. Our most precious gift. Taken by stealth.

I was doing Stuff’s quiz, as I do every morning and afternoon. In itself a sad statement on my life. I look forward to the Stuff quiz. Perhaps I need therapy? Or a pet. Or a hobby. Or a partner. A pet I think. Because one of the Stuff questions said that a study has tallied the number of months of a driver’s life (insert your name) – that have been spent waiting for red lights to turn green. Three, six, 12 or 18? What do you think?

The answer is six. So of the 864 months I have been on the planet, six of them have been spent edging ever closer to the grave, at red lights. You can’t use the time productively like playing Wordle or checking emails –you are limited in how you use those empty moments.

Rhinotillexomania

You can choose from rhinotillexomania (picking your nose), suspiration (sighing), needlessly adjusting your manhood (selfexplanatory), or checking the precise origin of your borborygmus (intestinal gurgling). Each one of them useful but hardly fulfilling. You wouldn’t want to die in the process, you wouldn’t want it to be your last act on the planet. “Oh JB had a happy life and ended it with a flourish – his index finger up his nose and his large intestine rumbling. And at a red light.”

The traffic planners are playing God. They have stolen .694 per cent of my life from me while I have waited at red lights. I bet they sit watching me on CCTV, snickering as my time ebbs.

It takes about five minutes to do 15 Stuff multiple choice questions – 10 minutes out of my life every day. Ten minutes I don’t get back. Two-and-a-half days of my year. At age 72, I have already used my allotted three score years and 10…‘the days of our years’, according to the Bible.

I am clinging to any time I have in the bank. So should I really fritter two-a-half days each year scoring ‘nice try’ or ‘you can

do better’ at Stuff trivia quizzes? “What about Waka Kotahi?” shrilled an outraged colleague and Katikati commuter. “Waka Kotahi, servants of the people, robbing us blind at the same time.” She refers to the 16.4km, 34-minute, commuter trip down State Highway 2 from Katikati to Tauranga that can involve staring up someone’s exhaust pipe for oneand-a-half hours.

So five return trips each week crawling or stopped dead. The lost time is something we can’t reclaim. So perhaps they could bill Waka Kotahi $35 an hour for all the fulsome enjoyment and happiness arbitrarily stripped from our lives while trying to negotiate State Highway 2?

The kettle

I am watching the kettle boil as I ponder all this. And when it whistles and turns off, I am reminded another three or four minutes of non-productive time has been cut off my life.

Do the math – four cups of Darjeeling a day, every day for a year. If I started boiling the kettle, as a serious tea drinker, aged 20, that’s nearly another seven months off my life….with nothing to show. Frittered on a trifle. Plus the time spent at red traffic lights.

Perhaps I should research constructive, productive, uplifting, rewarding activities waiting for a kettle to boil. For example – maybe I could pack my whole daily exercise routine into that four minutes. And now I’ve got Iron Maiden’s song ‘Wasted Years’ crashing round in my head.

“Now understand, Don’t waste your time always searching for those wasted years.”

I find Iron Maiden loud aggressive and mangled even when I’m just scribbling down their lyrics.

“Face up, make your stand….”

Realise you’re living in the golden years, hey!”

Hey yeah! Makes me wonder who else is fleecing me of my golden years? For one... the very person who swore the Hippocratic

Oath to uphold specific ethical standards to promote my longevity. The doctor – at $50$60 a consultation on how to best preserve or extend what time I have left. But I gobble up 30 to 40 minutes of it in the waiting room. That’s 2.6 hours a year of my life if I make four appointments. I could have seen a couple of movies, re-arranged my socks draw, taken a pumice to the callouses on my feet. Endless excitement and joy. But no – I was waiting and wasting.

Chop Suey

The Chinese say: “Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think”. Then in the same breath, the lovely lady at my favourite takeout – she does a sublime chop suey with a fistful of cashews – always says in her delightful way: “Ready 15”. Everyone has to “wait 15” regardless of what they order and how busy they are. No-one’s time is any more important than anyone else’s. I love that. I ‘chop suey’ once a week…so each year I commit $884 and 13 hours of what’s left of my life waiting on chop suey. So, I read the menu board, again, and watch other people read the menu board. Why? They have already ordered. It’s sucking up our lives.

Nailed it

Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kuble-Ross – she’s studied near-death, which at 72, puts me right in her study demographic. Elisabeth nailed it. “It’s only when we truly understand we have a limited time on earth, and have no way of knowing when our time is up, that we will begin to live each day to its fullest, as if it were the only one we had.”

There are no credits for waiting at red lights or watching the kettle boil. And it’s not that we have little time, but more that we waste a good deal of the time we do have. Or someone else does.

Thoughts? Email: hunter@thesun.co.nz

bassist Steve

https://interestingfacts.co.za/music/iron-maiden/

We are frittering our lives away. But what really chafes the thighs, what really curdles the cream, is that it’s happening unwittingly. Our time is being frittered for us.

Costs threaten a food supply

With the high cost of food ever increasing, a Te Puke-based charity is having to call on the community to continue feeding those in need.

The Daily Café is a charity run café that connects with the community, running initiatives and events, and providing food to those who may be struggling with this basic necessity.

Operating since 2016, the café has operated through the tough times of Covid-19, and is now facing challenges with the rising cost of living.

“This year the rapid cost of food inflation has really affected our charity because the need is still there – and we haven’t dropped any of our supply to our community,” says founding member and general manager Chrissi Robinson.

“We’ve sort of really had to review our budget… and it’s not like in a business where you can pass on that increased cost of ingredients through your pricing – in a charity you don’t have a price.”

A big part of the charity is providing healthy school lunches to Te Puke schools that aren’t considered eligible under the Ministry of Education’s Healthy School Lunches Programme.

“Currently we provide 270 unfunded lunches to four schools in the Te Puke area everyday – so that

works out to be over 40,000 lunches a year,” says Chrissi.

“Those 40,000 lunches now cost a lot more than we expected to produce, so it’s really hard on the budget and the rate of inflation has just been more than we expected.”

With families facing higher food costs, Chrissi says: “There’s hardly a week goes by that one of our unfunded schools doesn’t ring and ask: ‘Can we have one more kid because this is the situation [the family] is in’”.

Chrissi is hoping the charity isn’t put in a situation where they have to cut back on what they can give. “If we don’t see some kind of shift or improvement, or aren’t able to find that support –we’ll have to really look hard at what we can do.

“I just don’t even want to think about that because I know the food is just so needed. Our strategy is to appeal to our community – to those in our community who are journeying this okay that might be able to chip in for those who need that extra support.

“We’ve actually started up a Givealittle page campaign with a target of raising $40,000, which is a $1 contribution towards all the lunches that we do.”If you can chip in, donate at: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/the-daily-charitable-trust

Georgia Minkhorst

Daily Café’s Chrissi Robinson and Sam Mcartney. Photo: John Borren.

News tips phone: 0800 SUNLIVE

Bayfair road closure

A small section of Maunganui Rd between the Bayfair roundabout and Exeter St is temporarily closing for reconstruction of the ground level road as part of the Bay Link project.

From early morning Wednesday, June 7, this section of road will be closed until early spring and a detour for people travelling locally will be in place. Following the full closure, the road will then be open but reduced to one lane until late spring to enable completion of footpaths, driveways and other elements.

The new Bayfair flyover won’t be impacted by this closure and continue to provide for most traffic travelling on SH2.

GNZ Science pleads guilty

The Crown Research Institute GNS Science has this week pleaded guilty to charges brought against it in the wake of the deadly Whakaari eruption.

The charges relate to multiple field trips GNS staff took before the eruption in December 2019 and the institute’s failure in its duty to its workers.

GNS lawyer Garth Gallaway entered the guilty plea in Whakatāne District Court, sitting in Auckland on Tuesday before Judge Evangelos Thomas.

GNS will be sentenced in August.

Plea for missing tag

Shark scientist Riley Elliott is calling on the public to help find a missing shark tag.

In a post on Facebook, Riley says the tag appears to have floated ashore and has been tracked to Gate Pa, probably taken home by a resident who may not be aware what it is.

“This isn’t a manhunt it’s a tag hunt,” says Riley on his Facebook page.

“The person likely doesn’t know what it is, so please if you know people in the Gate Pa area or a community page there, please share this post and see if we can get the tag back.”

He’s offering a reward of $100 to anyone finding and returning the tag.

Riley asks anyone who has found the tag to text or call him on 027 463 7397.

Tauranga tradie shines bright

Tauranga’s Jared Menzies has scored second place as the top carpentry apprentice in the country, at the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge sponsored by ITM.

Canterbury’s Alex Erickson won the coveted first place title of top carpentry apprentice, and Daniel Merwyn from Taupo came in third.

The NZCB Apprentice Challenge National Final took place at NZCB’s annual conference in Christchurch on May 26-27, where 21 regional finalists from across the nation competed for the top prize.

Apprentices were judged on examples of their work, dedication towards their apprenticeship, and a presentation to more than 500 NZCB member builders at the conference.

Free Saturday parking not enough!

Free parking returns to Tauranga’s CBD on Saturdays this weekend, yet some businesses believe more changes are still needed to bump up numbers in downtown.

At Tauranga City Council’s on Monday, May 29, meeting the decision was made to return free parking in the CBD on Saturdays and after 5pm on weekdays.

