The Weekend Sun - 25 August 2023

She’s the reason

Today is Da odil Day – and if there’s one reason we should give generously to support the work of the Cancer Society this month, it’s this lovely lady here – Maggie Takawe.

Maggie was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in March 2022 and has been on a harrowing journey since then, ghting the

disease. Every step of the way during the last 18 months the Cancer Society has been supporting the Pāpāmoa resident and her family any way they can.

e society still supports her to this day. “ ey provide me with counselling, transport to treatments, massages. Initially

they were following up with me every two weeks to see how I was. ey also provided meals – they’re very supportive and always there if we need them.”

Maggie, who has been able to return to her work caring for others, is still on her journey. She asks the public to give

generously to the organisation who has cared for her in her time of need.

Look out for a street collector this Da odil Day. Or donate online at: da odilday.org.nz

Read Maggie’s story on pages 6-7.

Photo: John Borren.

Ltd

Cave Editorial: Letitia Atkinson, Alisha Evans, Rosalie Liddle Crawford, Taylor Rice, Georgia Minkhorst, Hunter Wells

Claire Rogers Editor:

Photography: John Borren. Publications Manager: Kathy

A salute to the great skiver

We called him ‘Mal’…short for ‘Malingerer’ or ‘Malady’ or ‘Mal-adjusted’. ‘Mal’ because he was always throwing ‘sickies’. He wore these labels shamelessly.

‘Sickies’ were the precursor to something called ‘duvet days’. One day Human Resources were looking for something to complicate, as they do if they’re not at a conference. ey seized on the ‘sickie’ – a proven and perfectly adequate concept of skiving – and gave it a new funky name and respectability.

‘Duvet Day’ – read ‘sickie’, read ‘mental health day’. Here it helps to learn to love Mal. He was the patron saint of sickies, duvet days and such skulduggery.

Fridays, or Mondays, or both, were Mal’s sick days of preference. He would often be struck down with a spontaneous cold, u, stomach upset, headache, or migraine; anything that would prevent him working, on either one, or perhaps both of those days. en he’d saunter back in to work Tuesday having made a miraculous, God-ordained recovery, before relapsing ursday and another no-show Friday.

An artform

Mal was delightfully bare-faced. And we loved him for it. A tall, talented, picture of good health who’d created an artform of falsifying and exaggerating symptoms of physical or mental illness to get paid time o work. Did it with impunity. Did it with style. He was a wonderful distraction from the newsroom’s daily diet of car crashes, death knocks and council agendas.

A colleague jokingly inquired of Mal’s health one Tuesday morning and he delivered a detailed account of night sweats, projectile vomiting, blocked colon and immovable mucus deposits.

It was hugely funny and disgusting in equal amounts. Mr Clever Dick colleague never inquired of Mal’s health again.

One day a surly suit from Human

Resources presented at Mal’s desk –dripping with attitude and wielding a sharpened pencil and clipboard. It was serious.

Did Mal know his recent absences were in violation of company policy? Did Mal want to see a written record of his absences and did Mal agree with “actions moving forward” like a doctor’s note for all absences.

No-one, including HR, got to know where Mal stood on these issues because he spiralled into a terminal sneezing, coughing and choking t. And before I could Google ‘Heimlich Manoeuvre’ through showers of Mal’s spittle, Mal had

provide a positive, productive workplace ethic. What a noble gesture! And it’s a chance for employees, that’s me, to rest and recover when I need it most.

So, got a sni e, ingrown toenail? en have a ‘Duvet Day’. Sometimes, all we need to recharge is quality ‘me time’ doing nothing.

Relaxing and lazing guilt-free is key.

I do it well, and long before it became fashionable. Eradicate pressure and stress whenever it threatens. Hide the phone. Do nothing about anything.

Meditate and light some scented candles. Suddenly ‘Duvet Day’ is sounding slightly weird.

Ditch the skinny jeans, pencil skirts and suits for a onesie, over-sized T or cashmere pyjamas; “clothing you will never want to get out of”.

Or, never want to get into.