The changes kick in from tomorrow, Saturday, June 3, and was decided after CBD businesses reported paid parking was affecting the number of downtown visitors.

Paid parking was initially re-introduced in December 2022 to prevent city workers using parks all day and to encourage customer turnover.

During Monday’s council meeting Commission Chair Anne Tolley stated: “While it’s an exciting time for the city centre as it undergoes a once-in-ageneration transformation, there will be challenges along the way – like parking –so it’s important council remains nimble and can provide solutions that support visitors, workers and businesses in the city centre during this time”.

Customers complain

So how do downtown business feel about the move? The Med Cafe’s manager Ashleigh Cormwell says it’s been detrimental for business having extended paid parking. “I would really love to see accessibility to parking in the CBD be returned because that would be really beneficial.”

Ashleigh says the café has had a lot of complaints from customers about the CBD parking situation. “A lot of people even say they won’t return because of parking, which is really sad to hear you know.” She thinks the recent changes to parking is “wonderful” but believes more needs to happen. “For business

I would love more changes to be done in terms of free parking and accessible parking.” With parking free in places like Mount Maunganui’s Main Street, Fraser Cove and Bayfair, Ashleigh says it’s hard to compete. “I understand the need of paid parking but I also think if we’re trying to encourage people to be here and to liven up the CBD, this isn’t the way to go about it – at least not yet.”

Businesses like Grey St craft store Purple Patch have had similar customer frustrations with the CBD parking. “I’ve had very, very upset people in the shop about parking – especially the older ones that just find the whole parking metre thing very hard to use,” says store secretary Beth French. “A lot of them don’t have paywave.”

Destination store

She hopes the free Saturday parking will help the store, but is also content with the parking being a niche business. “We’re very much a destination shop, and I think people have decided they’re coming in here and find a park. We don’t have a lot of people that come in as foot traffic.” Hearing of council’s decision, Bond

& Co menswear store owner Jason Dovey says commencing parking changes are a “positive”. “I mean free parking always helps.”

Prefer free two hours

Yet he’d prefer the parking situation was as it was prior to December. “I wish [the parking] was still free for the first two hours during the week…it was a good incentive when that was free as well. We should be trying to make it a bit more user-friendly to entice people.

“They [TCC] should’ve just left it until the rebuild of the city is finished and then revaluate it, you know what I mean. It’s pretty hard on people at the moment with the state of the way things are in the city and charging people when it’s not really that convenient or great.”

Georgia Minkhorst

Bond & Co on Devonport Rd needs parking in the CBD more user-friendly.

Photos: John Borren.

The Med Café’s manager Ashleigh Cormwell believes more changes need to be made to parking in Tauranga’s CBD.

A new public art trust is launching in Tauranga next week with ambitions to install the first artwork this summer!

Launching on June 7, 2023, the Font Tauranga Public Art Trust is a group of locals committed to gifting a significant body of public art to Tauranga City Centre. Together, they will raise money for commissioning artworks and deliver them to the city during the next decade from 2023-2033. On board as trust co-chairs is Vanessa Hamm and Stephen Hahn. Stephen is a CBD business owner, while Vanessa is a partner in a large local law firm. “We think that Tauranga could benefit from having some more significant works of public art in the CBD...to make it a more vibrant, attractive city centre and destination for people,” says Vanessa.

[of art] in place in the coming summer”.

The duo believe formation of the trust is is an exciting step for Tauranga, because it will put us on the same playing field as other NZ cities.

“Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton, for example, have public art trusts that have been established for quite some time and have been quite successful in delivering significant public works,” says Vanessa. “There hasn’t been anything like that locally.”

“We get to draw on examples of what we know has worked elsewhere,” says Stephen. “Down in Dunedin they do some really interesting light projections over the harbour…so there’s many different examples of what that public art might be. It doesn’t have to be a traditional sculpture.”

Artistic shake-up

Co-chairs of the Font Tauranga Public Art Trust Vanessa Hamm and Stephen Hahn. Photo: John Borren.

Brooches, goblets and student creative genius!

Western Bay of Plenty residents have just a week left to see a Threesome of Exhibitions at The Incubator’s Creative Hub at The Historic Village.

And yes, it’s an ecelctic mix on offer – goblets, brooches and student creative genius!

‘Pinned’ is an exhibition of art brooches; ‘Te Hononga’ is created by Papamoa College visual art students;

and ‘The Pothouse Goblets of Fire’ is a pottery exhibition.

“One of the great things about these monthly triple exhibition launches is that there is so much diversity of the types of themes and genres,” says The Incubator director Simone Anderson.

“During May we’ve trebled the participation as all the exhibitions are group shows.

“And this created a huge frenzy on the opening night with a lot of excitement and a buying stampede! The excitement is contagious.”

Brooches galore

The Pinned exhibition includes the collective work of 27 artists displaying their works of art in brooch form attached to the attire – and all on the most imaginative methods of display from denim jackets to chicken wire sculptures and pompom skulls.

“We learnt that ‘brooch’ as a word stems from a medieval French word ‘broche’, which described the spit that was used for roasting meat.

“Further tracking back links us to the Latin word ‘brocchus’, which means to protrude and simply describes the functional original purpose of a brooch

– which archaeologists suggest date back to the Iron Age – and that is ‘to fasten a garment’.”

Spikes

Continuing the ancient trending artforms, ‘Goblets of Fire’ explores the idea of this drinking vessel in the most imaginative ways possible.

Simone says the exhibition includes an enormous chalicelike sculpture titled ‘Lord of the Drinks’, vessels complete with un-mouth friendly spikes that you might expect to be used in a medieval torture chamber, and Game of Thrones-esque goblets complete with miniature ceramic jars containing accompanying ‘potions.

“There is a fantastic line-up of artists who took up this challenge and I’m pleased to say in true Incubator style – you won’t expect to see anything ordinary here,” says Simone.

Meanwhile Simone says Te Hononga is the perfect fit exhibtion in People’s Gallery –Toi ka rere.

“The Incubator Creative Hub is renowned for fostering and encouraging young and to expand on their work outside their comfort zones and in this

instance, to display their works beyond the school environment.”

Arts tutor Tania Lewis-Rickard describes the exhibition. ‘With emphasis on the Kaupapa theme ‘Te Hononga - the Connection’, means that students will be able to explore their unique individual stories visually. Expressing their culture and interests and visually display their connection to things that are exciting and meaningful to them.

“Using a diverse range of media, the students have been asked to explore any media and format. Drawing, painting, mixed media painting and 2D relief painting, sculpture, 2D relief, 3D, free-standing; digital art; photography; photo-mixed media and collage.”

The exhibitions end June 10.

Waka Kotahi is working to protect the route for a new four-lane highway and shared path between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa. We invite people to an information session to look at the draft plans for the new road, and give feedback on these proposals.

EVENTCANCELLED

This is a good opportunity to get a feel for how the design is progressing and ask questions about both stages of the project, while on the doorstep of Stage One (Tauranga to Te Puna), currently in construction. We look forward to seeing you there.

You can also view materials at nzta.govt.nz/takitimunorth and give your views during the consultation period 8 – 22 June 2023.

Where: Project Site Office, 635 State Highway 2, Te Puna

When: Thursday 8 June 2023, drop in anytime between midday and 4pm

Melanie Mills with items on display at The Incubator.

Photo: John Borren.

Car show boosts St John

Tauranga’s Auto Extravaganza organiser

Neville McKay is a happy man. So is his sidekick Keith Sawyer. The pair handed over a big fat $10,000 cheque to Hato Hone St John in Tauranga City this week.

The $10,000 is the biggest amount of proceeds Neville has raised for St John, after holding four Tauranga Auto Extravaganzas in recent years at The Waterfront carpark.

“I am absolutely rapt – my aim fundraising goal was $10,000 this year. And we got there!”

Neville says the funds were raised at March 13’s 2023 Auto Extravaganza via raffles, auctions, sponsored prizes, donations and people being generous.

“So many people came along to the event – The Strand was full, and the carpark was nearly full,” says Neville.

This year’s event even dodged a backfire – after being postponed due to Cyclone Gabrielle. Finally, on March 13, Neville’s team rallied bikes, cars, and trucks from around the country, plus hot food,

good music and spot prizes for a day of family fun.

At lunchtime Wednesday, Welcome Bay Lions Club members, representatives from Mag & Turbo, MTF Finance and Countdown, plus car people and supporters and helpers of the show gathered at Hato Hone St John 17th Ave to pass the funds over.

According to St John, the $10,000 will play a big part in staff welfare, supporting the Youth Programme, plus building maintenance and improvements.

Neville and his family have used Hato Hone’s services in the past – and have always been impressed “by the kindness and professionalism” they were met with each encounter.

Now he’s looking forward to a bigger and better show in 2024 – to be held at Classic Flyers –where visitors will have access to the museum housing vintage planes, boats, and trucks.

“That’s all organised – and it will be held around the same time of year,” says Neville. So what’s the fundraising goal for 2024? “I hope we get $15,000.” Watch this space! Merle Cave

Neville McKay handing over the money to Hato Hone St John representatives while surrounded by event sponsors, supporters and helpers. Photo: John Borren.

Take on the kerbside challenge

We’ve diverted over 3700 tonnes* of material from landfill in the last year.

How much can we do next year?

Let’s take on the kerbside challenge to

• reduce waste to landfill

• increase recycling

*from 1 July 2022 projected to 30 June 2023.