Get in some snacks – falafel bites, dried fruit, nuts and fresh fruit. Surely euphemisms for a six-pack of IPA, two steak and cheese pies and sausage rolls.

excused himself and retired home to his sickbed. He was a great act. Some of us lived from pay cheque-topay cheque – Mal lived from sick leave entitlement-to-sick leave entitlement. He could only a ord for his ushes and fevers, dyspepsia and diarrhoea to manifest once those entitlements had landed safely in his account each month. Now – we turn, albeit slightly, from Mal to ‘Duvet Day’.

Duvet days

Over the years I’ve accumulated stacks of sick leave. So now I’m seriously thinking of throwing a few ‘Mals’. ey can try docking my pay but you can’t take something away from nothing.

‘Duvet days’ require no prior notice –you just don’t go to work, for whatever reason. Glorious!

It’s a chance for companies to give back,

Curl up in front of TV with a drama, lm or new series on Net ix. at’s a euphemism for the Sky Sport channels.

Peak health

ey suggest comfort food – so ick through the yers from the local takeaway joints. Warm drinks are, it seems, the ultimate ‘Duvet Day’ comfort, a nice hot chocolate, tea or co ee. But if you really want ‘nice’ crack into your stash of single malts. Now that’s nice. Nap often, wake when you like. e company’s paying.

‘Duvet Day’ is a pampering day –manicures, pedicures, facials. Treat, indulge. Phone a friend, plan a trip, snuggle up; talk. It’s getting weird again. So Boss, block me in my allocation of ‘Duvet Days’. And while I’m squandering company time, I will salute Mal. I bet he’s still in peak health after years of sick days.

hunter@thesun.co.nz

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CBD business we have’: struggles

When the night is done at her family’s Turkish restaurant Seyda Coskun goes home, washes o the kebab oil from her shift and frets.

One of the remaining stores on Downtown Tauranga’s Devonport Rd, this is the harsh reality for those trying to make ends meet with a struggling business in a cost of living crisis. While passerbys see shop-fronts among ‘For Lease’ signs and construction sites – there’s nancial stress, waning hope and family burdens that toil within these businesses.

Turkish restaurant and family business Abrakebabra opened in 2008 on Devonport Rd. Abrakebabra’s manager Seyda Coskun says: “Back then the street was a lot more pro table”. “We actually existed back then. Years ago the environment was a lot more lifted. It was happy and people were more willing to spend money.” Now, the business is taking it “week-by-week”.

Seyda says the businesses is struggling with a lack of customers due to ongoing construction sites and lack of CBD parking.

“Our family is working far more hours and we’re not taking home pay cheques anymore because our sta need the pay cheques.” She says restaurant losses are 40-45 per cent some weeks. With nancial stresses and personal bills to pay, Seyda says it’s impossible to switch o from the business.

“It never goes away...most nights I’m just worrying because it’s a family business and it means a lot more than just working for another company. We are all we have. You go home, take a shower, and you wash all the oil and the kebab o you and just worry. It’s awful.”

Ongoing construction work on Devonport Rd

and Elizabeth St is a huge problem for downtown businesses, says Seyda. “We’re not getting any notices when parts of the road are all blocked o . ere is no compensation available...so we’re out of pocket.”

Devonport Rd’s construction sites include private developments and council projects.

Seyda says staggered construction would help foot tra c. “It’d be great if they could tackle one part of the city rst, even one half of the street, then the other.”

TCC general manager of city development and partnerships Gareth Wallis says: “While we will try to mitigate disruption where we can, we do need to balance it with making sure the transformation can take place as quickly as possible so we can get the heart of our city pumping again and local businesses can start bene ting from that”.

Seyda says the CBD parking situation is “damning” business on customer and sta fronts. “If customers can even nd a park, there’s then the parking charges themselves and they’re quite expensive. Our sta are leaving because they can’t – one, nd a park; and if they can it’s too expensive which is just damning all of our businesses again.”

Gareth says TCC has been “closely tracking” CBD parking availability. “Data from June 2023 shows, on average, only 50-60 per cent of on-street carparks are being used Monday-Friday. In parking buildings, during peak hours, no more than 70 per cent of carparks are used at any given time.” Among other council initiatives, Gareth says: “Short-term plans are also progressing to develop a temporary carpark at 160176 Devonport Rd”.

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

Abrakebabra owner Hayati Gurleyen among construction on Devonport Rd and Elizabeth St. Photo: Bob Tulloch.

Georgia Minkhorst

‘We are all

Film tickets on sale

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Mount car damage

Police are appealing for information from the public following multiple reports of damage to vehicles in Mount Maunganui on Saturday, August 19.

“We are aware of at least 10 vehicles reportedly being damaged in the area,” says a police spokesperson. “Investigations are being carried out and Police are working to identify and locate those responsible..”

Mount Maunganui Police would like to hear from anyone who may have information on this o ending. Information can be reported to Police on 105, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Please reference le number 230820/4425.

AIMS Games tra c warning

Tauranga residents are being warned to prepare for delays on the city’s streets next month. Zespri AIMS Games is taking place across Tauranga from Saturday, September 2, until Friday, September 8.

“Residents should expect some delays as the event typically brings more than 20,000 athletes and supporters to the city,” says a Tauranga City Counci statement. “A free park and ride service is being provided by TCC and Bay of Plenty Regional Council to help relieve congestion and encourage uptake in more sustainable transport. e service will travel from Mount Hot Pools to Gordon Spratt Reserve and return, stopping at Blake Park, Baywave and Mercury Baypark.”

High mortgage repayments

Mortgage repayments are eating up a large portion of Tauranga homeowners’ incomes, according to the latest CoreLogic Housing A ordability report.

Mortgage repayments as a percentage of gross annual average household income reduced from a peak of 53 per cent across the country to 49 per cent last quarter, but remains well above the long-term average of 38 per cent.

In Tauranga currently, 65 per cent of residents’ share of income is spent on mortgage repayments, up from the 51 per cent long term average between 2004 to 2023. CoreLogic NZ chief property economist Kelvin Davidson says the situation still looks pretty testing for new buyers.

Pawsome dog walk

Dog lovers are being urged not to let chilly mornings stop them from getting out for a wander.

Western Bay of Plenty animal services team leader Peter Hrstich is encouraging the canine community of every shape and size to bundle up warm and bring their pooch along for a fun walk on Saturday, September 2, meeting at Jubilee Park in Te Puke, from 9.30am.

“ e Katikati walk a few weeks back had a great turnout, so it shows people are still keen to get out, even if it is a bit chilly.”

e wait is nearly over for hundreds of Tauranga residents eager to see New Zealand’s largest pollution disaster story on the big screen.

e feature lm ‘Taking Back our Beach’, celebrating our community’s response to the MV Rena grounding in 2011, will be released at United Cinema Bayfair, on October 5 – the 12th anniversary of the disaster.

And bookings are open now.

Director Anton Steel and producer Rosalie Liddle Crawford have woven this story from 33 diverse interviewees, focusing on the ongoing impact of the tragedy on the Bay of Plenty community, and seeds of hope grown from it.

rough moments of tears and laughter, this 90-minute lm o ers closure to an event a ecting more than 8000 volunteers and countless more in the wider region.

Never-before-seem archival footage, amazing photos, re-enactments and computer-generated imagery bring our community’s stories to life, painting a picture of what interviewee and former Sun Media owner, the late Brian Rogers, says was “a great moment in human history”. Seeing the lm on the big screen gives a real sense of scale, while hearing the amazing 5.1 surround sound mix in one of NZ’s largest cinemas will transport audiences to one of the most signi cant events in Bay of Plenty’s history.

e lm screened earlier this year as part of Asia Paci c’s largest documentary festival DocEdge, earning rave reviews from attendees.

“‘Taking Back Our Beach’ wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing support from the wider community, who contributed in many ways through their personal stories, video footage or photographs, crowd-funding donations

and even by knitting penguin sweaters,” says Anton.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Holland Beckett Law, Sun Media, Priority One, Western Bay of Plenty Wildlife and Bay Conservation Alliance, along with many individuals have been key supporters. e lm makers are eager to give back, with the premiere a chance to say “thank you” to all who contributed to its creation.