Don’t miss an opportunity to recycle.

Ka pai team!

Recycling Collection Calendar 2023-24

Collection changes this year

This year there’s three public holidays falling on weekdays that will affect our kerbside collections that week - Christmas, New Years Day and Good Friday. Blue

Step 1: Find your yellow lid recycling bin week (week 1 or 2) from the sticker on the side of your bin.

Step 2: Find where your yellow lid recycling bin week is on the calendar below.

Week 1

For each day coloured blue, that kerbside collection will move to the next day. e.g. Thursday collections happen on Friday, Friday collections happen on Saturday.

My collection day is: Step 3: Please alternate the glass bin collection week with the yellow lid recycling bin week.

Note: The food scraps and red lid rubbish bins are collected any week. Week 2

Download the Antenno app for weekly collection day reminders

**Food scraps bin only available for full service.

Find out more at kerbsidecollective.co.nz or 0800 926 732

Finding her family’s ties to the Te Puke tearooms

A Tauranga woman’s research project has uncovered a treasure-trove of stories about her family – including the day her father fell asleep in a cake cabinet.

“It’s been so nice to have been invited into people’s homes to hear their memories,” says Brooke McCann. “It really has exceeded my expectations.”

Brooke is writing a piece of non-fiction as part of her diploma in writing and decided to dig into her great-grandparents, who owned the Te Puke Bakery and Tearooms from 1936 through to 1968.

It was Brooke’s aunt who recounted the day her dad went missing and was found later – literally with cake on his face. “He must’ve been around two or three years old, and they’d gone to visit their grandparents; eventually someone realised my dad was missing and there was a bit of a panic,” says Brooke. “But he’d snuck over to the tearooms and helped himself to a massive cake inside the cabinet. “He’d fallen asleep in there.”

Historical memoir

Brooke’s original idea was to write a family cookbook. “My nana was an amazing baker, now I’m learning where her talent came from. Her parents were the bakers for the community,” says Brooke. “One of my daughters is also an amazing baker.”

Brooke’s research has evolved into a historical memoir, revealing her great-grandparents, Tom and Winnie Baikie, were remembered as generous and kind-hearted people. “Tom, particularly was quite a well-known character,” says Brooke. “I’ve had the comment over and over that he was a very generous man. He would give to clubs and help fundraisers by donating suppers.”

Mysteries

Her research has also thrown up some mysteries. “My great-grandfather was the first pilot in Tauranga to have a private plane and wanted to serve in World War II. We found a letter refusing him on the grounds that he didn’t have enough experience,” says Brooke. “I believe, though, that the reason was actually because bread was a staple and his was an essential job here in New Zealand.”

Take Taco in!

Taco is full of hot sauce at about three months old. He’s a cheeky little pup who needs an experienced dog owner.

Although he can be a naughty little fellow, he wants to be good. So he needs someone who’d be happy to invest in training so he can learn to understand what his new owner wants from him. Call the Tauranga centre on: 07 5780245. Ref no: 577435.

Tom instead supported the war by sending bread and even baked hundreds of Christmas cakes to send over to Kiwi troops. “His older brother had been killed in the first world war, so it was important to him to do what he could,” says Brooke. “Men in uniform never paid for food from the tearooms. Another man has told me his mother died when he was 13, and he was always welcome at the Baikie’s for a meal.”

0800 486 532

Are some of our rivers, lakes or wetlands culturally or traditionally important to you?

Do you swim, fish or gather kai in Bay of Plenty rivers, lakes, harbours or estuaries?

Do you farm, grow kiwifruit, avocados or other crops?

If you have answered YES to any of these questions, come to an event near you and discuss the changes happening for land and freshwater management in the Bay of Plenty.

Upcoming events in your area:

Rangitāiki: Friday 2 June, 2-7pm, Eastbay REAP, 21 Pyne Street, Whakatāne

Tauranga Moana: Friday 9 June, 12-5pm, Bay of Plenty

Regional Council, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga

Rotorua: Friday 23 June, 2-7pm, Te Rūnanga Tea House, Queens Drive, Rotorua

Waihī Estuary: Saturday 24 June, 10am – 2pm, location TBC.

Kaituna: Thursday 29 June, 2-7pm, Whakaue Marae, Maketu Road, Maketu

Me mahi tahi tātou mō te oranga tonutanga o te wai māori Let’s work together for the future of freshwater

Brooke McCann has written a historical memoir on her great-grandparents, who owned the Te Puke Bakery and Tearooms from 1936-1968.

Photo: Grace Jones.

Tom Baikie in his baker’s hat around 1927 while he was an apprentice baker in Stratford.

Tom Baikie on the right in a bakery he owned on The Strand, Tauranga, in 1932.

Debbie Griffiths

Serving up distraction packs for children

This is Altrusa Tauranga president Sandra Bonney’s explanation to The Sun as she hands over boxes of books, toys, blackboards, and costumes to Tauranga Women’s Refuge late-May.

Sandra says Altrusa Tauranga’s donations to Women’s Refuge is a regular occurrence. “We have, in the last couple of years, come together, and we have been putting together Distraction Packs.

Safety programme

“They’re for the children that come into the Women’s Refuge, and that just helps them to have something to keep them occupied.”

Social worker Hannah Gracie, who accepted the donations on behalf of Women’s Refuge, works with the children who will benefit from these items.

“I do safety programmes along with my colleagues, and we work with kids who have experienced, witnessed, been around domestic violence.

“We will definitely be incorporating them into our safety programme, which we do with kids

every day…We can utilise all of this, and it’s really nice to have some new resources that we can use.”

Members of Altrusa International Club of Tauranga advertised their public event for making sock puppets for their ‘Distraction Packs’ back in March.

Since then Tauranga Altrusa members have built the blackboards, sewed the bags, and assembled the Distraction Packs to present to Women’s Refuge.

Hannah says the impact of Altrusa’s service is not to be understated. “We’re so overwhelmed and truly grateful for what Altrusa has given us.”

Join up!

The non-profit is currently seeking manpower to continue providing support to Women’s Refuge, and other organisations. Sandra welcomes anyone interested. “If there are people out there who are looking to make new friends, to do good in the community then we’re a pretty good bunch of women to join.” Prospective members or helpers, can email Sandra Bonney at: president.tauranga@altrusa.org.nz

“They’re for the children that come into the Women’s Refuge. You know, they’ve practically left with nothing.”

Sandra describes Altrusa Tauranga as a service group. “We’re out to do what we can for those in our community.”

Altrusa Tauranga ladies Margaret Robertson and Sandra Bonney hand over items to the Women’s Refuge team. Photo: David Hall.

‘Blood and Fire’ and Laurie

Sam Uffindell MP for Tauranga

He’s spent his 78 years saving souls –whether pulling people from house fires on the busiest fire truck in the country, or rescuing them from the flames of hell –alcohol and drug addiction.

“Booze and drugs – the damage that stuff causes…!” He tut-tuts in disgust. At the substance abuse, not the people. Because he believes there’s hope for everyone.

I

Laurence Stanley Bell, or ‘Laurie’ – professional firefighter cum Salvation Army officer. Life for him has been swapping one uniform for another. And either way, he’s been a life saver.

“When I get up in the morning and pull on a uniform, I am enthusiastic, I am fanatical; I have been called by God.” That’s Laurie the Sallie, and a bit of the fireman.

And that’s where there might be an employment issue of sorts. Because God, his maker, his boss, seems to have decided Laurie’s employment with Salvation Army is done, this senior soldier is due for an honorable military discharge.

That was the catalyst for this story – eight decades of selfless service and a laying down of arms, but the soldier’s not so sure.

“The Army would love to see me just sitting in the

pews every Sunday morning. Fair enough. But I have more of God’s work to do.” The soldier isn’t ready to quit.

So when he de-mobs, he’s ‘deserting’ – his word – off to join the Wesleyans, the Methodists, at St Stephens in Brookfield. Not as silly as it sounds. “Because William Booth, was a Methodist preacher before he established the Salvation Army in 1883,” explains Laurie. Booth apparently wanted to make the church more accessible to the poor and the excluded. Laurie Bell’s just doing it the other way round.

Hands-on stuff

“The Methodists have a good lay preacher system,” says Laurie. “Hands-on stuff.” Stuff that still fuels his fire – evangelism, missions, teaching, preaching, fundraising. And after all, he knows the drill – as a lieutenant in the Army, he ran churches for 10 years. Only one person warned him off the move. His wife Susan. “Hair-brained she reckoned – but I’ve had lots of hair-brained ideas.”

A good mate, another Sallie, said to him: ‘God bless you in your new ministry Laurie’. “I appreciated that.” I always liked the Sallies. As a kid they’d arrive on the back of a truck at Christmas and belt out a few rousing tunes – tambourines, trumpets, the works. They’d bring a live concert to our house.

Road closure at Bayfair roundabout

Silhouettes and sounds: Laurie Bell alone with his music.

Photo John Borren.

Later in Auckland, a Sallie got to know me by name and felt comfortable busting out Friday night pub drinks for a $10 donation. It wasn’t a donation he insisted. It was an investment should things go belly up for me.