Film bookings are available now at United Cinemas Bayfair. Community groups of 30 or more are able to purchase tickets for $10, and use the opportunity as a fundraiser event. Education study packs are also being developed for school and community organisation use.

For more information, email: info@takingbackourbeach.com.

To book tickets go to: www.unitedcinemas.co.nz/movie/takingback-our-beach

LIMITED SEATS

Debris from the grounded Rena on Mount Maunganui beach in 2011.

Recovery ‘going good’

New Zealand’s ODI captain, Kane Williamson is taking it “week-by-week” as he makes progress with recovery from a ruptured ACL injury.

e Tauranga-born, all-time leading run-scorer in test cricket for New Zealand was in the Bay of Plenty last week for the Zespri Young & Healthy Virtual Adventure.

e Weekend Sun took the opportunity to see how the cricketer’s tracking with the ODI World Cup 2023 fast approaching in October.

Making progress

After rupturing his ACL at the IPL 2023 opener back in March, Kane says progress with the injury is “going good”. “Basically, there’s still a lot to do and I’ll keep ticking o those little milestones as best I can in order to be ready as soon as I can be.”

Kane says he’s been doing a lot of strength work, and increasing this in recovery e orts.

“ en there’s the return to running phase, which is what we’re kind of in at the moment, which has been going quite well; and then trying to get back into training and increasing the participation there

so yeah it is a week-by-week thing.”

World Cup awaits

So will he play in the world cup in India come October? “It truly is a week-by-week focus and I don’t have that answer...It’s about my body and there’s so many di erent parts to that – it’s the healing, it’s the strength around that, the capability to do what’s required, and then con dence.

“ ere is still a bit of time to see more progress and there is a lot more progress in this next period and that’s the focus for me and we’ll just see where it lands.”

Nonetheless, Kane plans to head India with his team for worlds. “Whether that’s as a player or in the support sta area – there’s still so many unknowns, so it’s crossing those bridges when we get to them.

“I know the team is really excited that they’re going to another world cup and there’s a lot of experience in the group which is helpful… everyone wants to win but at the end of the day it’s focusing on the things you can control and put all your e ort into that which gives you a pretty good chance.”

Georgia Minkhorst

Kane Williamson is in the “running phase” with his ongoing recovering from an ACL injury he copped in March. Photo: John Borren.

Hon Jan Tinetti

Never fighting alone

Pāpāmoa resident Maggie Takawe has been on a tough journey battling cancer in the last 18 months. But she has never been alone in her ght.

Along with her husband and two daughters, the Cancer Society has been wrapping support around the 47-year-old from day dot – and is still keeping tabs on her now.

Da odil Day, on today, Friday, August 25, is the Cancer Society’s largest fundraising event. Maggie, with only a few extended family residing in New Zealand, has experienced exactly where this fundraising ends up.

Her journey began December 2021.

“I felt a lump on my left breast one morning putting on my bra. I thought: ‘Oh, what’s that?’ I showed my workmates – and they said: ‘Go get it check just in case’.”

Maggie, her husband and two daughters, aged 22 and 10, were living in Rotorua. “Christmas was coming, which meant I couldn’t get any bookings. So I had to wait until January. I went to see a doctor, had a biopsy and got the result that I cancer in my left breast.”

Shock

Being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in March 2022 came as quite a shock. “I didn’t know what to do, where

to start. But what was good is I was given all this information – including a lea et for the Cancer Society and a referral to help me through the journey.”

But she didn’t even need to ring the number. “ ey called me to say: ‘We are the Cancer Society and we are here to help you’. A nurse visited our home, she got my family and I some counselling.

“And she said: ‘Whatever you need, please just ask’.”

Maggie needed an operation immediately – it was scheduled for March 2022. “ en I found out I was pregnant.

“So I couldn’t have the operation. e doctors needed to wait until I was past my rst trimester.”

One week before the operation, she had

Care | Location | Style

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

Maggie Takawe receiving treatment during her cancer journey.

Photo: supplied.

a miscarriage. “It was sad... but when I look back I can see it was a blessing in disguise because I could focus on one thing.”

e operation went ahead, but in April Maggie was back in surgery after cancer cells were found in her lymph nodes. “I had the two operations in Rotorua then was transferred to Tauranga, and completed my chemo in November.”

Continuous support

Maggie says the Cancer Society has been by her side throughout her journey, and still supports her to this day. “ ey provide me with counselling, transport to treatments, massages. Initially they were following up with me every two weeks to see how I was.

“ ey also provided meals – they were very supportive and always there if we needed them.”

With limited family in NZ to lean on, Maggie says the society’s wraparound support was a big relief. “Yeah, it was a big relief that’s someone was there to help you whenever you needed – and if I was really down, apart from my husband and my church leaders it was so good to know someone else was there.

“ ey check on me regularly. ey are so helpful – and I am so grateful for the help they provide.”

Maggie had another surgery in January to scrape suspected cancer cells and replace them from her back, then received radiotherapy in March.

“Now I have daily medication and monthly injections and am monitored.”

Amazingly, Maggie went back at work at Tauranga Hospital’s Kowhai House in May. e society? “ ey still keep tabs on me; and still

provide massages and other support.”

Give generously

During the last nancial year Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty supportive care nurses provided advice, information, advocacy and support to someone with cancer or their whanau 9442 times.

e region’s volunteers drove 79,732km to ensure cancer patients made it to treatments. More than 1400 people attended Cancer Society supportive care programmes. And Cancer Society Waikato/BOP

received 1310 new referrals.

“My family back home in Fiji asked me how I’m going and I told them about the Cancer Society and that the services they provide in New Zealand are just so good.”

e Cancer Society is not directly government-funded and relies on support from the community to ensure no one faces cancer alone.

Please give generously when you see a street collector this Da odil Day. Or donate online at: da odilday.org.nz. And remember –every donation counts!

Merle Cave

Beautiful, bouncy Chichi

Chichi is about one-and-a-half years old. He is desexed and ready for his forever home.

Chichi is a fun-loving dog that just loves to play.

Chichi is very athletic with a good jump on him, so good fencing is a must. Chichi will enjoy being with humans that will o er him plenty of exercise.

His new family will be rewarded with a happy-golucky dog that just looking at him makes you smile.

Phone the Tauranga centre on 07 578 0245. Ref: 572249.

Bay of Plenty voters will be met by new candidates this General Election as two familiar faces move on – one retiring, one moving regions.

e Sun recently detailed BOP MP Todd Muller’s retirement from politics. is week, Angie Warren-Clark talks about heading home to Northland. “One thing that might help inform people [about the election] is if you tell them where the Bay of Plenty electorate is,” says Angie Warren-Clark.

“Many don’t understand that the majority of the BOP electorate is in Tauranga City. ey think it goes way down the coast – but not at all! It includes the outer suburbs of Tauranga City, such as Pāpāmoa.”

Angie became a candidate for Labour in BOP in 2016 –and went to Parliament in 2017 as a Labour List MP. is election she’s moving to Northland, where she’ll contest the Whangārei seat for Labour. “I grew up in Northland; pretty much all of my family are there and my husband Blair is Ngāti Kahu.

“So for us, the move north makes sense,” says Angie, who has lived in Tauranga for the past 17 years.

At the refuge

She came here when working for the Ministry of Justice as a domestic violence advisor.

“I relocated the o ce to Tauranga to be more in the centre of the region I managed,” says Angie, who left the job in 2013 to manage Tauranga Women’s Refuge.

Farewell BOP... in [level].”

What made her become a politician? “I’ve always been involved in politics in one way or another but more on a personal political activism [level].”

e nal push came at the refuge. “Basically, we had not had a pay increase from government for the nine years under National. We’d had a four-fold increase in service delivery and families coming to us... and we were funded $21.25 an hour by government to deliver [services] and I had 14 sta .

“I got to the point where thought: ‘... I don’t think this will change unless people who’ve worked in the eld of family and sexual violence, who understand the dynamics and the work, actually go to Parliament and do that’.”