Warts and all

Then a cynical old colleague fell for a Sallie and suddenly Saturday night became a shift at a soup kitchen. Add Laurie Bell to that mix of good Sallie people doing good, good work. An effusive, irrepressible character, with a delightful earthiness, who has been shamelessly and successfully pitching stories to me for a few years. This time he is the story. It was

ask me anything, warts and all, so we did.

He was born a Sallie, and never so much as whiffed alcohol, even though he’s been surrounded by what he calls the “sponsor’s product” all his working and sporting life.

No drink but there are demons. “People tell me I have an addictive personality. So who knows?” And there was the sister, who he says, embarrassed him over the years. “She was a drunk, she was addicted. She went on a methylated spirits binge and in the end it killed her.” Perhaps he fears the same weak gene lurks close. “If you are susceptible…?”

Hope and encouragement

In the same breath he talks proudly of the “celebrating and sharing” he’s conducted every Friday for 13 years. “The Recovery Services for those temporarily clean and sober – off the drugs and booze. We don’t cure, we give hope and encouragement when relapse is the biggest danger.” He has banned the word hopeless. “No-one’s hopeless.” But he has seen despair. And he tut-tuts again.

This is a soldier not without sin. He has been married

three times. He explains he was just unlucky in love until he met Susan. He talks proudly about her. “We were both Army Lieutenants during 10 wonderful years running Army churches.” Susan, he says, was the highlight during the heyday of his Army career. This was a man, who as a professional firemen would put out property fires and then, at shift’s end, slip into his Salvation Army kit to put out personal fires. His life has been busy and pressured.

He also, inadvertently, got tangled in one of the biggest issues facing churches today – gay rights. “One day my eldest daughter asked me if I was sitting down because I was about to get a shock.”

When he got his head around the fact one of his daughters was gay, he decided he would just continue to love her.

Nothing had changed. Laurie and Susan went to her wedding in London. But bigotry dies runs deep. “A fine Christian man asked me to conduct his funeral. But when he found out I had a gay daughter and I hadn’t condemned her, he didn’t want me to do his funeral anymore.” He just shrugs off disappointment and fixes on the positive.

Like when he was running the local Red Shield fundraiser, Tauranga was the second best ‘giving’ place in the country. ”Something to be proud of.”

Also from his skite sheet – while mission coordinator, which he says is “just introducing people to Jesus” he got 50 people on board. “Should have been more. That’s what drives me.” We raise a glass of lemonade to you Laurie.

Hunter Wells

Aotearoa Immunisation Week

29 May–4 June

Being immunised is one of the best things we can do to protect ourselves, our whānau, and our communities.

Head to Rangiora, Health Hub

• Immunisations for pēpi (babies), tamariki (children), hapū māmā (pregnant women)

• Immunisations against measles, and COVID-19 for everyone

• Flu shots for Māori and Pacific people 55+, and everyone 65+

FREE, walk-ins welcome.

Open 6 days Mon – Sat, 9 am–5:30 pm

Fraser Cove Shopping Centre 219-261 Fraser St, Tauranga

Or visit your doctor or local pharmacy. bopdhb.health.nz/immsweek Prioritise

A backdrop of street art for the senior soldier. Tauranga’s Laurie Bell beneath the arches of the Harbour Bridge. Photos: John Borren.

Chilli needs a chance!

Hi, my name is Chilli! I’m a big girl and full of energy. I do well on lead walks, however I keep trying to go up and say ‘hello’ to everyone. So I need teaching how to focus on my human on the walks.

Please, no poultry.

I love chasing them, but I keep getting into trouble when I do. So it’s best if there is none in my new home. What I really love is playing with

the little humans. They are so much fun, and I’ve learnt how to be gentle with them because some of them are smaller than me!

The most wonderful thing to do is snuggle up with humans on the couch. And when it’s bedtime, I’ll go into my crate and sleep all night.

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

What is your impact on the planet?

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

Ōtūmoetai College

Year 13 student

Karlia Taylor recently gave FutureFit a go to add to her toolbox of positive climate efforts.

“Although I am already conscious of my impact on the environment, this tool makes it easier for me to put thoughts into action and therefore I think it is a big opportunity to grow,” says Karlia.

“I like the way the tool shows numerical values of how much you are reducing your carbon footprint with every action you take, because it feels fulfilling measuring your progress.”

Easy actions to reduce a carbon footprint can include hanging washing out on a clothesline instead of using a dryer, replacing older lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs, composting food waste, or going dairy-free for a day.

Karlia says others should try FutureFit because it makes it easy to choose sustainable habits. “It’s important for everyone to make these small changes because only as a team can we combat the potentially irreversible climate change we are facing today.

“I have hope for the future because if we all set small targets of carbon reduction by simply hanging out the washing instead of using the dryer or eating less meat more often, we as a collective can catalyse change.”

Visit www.futurefit.nz to find out your carbon footprint, discover actions, and set goals to assist you in making small changes for a better future.

Karlia Taylor sees FutureFit as a great guide to develop sustainable habits. Photo: supplied.

Baypark welcomes new venue partner Mercury

Hello, yellow.

Tauranga’s premier venue for live music and entertainment, sports and recreation, conferences, meetings, shows, and exhibitions has a new partner – Mercury. And a new name – Mercury Baypark. And a new favourite colour – yellow. Everything else, however, is exactly the same. Mercury Baypark Arena is where you will find social netball, football, basketball and volleyball leagues, community programmes like Tumble Time, and large indoor events like this weekend’s PROJECT hip hop dance competition.

Mercury Baypark Stadium is where you will find family-friendly entertainment such as the recent Grand Finale of the Valvoline D1NZ National Drifting Championship. And Mercury Baypark Open Air will continue

to be the home for big outdoor festivals and events, like Polo in the Bay. Same, same – but with a new name, and a splash of yellow to match.

Mercury bought Trustpower’s retail business in May last year and this winter is bringing the best of both brands together for customers under the Mercury brand, while continuing to be a supporter of the Bay of Plenty community.

“We are delighted to have Mercury as our new venue partner at Baypark,” Bay Venues Chief Executive Chad Hooker said.

“Mercury is an innovative and forwardlooking company that works with a wide range of New Zealand communities to make great things happen. This is a perfect fit for us,” he said.

“Here at Baypark, we also strive to make great things happen for our communities.”

“Mercury is an innovative and forward-looking company that works with a wide range of New Zealand communities to make great things happen. This is a perfect fit for us.”

“Our purpose is to connect people through exceptional experiences and every day those connections bring a certain special energy to this venue. Welcome aboard, Mercury,” Hooker said.

Bay of Plenty-based Mercury General Manager Customer Operations, Fiona Smith, said Mercury is thrilled to be adding a splash of yellow to Baypark.

“We will continue the good work Trustpower started, investing in and being an active supporter of Bay of Plenty communities through sponsorships like Mercury Baypark and partnerships.”

WHAT’S ON?

Supporting households with the cost of living

At the heart of Budget 2023 is a cost of living package designed to ease the pressure on households.

I’ve been out and about making sure people in the Bay hear about this cost of living support and I wanted to share a bit more information here too.

Budget 2023 provides practical cost of living support across some of the core expenses facing Tauranga families, like childcare,

healthcare, transport. Millions of people will pay less for these services as a result.

We’re helping with health costs by removing prescription charges for medicines. Removing the $5 co-payment will mean about three million Kiwis will no longer have to worry about the costs of collecting their medication. This

will make a real difference for households, particularly those who have multiple prescriptions to fill on a regular basis.

We’re significantly reducing the cost of early childhood education for parents by extending 20 hours ECE to two-year-olds, adding to the existing three-to-fiveyear-olds. We’re also extending our Healthy School Lunches programme, which delivers more than one million free lunches to students each week. For families with two children, it’s estimated the scheme saves, on average, $60 per week.

To help with transport costs, we’re providing free fares on buses, trains and ferries for children aged five to 12 and half-price discounts for all passengers aged 13-24 from July this year. Free fares for kids under 13 could see savings of $30 a week for whānau with two children.

Our health system really is in crisis

New Zealand’s health system is in crisis, with a severe shortage of nurses and midwives contributing to ballooning wait lists, delays accessing treatment, and dangerously overcrowded emergency departments.

We can’t stand by and allow our hard-working frontline to continue to burnout, and for sick and injured New Zealanders to languish on wait lists. A National government will encourage more New Zealanders to study nursing or midwifery and stay in the country.

To do this, National will pay nurses’ and midwives’ student loan repayments up to a total of $4500 a year for the first five years after

graduating, provided they remain working in their profession in New Zealand. Covering student loan repayments for five years means a typical registered nurse or midwife would see an increase in their after-tax take-home pay of $87 a week.

Across a five-year period, they would be up to $22,500 better off.

National will also make New Zealand more competitive in the global competition for skilled workers by allowing qualified overseas nurses and midwives to come here on a sixmonth temporary visa, without a job offer, to look for work and to bring their immediate family members with them.

A relocation support scheme will offer up to 1000 qualified overseas nurses and midwives relocation grants worth up to $10,000 each to support their move to New Zealand. National will deliver more nurses and midwives so our hardworking frontline feel supported, and Kiwis can access the healthcare that they deserve.

Wild Whiskers Tauranga is calling for people to stop categorising cats into two groups of either friendly or feral, after some cats nearly came under gunfire.

WWT specialises in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of stray and wild kittens under eight weeks old. The charity organisation spoke out on Facebook after a North Canterbury hunting competition was announced in April, calling for children under the age of 14 to shoot feral cats. Receiving nationwide backlash, the competition was canned.

Four groups

“There are actually four groups; companion, stray (lost/ abandoned), stray (managed eg: colony) and feral,” says WWT

Correct categories for felines

rescue coordinator Sharna Asplin.

Sharna says you don’t usually see feral cats, just signs of them unless they are sick or injured. “This is because feral cats do not depend on people to survive.

“Whereas, stray cats do depend on people, regardless of whether said stray cat is just lost or living in a colony.”

Sharna says this is why the four categories are important because it is likely it would’ve been stray, not feral cats, shot in the competition.

“It is almost impossible to tell the difference between an owned, stray, or feral cat – even when they are contained in a humane trap.”

The number of feral cats in the Bay of Plenty is almost impossible to tell, according to WWT.

However Sharna does say: “Based on our experience and trapping numbers, the issue is so big it’s unfathomable”.

She stands by Trapping, Neutering and Returning as the best way to manage healthy feral cats. “TNR, where there is minimal risk to wildlife, is our preferred way to manage this group of cats, due to a scientifically-recognised phenomenon known as The Vacuum Effect.

Step up

“However, humane euthanasia after trapping and evaluation is not the worst outcome for some.” Sharna says until councils and government step up, “the work rescues, such as ourselves [at WWT], do will continue to only be drop in the ocean”. “The ‘ambulance at the bottom of the cliff’ approach that rescues provide is simply not enough. We desperately need collaboration and involvement from ‘up high’.”

Georgia Minkhorst

Cats can suffer from arthritis too!

Arthritis is not just a condition that affects humans; our feline companions can also suffer from this degenerative joint disease.

Feline arthritis is a progressive condition that primarily affects the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. The disease occurs when the protective cartilage within the joints begins to break down, causing inflammation and discomfort.

Cats with arthritis can exhibit symptoms such as difficulty jumping up and

down on furniture, reduced activity, difficulty running and chasing moving objects, napping more often, sore and stiff joints – especially after lying down for a while, don’t enjoy being picked up, less social with people and other pets in household.

Treatment of arthritis in cats may include pain relief, weight management, diet, and exercise.

If you suspect your cat may be showing signs of arthritis, book a consultation with your vet to discuss the next best steps to help your feline friend live a long, happy, pain-free life.

Wild Whiskers Tauranga rescue coordinator Sharna Asplin. Photo: supplied.

The Cosmetic Clinic is opening at The Lakes!

Looking and feeling good is going to be made that much easier with The Cosmetic Clinic opening the doors to a second Bay of Plenty clinic next week!

The Bayfair-based clinic has been owned, operated and managed by sisters Katie and Charlotte Mead during the past five years and has seen plenty of love for their cosmetic and skincare services. “We’ve just had a really overwhelming response to our services. We’re the only branch in Tauranga, so we’re basically catering to demand,” says Katie, who has been in the beauty industry for 10 years.

On the Wednesday, June 7,

Katie and Charlotte will open their second clinic at Tauranga Crossing in The Lakes “We’re really big on results-driven, affordable treatment with a really high level of client care. All of the treatments that we do, have been tested as a case study

many times before in Australia before they launch in New Zealand. So everything we do, we can guarantee a result.”

The Cosmetic Clinic also offers their own exclusive skincare ranges, including the Balense range. “It was actually designed and created results-wise to coincide with the treatments that we offer,” says Charlotte.

Alongside their highly qualified team, who supervise treatments, Katie and Charlotte say they are at the forefront of their business. “We’re a team of beauty therapists, registered nurses, and the clinic is overseen by a doctor. People are in really safe hands as soon as they step in the door.”

The benefits of a good multi-supplement

A good multi supplement is one of the best health investments you can make. This will ensure your body has the nutrients needed to stay healthy.

Georgia Minkhorst

– Part

1

Unfortunately most are formulated as a one-a-day dose. This means many bulkier compounds either omit or include meaningless amounts. As an experienced formulator, I know it’s impossible to provide sufficient nutrients in a one-a-day product.

A good multi should have the important major and trace minerals. I have real concern about low levels of critical minerals such as selenium, zinc, copper and manganese – these are needed to build antioxidant defence systems.

Your multi should have a full B vitamin complex – in particular B6, folic acid and B12 – because they combine to reduce homocysteine, which is a risk factor for heart disease and some forms of dementia. It should have meaningful levels of vitamin D for immunity.

Regulations governing vitamin D in supplements are archaic so we should add extra Vitamin D in winter. Vitamin E is the most important fat soluble antioxidant. This should be in the natural d-alpha tocopherol form – not the less effective synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol. Finally, it should contain potent antioxidants –especially grape seed extract.

My preferred grape seed extract OPC (short for oligomeric proanthocyanidins) is the wellresearched and patented NZ-made Oxifend. OPC is unique among antioxidants because it actively scavenges oxygen and nitrogen radicals. It also has an affinity to collagen, making it a great cardiovascular protector.

I know of no single botanical ingredient to have such a positive impact on health. For more information, give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz

You can read my newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

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

Sisters Katie and Charlotte Mead are excited to open The Cosmetic Clinic at The Lakes on June 7. Photos: supplied.

Abundant Health

Supplements for skin nourishment – do we need them?

Do we need to supplement our diet to get nourishment for healthy and youthful skin?

I feel first you need to look at what you eat, when you eat, where your food is sourced, and how it is stored, packaged and prepared. Then look at stresses you’re under, your health and your stage of life. Once these factors are covered you can make an informed decision on whether you’re adequately fulfilling your

body’s nutrient requirements. Remember your skin is the largest organ of your body, so will often get the last of the nutrients from food. A healthy skin starts from within. Skin health and nutrients go hand-inhand, so we often encounter a skin condition that’s manifested from a lack of nutrition.

One very important nutrient is water. We’re continuously losing it, so we must replenish it. Dehydration is often a major factor to address in skincare.

Other skin conditions we encounter are dryness, eczema, psoriasis, impaired barrier function – your skin’s own natural protective layer – and inflammation. We carry fantastic supplement ranges to help clients balance these conditions.

The skin requires Omega 3 to restore its barrier. The body

Enhancing smiles and quality of life

Dentures have long been a reliable solution for patients facing tooth loss, enabling them to regain their ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

In the realm of denture services, Clinical Denture Technicians play a crucial role in crafting personalised and high quality dentures. CDTs offer a comprehensive range of services, encompassing both clinical assessment and denture construction. This allows them to take a holistic approach to denture provision, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.

The expertise of CDTs lies in their ability to interact with patients, conducting clinical examinations and taking precise measurements to create custom-made dentures that fit comfortably and function optimally. Their in-depth knowledge of oral anatomy, occlusion, and aesthetics enables them to design dentures that restore missing teeth

but also enhance facial appearance and promote proper oral function. CDTs work closely with patients from selecting the most suitable denture materials to achieving the desired tooth shade and shape. CDTs ensure each denture is tailor-made to suit the patient’s unique characteristics.

In New Zealand CDTs adhere to strict professional standards and regulations. They undergo rigorous training and education, and keep up-to-date with advancements in denture technology and techniques.

The impact of CDT services on individuals’ lives cannot be overstated. Beyond restoring smiles, dentures significantly improve oral health, enabling patients to enjoy a balanced diet, speak clearly, and regain their self-confidence. The ability to eat comfortably and smile confidently can have a profound effect on one’s overall wellbeing and quality of life.

doesn’t produce Omegas so they need to be taken in food. If we’re don’t get sufficient quantities, we have problems.

With acne and congested skins, good levels of spirulina and kelp help

healing and provide cleansing and detoxifying. Also remember – aging is a decline in the skin’s function so ensure supply nutrition with powerful antioxidants to support hydration, increase elasticity and regenerate cells.

news and views for the over 55s

Enjoy quality, security and affordability

The next stage of Freedom Lifestyle Village’s Rotorua Lakes village on Pukehangi Rd is underway.

With 22 high-quality homes complete and a further 22 under construction this over-50s village is expected to have all 194 homes fully occupied by 2025.

CEO Steve Smits-Murray says the Freedom model allows residents to share in capital gains on their homes – they can sell on the open market and keep the capital gains, excluding exit cost. “It allows people to protect their nest eggs.”

Offering all the benefits and security of a village, Rotorua Lakes offers a carefree lifestyle for ‘young’ over-50s. The semi-rural 8.8ha site provides a sense of spaciousness, access to other main centres – and plenty to see, do and enjoy. Interest for this village has come from Pāpāmoa, Hamilton, Cambridge, Ōmokoroa, Auckland and as far as Wellington, with feedback being very positive with most appreciating the affordability of the location.

Rotorua Lakes Village manager Aisha Okeremi says her team is proud to offer this new alternative that allows over-50s to downsize into affordable, low-maintenance accommodation.

“The rural outlook and beautiful Mount Ngongotaha provide a picturesque backdrop, and each villa is positioned to take full advantage of the sun and fantastic views. The village is nestled in one of Rotorua’s top suburbs, with easy access to shopping and services.”

All homes are architecturally designed, singlelevel, fully insulated, fitted with energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and affordable.

An entry-level one-bedroom Terrace starts at $345,000. Three-bed homes start at $639,000. Upon completion, Rotorua Lakes Village will have a resort-style village centre, library, gym, bar, pool table area, pétanque terrain, secure motorhome carpark and wash-down area, a selfdrive van for residents, and a recreation shed. The team welcomes enquiries, and show homes are open 10am-4pm Monday-Friday or 11am3pm weekends.