Angie, a keen sherwoman who loves the coast, community and lifestyle the BOP o ers, knows the

Angie Warren-Clark farewells the BOP. Photo: supplied.

...hello Whangārei!

electorate still has challenges.

“[ ey’ve] been the challenges for our city – infrastructure, roading, the failure over successive councils to be able to create a city that’s more liveable.

“We have this really di cult set of geography here; we have an accident and the whole city is gridlocked.

“I’ve also found race relations in this city to be problematic at times, and divisive. Being married to a Maori man and having Maori children, the level of racism I nd at times in the room etc is something that I’m sad about for our city.

“We can all do better. And I think it’s about having honest and open conversations, and not shouting at each other.”

Passion projects

What progress has she seen in the BOP under her government? “ e Labour Government has brought more than $2 billion into the city in the past six years, so there’s lots of things going on. But real passion projects for me are supporting the community who fundraised forever to get Pāpāmoa Surf Club headquarters. I love the fact we came in with that nal bit of cash. I love that we’re now getting access onto the motorway from another exit point in Pāpāmoa... that there’s been real consideration to planning how the next areas of Pāpāmoa and the community are going to be developed. I love that there’s been public housing opened here including Papakāinga Housing in partnership with Maori. I’m also very pleased I was able to advocate and get funded for this city – the Bayfair underpass. I went to the protest, I listened and I advocated for it, and I got the extra $16 million. I love that our kids, pedestrian tra c and those on bikes can safely connect from Bayfair to Matapihi.

who have the purse strings, it’s

“I feel like myself and Jan Tinetti; we’ve fought every day to have this city on the map – and when you sit in government with the ability to talk directly to your ministers who have the purse strings, it’s been very fruitful for us. I think we’ve developed an incredibly good working relationship as a government with the city.”

Bills

As a List MP, Angie has worked on initiatives to reduce food waste, protect the environment and improve food access for vulnerable communities. Her members’ bill, Crimes (Child Exploitation O ences) Amendment Bill –which looks to provide justice to those who’ve been a ected by grooming, both online and in person – was signed into law. is term her Family Proceedings (Dissolution for Family Violence) Amendment Bill was plucked from the ballot. Angie says current law means a couple must be separated for two years before they can divorce.

“For victims of family violence this two-year period can be dangerous and can lead to further abuse. is Bill intends to reduce the harm family violence causes by allowing victims of family violence to dissolve a marriage or civil union without having to be separated for two years,” says Angie.

“We’re hopeful the bill will have its rst reading before the House rises at the end of August. It’s on the order paper for this sitting block.”

What will Angie will miss? “...the familiarity, the richness of our communities, the people, my dear friends living here.”

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

e sherwoman will miss the BOP coast and its shing spots. Photo: supplied.

Merle Cave

Offbeat with someone on the frontline

He started on the frontline 12 years ago and now he’s headed back to it – this time as a sergeant.

New Zealand Police have launched a new podcast called ‘O beat’, where you can listen all about what a career in police is like from di erent o cers around the country.

Tauranga Police Station’s frontline o cer Sergeant Tanerahi Keno – or TK – is part of the podcast series and e Weekend Sun caught up with him to see what the job is really like.

Attending the Royal New Zealand Police College in 2011, TK has been in the police for more than 12 years.

From working as a frontline o cer, a eld training o cer, a detective in the criminal investigation branch, a police negotiator to a sergeant on the frontline – it’s fair to stay he’s kept his time in the police varied.

“It’s a whole career of getting amongst communities and helping people. At the time I joined, I was working in retail and you’re always amongst people there and get a feel for interacting with the public and dealing with situations,” says TK.

Frontline return

Back on the frontline and in a sergeant role for more than a month now has been amazing, says TK. And he’s got a lot of new cops on his team.

“ ey’re hugely enthusiastic and it’s just amazing to be a part of it bouncing of each other and sharing ideas.

“I’m learning as well as teaching so it’s not just one-sided but I’m really enjoying that team atmosphere on the frontline and dealing with incidents coming through as we dispatch to them.”