OVER 50s AFFORDABLE RESORT STYLE LIVING

Each home at Rotorua Lakes village is architecturally designed, single-level and fully insulated. Photo: supplied.

Each home is positioned to take full advantage of the sun. Photo: supplied.

Club captain Alf Weston doing what he loves – pétanque!

Bayfair Pétanque Club is encouraging locals to give the game a go!

Even if you’ve never held a boule before – pétanque is not only effortlessly learnable but also offers a fantastic opportunity for socialising, says club captain Alf Weston.

“It can be competitive, but we tend to have a lot of relaxed banter and chat,” says Alf. “We do hand out prizes, so we recognise achievement – but that’s not the focus.”

The club plays twice a week at Bayfair Reserve on Russley Drive – on Tuesdays and Thursdays

from 12.45pm. “We play three games, which takes a couple of hours. I come over to the Mount from Matua and we have people from Welcome Bay, Pāpāmoa and all over Tauranga,” says Alf.

“Because we play in the middle of the day, it lends itself to retirees and is also great for people with limited mobility.”

The club prides itself on being a welcoming and diverse community of players, says Alf.

“We have a school teacher who plays in the holidays who’d be in her thirties and our older members are in their eighties,” says Alf. “What I like is that it’s a low impact sport. It’s good exercise without realising it –

new villa stage

you’re walking, bending over, and throwing a 700-gram boule.”

During summer, the club arranges twilight pétanque matches in the evenings, and also hosts social events and dinners throughout the year.

“We do provide boules if people want to come along to try it out. “We can talk new players through how to play,” says Alf. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously. It’s simply good, easy fun with a great group of people.”

To enquire about Bayfair Pétanque Club and playing pétanque, phone Alf on 021 175 9282.

Photo: John Borren.

Debbie Griffiths

Be sure of your facts

Jim Bunny’s column titled ‘Naysayer central – kāo!’ in The Weekend Sun, May 19, 2023, doesn’t deserve a response other than to say the first thing a journalist should do is be sure of their facts before bursting into print.

Firstly, the Tauranga Croquet Club has many more members than 75.

Secondly, it is not the Croquet Club

and all the other domain users dictating about what happens to the domain – it is four unelected Commissioners and a few Tauranga businessmen dictating that the ratepayers will fork out for their vanity project – not just in the coming few years but forever to cover the estimated $15 million a year (at today’s figures) to cover the cost of maintaining the ‘Boutique Stadium’.

G L Benvie, Matua.

Is your finger on the polls?

Why the Domain should stay the same!

Re: In response to Jim Bunny’s column ‘Naysayer central – kāo!’ published on page 2, Friday, May 19, 2023.

Jim’s first point is that opponents of the boutique stadium are against change. Nothing could be further from the truth. The people who oppose the stadium include those who willingly gave of their free time to change Tauranga for the better by constructing and maintaining the speedway, athletic track, croquet club, tennis club and other venues. These are world class venues. These will be destroyed because of the desire by a die-hard minority to construct a boutique stadium at a huge cost to the ratepayers.

In my opinion Priority One’s own business case says the costs of the boutique stadium outweigh the benefits, and that does not even factor in the hundreds of millions of dollars of relocating the affected sporting venues. The revenue streams in the business case are a fantasy and include such assumptions that the boutique stadium will host every home Bay of Plenty NPC game for the first 10 years of its operation.

The second point Jim Bunny makes is that “it’s always the loud complainers – not the quiet majority –that gets heard”. Jim, you and 24% of the population are not the majority. In a recent poll commissioned by Tauranga Ratepayers Alliance 59% of the population oppose the boutique stadium and the relocation of the existing sporting venues. Only 24% of the population support the boutique stadium project.

Jim’s third point is to thank God for the Commissioners “who can see beyond partisan politics and still get stuff, like a People’s Stadium done”.

Jim, 30,000 New Zealanders sacrificed their lives in wars so that we can choose who governs us. We are being taxed without representation. Jim, you are saying that the people of Tauranga must pay for what you and a minority want without having a democratic say in the matter. You and the minority don’t know what is best for us and the end does not justify the means.

Jim’s fourth point is to accuse opponents of the boutique stadium of emotive language. Jim the council has already been warned about their spending

by Audit New Zealand in respect of roading and civic centre spending. The boutique stadium project is about $168 million short at this time. Who pays that?

The council has undertaken to pay the cost of relocations which will cost additional hundreds of millions of dollars, which they don’t have. It is a reasonable opinion to hold that the relocations will not happen because there is not the finance to do so.

Jim’s fifth point is to attack the use of the Domain by current community users based on one visit in winter. Jim, 5000 people use the croquet club each year. The croquet club just hosted its second World Championships. The boutique stadium will never host a World Championship game because it will be too small. We carried out a survey of the use of the athletic track for one week in February and 4712 people used the track during a 70.5-hour period.

I note that no one was paying rugby, soccer, or league during your winter visit. When you were there did you consider where 15,000 people are going to park?

Jim, one last point, if you want a stadium, why not do what we did? Form a group of like-minded people, find a suitable location, raise the finance, construct the stadium, and do it all for free.

Garth Mathieson, Alliance Against the TCC Active Reserve Masterplans representative and Tauranga Millennium Track Trust trustee

Priority one CEO Nigel Tutt replies: “The business case uses many methodologies to assess viability; to focus on one of the measures is an attempt to mislead and fails to consider other points in the business case. For example, the case also outlined $778m in economic benefit to our growing region and many non-financial social and cultural benefits. Revenue streams have been assessed by independent professional consultants based on discussions with potential users.

“Unfortunately the poll Mr Mathieson refers to is also an attempt to mislead with the question failing to highlight the many positive attributes a multi-use community stadium at Tauranga Domain would bring for the city.”

Let’s protect these precious sites!

As a small child, I used to walk with my grandmother from The Strand to the Tauranga Domain to enjoy this peaceful part of the city. Many Tauranga-born residents and members of multigenerational Tauranga families

have a special attachment to a number of Tauranga sites that have historical, heritage and green values. So, I disagree with The Weekend Sun columnist Jim Bunny – and believe that people should be permitted to advocate

for the protection of these sites without being denigrated, without being characterised as ‘nay-sayers’ and without being labelled with the childish epithet of ‘Ngati whingers’.

Robin Rimmer, Welcome Bay.

The only way forward

Hello Jim Bunny. I just wanted to congratulate you on your opinion piece in The Weekend Sun newspaper. While many have skirted around the issue of the current negativity that lurks just below the service here in the Tauranga region, and in fact in many regions of New Zealand at the moment, you have not only lifted the lid a ‘squeak’, you have ripped it off entirely. The response heading your way will be swift and full of righteous anger, but I am sure you know that and are prepared for it.

Tauranga could be so much more and until we are able to open minds and help people understand that there is a bigger picture to consider and that their own small concerns and selfish agendas have to be put aside to allow grown up conversations and healthy, non-aggressive debate, we will remain in the current ‘rut’. Yes some of these hard decisions will ‘bite’ and will cause temporary upheaval and inconvenience but nothing worth doing ever comes without sacrifice and a little bit of short term pain. To share in the decision-making process, with a positive – not blinkered mindset –is the only way forward.

Why did I mention the stadium?

Your opinion will spark outrage but at least it will make people think, which is a good thing, especially for those, like me, who are in that silent majority whose voice is often drowned out by the ‘Naysayers’. Thank you and keep up the good work!

Victoria Allwood, Tauranga City.

You make me smile... Right on the money

Dear Jim, No matter how I’m feeling, I can always rely on your clever banter every week to make me smile. Thank you! With best wishes. Geralyn Finnegan.

Re: Page 2 Jim Bunny’s column ‘Ngati Whingers’ or just plain ‘rude’ published Friday, May 26, 2023. Great article and you are right on the money! Well done! Chris McAlpine, Tauranga City.

David Hallett, Mount Maunganui.

Churches Active In Our Community Audio Culture and... some new local music!

has now released his second album ‘Raise A Glass’. It is available online and you can get CDs via his Facebook page.

It’s often said: ‘It’s not what you know; it’s who you know’. And there’s some truth to that. There are certainly some plusses that come from the relationships we have. It may be an introduction to an acquaintance who turns out to be a loyal friend, satisfied customer, or a wise mentor. We’ve been designed to have relationships or connections with fellow human beings. Life always works better when we ensure we have good relationships in our lives, good connections that benefit both those we relate to and ourselves.

It’s because we were designed for relationship that we have an inner knowing, an inner awareness that we were also designed for a relationship with a higher power. Many people just have an upward relationship with God; in other words, it’s all directed from us to Him for what we can get out of it, it’s all about us. But there’s just three amazing words spoken by Jesus when He said: ‘I know them’. Is there someone in our life who really knows us? The good, the bad, the ugly, warts and all? They’re likely to be very special people, whom we trust because they’re trustworthy. We know they know all about us and we feel safe with that knowledge.

It’s a wonderful place to be. Completely understood, totally accepted, lovingly corrected, and fully supported.

Audio Culture, the website and self-proclaimed ‘noisy library of New Zealand music’, has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Audio Culture was founded in May 2013 as a means to archive and explore Kiwi music. In the past decade they’ve published almost 2000 pages documenting New Zealand’s musical history.