TK says part of the sergeant role is: “You’re helping

to prioritise what incidents units need to go to but as they go there, you back them up as well where you can o er advice based on your experience or legislation on how you can resolve incidents”.

Negotiating and listening

Alongside his sergeant role, TK still works as a police negotiator on a week-on/week-o roster. He says the police negotiator role is about providing “an extra line of communication to resolve situations and outcomes without anyone getting hurt”.

“I’ve worked on many things from suicidal people to hostage-type situations and armed people barricaded in their addresses.

“It can be low level, to the top end where you’ve got all the tactical groups involved.”

And it’s all about listening, says TK. “You’re not just saying: ‘You have to come out’. You actually have to listen and make sure that they actually feel heard.”

TK says working in the police it involves being mindful about what ‘better work stories’ means to you. “We’ve had people straight away assume that better work stories are because it’s all high-end [incidents] – but for me, ‘better work stories’ is about better results in the community.

“You’re still going to people’s emergencies, so it’s about taking that responsibility and care with dealing with people’s feelings.”

After more than a decade in the force, TK says he still very much enjoys it. “I’ve never thought about leaving. I’ve thought of di erent roles I’m able to move around to.

“It’s been amazing to keep that longevity as a career – and there’s still many places I can go in my time in police so I’m always considering where to next.” To check out the ‘O beat’ podcast, visit: www.newcops.govt.nz/o beat

Georgia Minkhorst

Waihī Beach by-election happening

Waihī Beach residents will vote to ll the vacant Community Board seat following the resignation of Alan Kurtovich.

Alan is stepping down from the role, e ective immediately, triggering a Western Bay of Plenty District Council by-election to select a new Community Board member. A by-election must be held to ll the vacant seat because it’s more than 12 months to the next Local Body Election in 2025.

Alan received 844 votes in the October 2022 Local Body Elections, alongside Ross Goudie’s 809, Dani Simpson’s 740 and Heather Marie Guptill’s 527, and was appointed deputy chairperson.

Electoral O cer Dale Ofsoske says the by-election process began August 25 – with nomination papers now available to pick up and the electoral roll available for inspection.To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be enrolled as a Parliamentary elector; be a NZ citizen; and be nominated by two electors of the Waihī Beach Community Board area. If more than one nomination is received when nominations close at midday September 22, a postal ballot will be held for the electors of the Waihī Beach Community Board area. If voting is required, it will run from October 27-November 18.

Listen to Sergeant TK talk about his career in the police in the ‘O beat’ podcast series. Photo: John Borren.

Tasting the real world via Yia!

Giving students a real taste of the real world – and what it’s really like to be an adult – is what the Young Innovators Awards hands to students across the Western Bay of Plenty.

at’s what Ōtūmoetai College teacher Ceri Blears-Woodcock reckons – and she’d know. Ceri has been her school’s Yia! programme facilitator for 10 years, only handing over the baton this year to fellow teacher Kristy Lance.

28 teams

Its 14th year in WBOP, Yia! has received more than 670 registrations from nine schools. Ōtūmoetai College has the most registrations for 2023, with 28 teams signed up. Yia! challenges

intermediate and secondary students to develop and apply key skills of design thinking while coming up with an innovative product or service.

Ceri says Yia! is great for students to learn soft skills they don’t necessarily learn at school.

“No matter what your ability, you are stretched – whether it’s phoning someone for the rst time who is not within school or speaking to the council or something like that.”

Ceri says this makes the programme an amazing opportunity for students to solve a real-life issue in a collaborative way.

“ e process challenges students to think critically and develop key life skills that will serve them well in the future.” Basically, school education is like a bubble – this [Yia!] enables students to learn a completely di erent skillset. What they’re doing is working with people

in the real world, collaborating, communicating, they’re having to think all these things through.”

Resilence

As a result, Ceri says the innovation process allows students to learn about themselves. “Students will, at some stage in Yia!, sit in a space that’s out of their comfort zone, which sets the foundation for resilience. For me that’s the most profound learning experience we can o er our students,” says Ceri.