It is a brilliant and wide-ranging archive – originally the brain child of music legend Simon Grigg and with contributions from many of the country’s top music writers – that includes reviews, discographies, interviews, biographies, background articles, images, recordings, and music videos.

Any day now they’ll be announcing the results of their poll of Greatest Kiwi Album of All Time – and if you want to dive into a diverse and everchanging snapshot of the music scene, just have a glance at what’s on the front page.

Currently...

St Andrews Church,

FURTHER NOTICE Maunganui 10:45am you! S2214cbMount

It’s exactly that kind of relationship we can have with Jesus our living Saviour. He will vouch for me now and when it counts.

Stephen Whitwell, C3 City Church, Tauranga.

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BETH

Currently it includes various articles remembering Kiwi radio pioneer Barry ‘Dr Rock’ Jenkin, Headless Chickens and Midge Marsden interviews, a profile of Graeme Nesbitt, picks of 1980s Wellington nightclub songs, articles on Jenny Mitchell and Wayne Gillespie, and a choice of 10 New Zealand yodels. And, of course, much more; it is well worth exploring.

Ian Gilmour.

Old Friends Ian recorded a first album, ‘My Red Guitar’, at the same studio a couple of years back and once again I find myself impressed with his songwriting, which has certainly developed since his debut. These are mainly wistful songs of reminiscence – the opener ‘Old Friends’ is a perfect example – stories of mates and mentors Ian has known, filled with observations and references to the natural world, its birds, trees and customs.

There are a couple of heartfelt love songs, ‘Ours Is A True Love’ and the gentle waltz of ‘The Ice In My Whisky’, while ‘Three R's And A Rifle’ opens with bird calls and natural sound effects before name-checking Tui and Kereru in the story of a book-writing bushman friend of Ian’s who left school at 15.

Musically, ‘Raise A Glass’ sits in a laid-back folk-

SABBATH 10AM OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

SABBATH 10AM

OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

021 768 043

021 768 043

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz

And on to a couple of local releases. Firstly, and I’ll be coming back to them as they release more, Crooked Finger is an indie pop band from Mount Maunganui, comprising Sandra Muir (vocals, guitar), Phil Duncan (drums) and Steve Calvert (bass), along with lead guitarist Simon Mottram and keyboard player Patrick Gibbons, who gives the band its name due to severe arthritis. I am assured that his fingers are indeed very crooked.

The band first recorded and released a few songs in 2021 and have now taken the leap from home recording to a professional studio, working with Even Peters at the Mount’s 11b Studio. The first two songs recorded there, ‘Pay Attention’ and ‘Not That You Would Say’, are catchy little numbers concerning respectively creativity and suicide, are now on Spotify with videos on YouTube, and there are more songs partly recorded and nearly ready to go.

Across town singer-songwriter Ian Gilmour has been busy at Whakamarama’s Boatshed Studio and

country tradition, producer Nigel Masters using a variety of acoustic instruments – guitars, piano, strings – to orchestrate the songs and add to Ian’s acoustic guitar, harmonica and mandolin. Nigel's trademark ‘Knopfler-style’ electric guitar provides colour while Richard Coad pops in from Katikati to provide tasteful dobro. The arrangements, at first listen, are deceptively simple, then slowly reveal considerable depth and complexity.

Ian isn’t the greatest singer in the world and I don’t expect he has any plans to perform the songs live. But his plain approach gives these stories a straightforward and effecting honesty. With the instrumentation and Ian’s evocative turn of phrase these are thoughtful songs that can paint pictures for you, of New Zealand and its landscape and people.

Crooked Finger.

PROJECT 2023 at Mercury Baypark Arena

One of New Zealand’s largest and most respected street dance events is returning to Mount Maunganui this weekend.

PROJECT is a youth hip hop dance competition that attracts crews from around Aotearoa. The event, in its 14th year, is at Mercury Baypark Arena on June 3-4.

Event director Sarah Martin says street dance is a great vehicle to empower young people “to believe in themselves and their future”.

Believe

“It can grow them in all areas of their lives – mentally, emotionally and physically – and helps them to be healthy and fit. Our young people learn to make good choices for life when they

believe in themselves and they can see a way forward.”

PROJECT began when Sarah was teaching at Te Puke High School and asked the dance crew if they’d like to enter a national competition. “They didn’t feel they were ready for that level and so I created PROJECT as an entry-level competition for people to gain experience.

Nurtures

“PROJECT nurtures up-andcoming dancers through the competition process, which can be very daunting. This experience empowers dancers to go on to compete at bigger competitions with confidence from having had a positive and supportive experience.”

Sarah says the first year of PROJECT saw many young

dancers take to the stage for the first time. “Their involvement had positive flow-on effects, with improvements in their behaviour and social interactions at school and in the community.”

The event has grown steadily since – in participant numbers and reputation. The first event in 2010 had nine crews and 70 dancers. Last year, there were 91 crews and almost 1000 dancers, as well as 2700 spectators.

“The Saturday still caters for entry-level and novice dancers and includes free dance workshops with the judges and these are open to the public,” says Sarah.

“Sunday is when some of NZ’s best dancers compete –including world champions The Royal Family Dance Crew and Identity Dance Company.”

Aussie play premieres in Tauranga

An Australian play’s New Zealand premiere in Tauranga this month offers a high quality, wellwritten, humorous take on country life across the Tasman via five local lady actors in a black box set.

Yes, ‘The Appleton Ladies Potato Race’ premieres at 16th Ave Theatre on Saturday, June 10, and runs for two weeks via 12 performances – so grab tickets now and get ready for a cracker! Inspired by true events, Melanie Tait’s affectionate Australian play is an effervescent, amusing and big-hearted tale about women taking action and showing the world there’s more than one way to win a race!

Funny

Tauranga director Dennis Fenwick first read the play two years ago. “One thing for me is when you read a play the first time and can already visualise it on-stage – that’s a good play. This one I could!

“It’s extremely well-written, it’s funny without playing the gag...it’s very quintessentially Australian in its humour and has some really interesting back stories – but none of those interfere with the story. Instead, they give it colour and make it real.

“And we, in Tauranga, get to do the first performance of it in New Zealand!”

The cast has been rehearsing for five weeks, with a support team wrapped around them.

Visual

“They’re doing an amazing job – the actresses were scripts down on week two. This means we’ve been able to evolve the play to the extent where we’re beginning to own it as a performance piece.”

Dennis says the set is very, very simple. “It’s what theatres calls ‘black box’. I like directing this style

because the actors work hard to give visual cues about location – such as a bar, hair salon, doctor’s surgery etc – which allows the audience to create their own image around it, kind of like reading a book. And it’s great theatre – it really is!” As such, Dennis encourages Tauranga to book tickets early – as they’re sure to sell out! ‘The Appleton Ladies Potato Race’ is on show at 16th Avenue Theatre from June 10-24. Purchase tickets at: https://www.iticket.co.nz Merle Cave

Dancers travel from across the nation to take part. There are crews from Kaikohe in the north, to Christchurch in the south, and a strong contingent from Auckland.

Different

“PROJECT is different from other competitions because dance is the main thing,” says Sarah. “It is not a qualifier, so people come to celebrate their love of dance, to

support each other, and appreciate the creativity that people bring.”

The audience also brings plenty of noise, encouraged by emcee Hadz Pouesi, who has a long history in the street dance scene himself, having won a gold medal at the world champs in 2008.

This year at PROJECT, the open crews – junior, varsity, adult, mega crews – will battle it out for more than $5000 in prize money.

Actors Geraldine Broderick, Penny Guy.

Photo: supplied.

The Lynx, BBI and Crux dance crews in action at PROJECT last year. Photos: supplied.

Saturday 3rd June

Art in the Park Original art for sale. Weather permitting. 9am - 4pm. Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. Tauranga Society of Artists 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 - Pétanque

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

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

Free Weekly Community Meals

Every Thursday 11:30am to 1pm. Every Saturday 4:30pm to 6pm. 45 Cliff Rd, Tauranga Provided by Under the Stars, a registered charity. Showers/toiletries/clothing also available. Buzzycuts Barber onsite Thursday fortnightly.

Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd

1.45pm

Katikati Toy Library Familyfocused 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 East Quarter Open Day Explore this brand-new community in Papamoa East, family fun activities, music, coffee, food, and a chance to learn about the new The Sands town centre. Saturday, June 3rd, 10am2pm, Bill Miller Drive 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 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 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 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

Tauranga Social Dance Club

Sequence Dance Sat 3rd June

7-10pm Wesley Church Hall 100 13th Ave Good music, supper & raffles All welcome

Enq Ph Jan 576 3455

Te Puke Scottish Society

Sequence/Ballroom Dance, Saturday, 17 June, Te Puke War Memorial Hall, 7.00-10.30pm. Live band, light supper, raffles. Entry $7. Contact Valerie 573 7093

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 4th June

Boules - Pétanque 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

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

Enjoy Travel? Travel to Canada this September and be home-hosted! Friendship Force is world-wide with a Club in Tauranga. Ph Jonathan 572 2091, Dianne 027 249 9859. Farmers Market - Mount Mainstreet Every Sunday 9am-1pm rain or shine! Te Papa o Nga Manu Porotakataka (Phoenix Park). www.mountmainstreet.nz

Falun Dafa Exercises Move from chaos to calm on Sunday mornings, using this free to learn, mind/ body practice. For locations call/ Text Judy 021 0425 398 https://en.falundafa.org

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]

10am-4pm. Arts and Crafts Centre, 177 Elizabeth St, Tauranga. Contact Jan 07 542 0998

Otumoetai Car Boot Sale

Otumoetai College Carpark. Sellers

7.30am. Buyers 8.00am. Sellers $10 a space. Contact Brian 0211 1228735 or Bevan 027 4612127

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

Psychic Cafe Spiritual Centre

Greerton Community Hall -

First and Third Sunday every month. Doors open 6.30pm, starts 7.00pm. $20 then everything FREE: Over 20 practitioners! Psychics, Healers, Refrehments

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

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. Phone 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 5th June

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

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”

Creative Bre Tauranga Every Mon 9.30am and the 2nd & 4th Thurs 7pm. Learn new skills, knitting, crochet, spinning, dyeing, weaving and felting. 177 Elizabeth St, Tauranga. Ph Rosanne 07 562 3969 Free Public Advocacy Service Need help with an agency?

Let us advocate for you! Free clinics held weekly: Mondays: Merivale Community Ctr 1-2pm Tuesdays: Greerton Library 1:303pm Thursdays: Welcome Bay Community Ctr 1-2:30pm

Greerton Garden Club Greerton Garden Club meets 2nd Monday each month at St. James Church Hall, Pooles Road, at 1pm. Visitors Welcome. Phone 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. Phone Karen 576 0443

Katikati Bowling Club Mixed 2 x 4 x2. Reporting time 9.15am

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 12-304.00pm. Visitors and beginners welcome (Free teaching available).

Tauranga South Mahjong. Ph Jill 027 4769 440 / 5430390

Pickleball Mt Maunganui Mount Pickleball Club meets Monday and Wednesday mornings at Mount Sports Centre or Baypark. Paddles and balls provided. Calendar on Facebook. 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

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

Tuesday 6th June

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

Free Public Advocacy Service

Need help with an agency?

Let us advocate for you! Free clinics held weekly: Mondays: Merivale Community Ctr 1-2pm

Tuesdays: Greerton Library 1:303pm Thursdays: Welcome Bay Community Ctr 1-2:30pm

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

Line Dancing Tauranga RSA Tues 5.30-7pm. All levels $5. All welcome 07 578 9654

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,art hritics,recovery from accidents and illness. Strength, coordination & balance. Jennifer 027 206 0776, or 571 1411

Scrabble Love of words and crosswords rock our boats. Meet 9:15am Tauranga Citz Club 13th Ave and Cameron. 3 games. Finish 12-30. All welcome. Ph 5783 606

Social Beginner Dance Group

Commencing Tues, 20 June, 8-9pm, Welcome Bay Primary School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Road. Ballroom/ Latin/Rock&Roll. Just come along on the night Ph Sonia 027 322 1786

Table Tennis Papamoa Club night 7-9pm Tuesdays, Papamoa College Gym. $5 adult $4 student. All abilities welcome. John 021 038 6025

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. Ph Carol 022 639 2411

U3A Beachside Meeting Public meeting Tuesday 6th June at Gordon Spratt Reserve starting at

10am. Joanna Oh and Skye Colonna from Tauranga city Libraries are guest speakers.

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 7th June

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-get-over-it Text 021 0274 2502

Age Concern Walking Group Meet at 10am 7th Sulphur Point off Merrilies Rd. 14th Chester St, off Cambridge Rd. 21st Kulim Park, Bureta. 28th Papamoa Plaza, Gravatt Rd bus stop. 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 - Pétanque Omanu Pétanque keep active with a low impact sport play Wednesday and Sunday at 1.30pm Bayfair Reserve Russley Dr Omanu

PÃtanque 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

Cards Cribbage Our friendly Cribbage group meet every Wednesday 12.30pm for 1pm start at Greerton RSA, Cameron Rd. New members very welcome. Contact Jill 021 160 6143

Coffee/Conversation GroupBrookfield Age Concern Tauranga holds a friendly Coffee and Conversation Group at St Stephens Church, 9 Brookfield Terrace, 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. Ph 021 225 5981

English Conversation Class

Language Brew - Alternate Wednesdays starting 10th

May 2. Conversation

Thursdays VenueMulticultural Tauranga at the Historic Village - 10 am to noon

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. Carousel Triples 7pm

Names in book. (Ecclesfield Trophy)

Kevin 543 4044

Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd.

Mixed Roll-ups 12.45-3pm

Marching for Leisure A noncompetitive 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

Quiz Night Tauranga RSA Wednesday

Evenings 7pm $3 per person. All welcome 07 578 9654

Scottish Country Dancing Mt

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

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

Geoffrey 544 0839

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 Yvonne Horsfall

Ph 07 572 0927 / 027 478 4519

Tauranga Midweek Tramping Group Franklin Road-Dalyâs Clearing Track -Mangakino -Deams track loop. Grade moderate. Contact Jane 021 766 232

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

Thursday 8th June

Adult Social Ballroom/Latin Dance

Join us in June. Free Beginner Dance Lessons. Every Thursday 7:30pm at Club Mt. Maunganui. Dean Smith

Ph 021 230 3187 www.udance2.co.nz

Just come along

Boules - Pétanque 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

English Conversation Class Language

Brew - Alternate Wednesdays starting 10th May 2. Conversation Thursdays

Venue - Multicultural Tauranga at the Historic Village - 10 am to noon

Free Public Advocacy Service Need help with an agency? Let us advocate for you! Free clinics held weekly:

Mondays: Merivale Community Ctr 1-2pm

Tuesdays: Greerton Library 1:30-3pm

Thursdays: Welcome Bay Community Ctr 1-2:30pm

Free Weekly Community Meals Every Thursday 11:30am to 1pm. Every Saturday 4:30pm to 6pm. 45 Cliff Rd, Tauranga Provided by Under the Stars, a registered charity. Showers/toiletries/ clothing also available. Buzzycuts Barber onsite Thursday fortnightly.

Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd

Rummikub 1-4pm, $3 entry

Keynotes Women’s Barbershop

Chorus Meet 7pm Wesley Hall, 100 13thAvenue. New singers welcome, age no barrier. Enjoy 4-part harmony, friendship and laughter. 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

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 9th June

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

Housie Housie at the Tauranga RSA Fridays from 12.30pm All welcome

07 578 9654

Katikati Bowling Club Mixed roll up. Reporting time 1.45pm. Visitors welcome. Coaching available. Social activities commence at 4pm.

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

Tauranga Vision Club Coffee Group 2nd Friday of each month (unless public holiday).

10-12pm. Visitors and member very welcome.

Ph 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.

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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, efficient, knowledgeable, highly qualified. 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 affordable 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, Black, Female, approximately 6 months old, Ohauiti.

Ref 579911

FOUND Cat, Grey and White, Male, approximately 5 months old, Welcome Bay. Ref 579940

FOUND Cat, Tabby and White, approximately 2 years old, Ohauiti. Ref 580092

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 finish. Ph Wayne 021 162 7052

HANDYMAN, section maintenance, lawns, decks, fencing, pergolas, painting, water blasting and odd jobs. Free quotes. Ph Rossco 027 270 3313 or 021 544 5911

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 Benefits exclusive to No 8 Tours. Our Brand New Catalogue jam-packed fill of tours is now available, don’t miss out. These include Extended Tours, Day Trips and Shows with a FREE Door to Door Service.

Francis

Dire ctor

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency wishes to advise that Maunganui Road southbound, from Bayfair roundabout to Exeter Street, will be closed from Wednesday 7 June 2023 until early spring.

During this period, there will be a signposted detour via Girven Road, Maranui Street and Sandhurst Drive. Maunganui Road resident access will be via Girven Road, Gloucester Road, Eversham Road and Exeter Street.

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

TO BAYFAIR LINK MAUNGANUI ROAD CLOSURE Houses Wanted for removal Great prices offered Call today: 07 847 1760 0 7 5 4 3 4 7 8 0 | l e g a cy f u n e ra l s c o n z @legacyfuneralsnz

Waka Kotahi thanks road users and local residents for their patience. the story alive.

Wearable Arts Wellington & Martinborough 22nd - 25th Sept 2023 - 4 Days. Springtime in Nelson 23rd-28th Sept 2023 - 6 Days.

Hawkes Bays Vineyards & Historic Homes 10th - 15th Oct 2023 - 6 Days. Tranz Alpine & Coastal Pacific Train Kaikoura. 11th - 16th Oct 2023 – 6 Days. Christchurch Opulent Architecture & Gardens 18th - 24th Jan 2024 - 7 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 – Lunch at Prince Albert – Thursday 22nd June – 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. Call us to book your seats today. Ph 572 4118

ZEALANDIER TOURS - Op Shopping – Wednesday 5th July –A fun day out - by request of some of you – but today let’s make op. shopping an Olympic Sport! We thought it would be fun to set you a few challenges while you are in search of your bargains. Call us to book your fun day out today. Ph 572 4118

ZEALANDIER TOURS – Celebrating Matariki – Tuesday 11th July – we will visit Tauranga Astronomical Society, learn a little bit more about Matariki, followed by a beautiful buffet lunch. Call us to book your seats today. Ph 572 4118

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