With 2023’s nalists chosen for Intermediate (Year 7-8), Junior (Year 9-10), and Senior (Year 11-13), People’s Choice voting is open at: https://yia.co.nz Students can win up to $2000 cash, plus a chance to develop their innovation with businesses as a category winner. e awards night is September 6.

Economy growing – according to data

Last week, economics consultancy Infometrics, released its latest quarterly economic data report.

is data reveals that despite a slowdown in activity and a more challenging outlook ahead, our economy is performing better than expected.

e data demonstrates NZ’s economy has continued to grow, albeit at a modest rate, which comes as somewhat of a surprise. In an e ort to curb in ation, the Reserve Bank has raised borrowing rates, resulting in reduced household spending and business growth activity. Despite these e orts, in ation remains persistently high; however, our economy continues to grow, people remain employed, and households continue to spend.

Locally, our gures are slightly better compared to the rest of Aotearoa across most metrics we examine, notably economic growth and unemployment.

You can pick up one of our FREE publications from any of these places

We’ve grown accustomed to this pattern, and our economy stands out as one of the more resilient in NZ.

Nonetheless, we anticipate some challenges on the horizon, particularly within the primary sector, which is facing headwinds that will impact the broader economy. Kiwifruit has experienced two consecutive poor seasons, and the dairy sector will be a ected by lower payouts.

ese industries have signi cant ripple e ects on other sectors, especially Kiwifruit, which plays a substantial role in the local economy.

With remarkably low unemployment of 3.2 per cent locally, we’re currently in a phase where most individuals seeking employment can nd opportunities. While this is positive, as it signi es a strong employment market, it is also crucial to ensure we are cultivating a pool of skilled and talented individuals for the future.

*Read this column in full at: www.sunlive.co.nz

Papamoa Library

Countdown Bureta, Otumoetai

Four Square Cherrywood, Otumoetai

Brookfield Food Mart, 75 Bellevue Rd

Matua Dairy, 97 Levers Rd, Matua

Patrick’s Pies, 19 Bethlehem Rd, Bethlehem

Four Square Bethlehem, 233A SH2, Bethlehem

Décor Gardenworld, 165 Moffat Rd, Bethlehem

FreshChoice Omokoroa, 160 Omokoroa Rd, Omokoroa

Katikati Information Centre, 36 Main Road, Katikati

Merle Cave

Front left: Ōtūmoetai College teacher Kristy Lance is taking over the school’s Yia! facilitator role from Ceri Blears-Woodcock.

Photo: John Borren.

Opel driving affordability in EV vehicles

I get it now. Electric cars are worth the switch. After a few days of living with the Opel Mokka-e, I can tell you the concerns you’ve heard about battery life or charging are largely outdated.

I spent two days driving the car around town, and the battery still had a healthy 40 per cent left in the tank. By this time it was a Sunday afternoon, and I decided to brave the charging station at the busy Pak’n’Save on Cameron Road.

Much to my surprise, the charging stations were completely empty, and I got to charge up extremely cheaply, and get an exclusive parking spot while I did a quick shop. It was brilliant.

Opel has announced special pricing for their Kiwi line-up – meaning the German-made vehicles, topped with gadgets and comfort, are now among the most a ordable electric vehicles in the country. e Opel Mokka-e, which I spent the weekend with, is currently only $49,975+ORC after claiming the Government’s clean car rebate of $7015. Excuse the pun, but this is a shockingly low price for a fully- edged EV! Additionally you’ll save money by having no petrol bill at all – and, indeed, by charging at home, you’ll remove the need to ever visit a petrol station again. at’s serious value for money and convenience.

Striking

e Mokka-e is a striking looking SUV with a roomy, comfy interior

topped with all sorts of features which make it a real treat to drive. With heated seats and heated steering wheel, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, a 12” instrument cluster, 180 degree rear view camera, six-speaker sound system and built-in navigation, it’s really hard to ask for much more.

is makes the low price tag all the more astonishing.

e adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning are also worthy of special mention, keeping you safe on the road.

Exhilarating

Putting your foot down and feeling the instant power of an electric car is exhilarating – and truly makes you feel like the future has arrived.

e quiet, smooth ride and instant response of electric, paired with a well featured nice-sized car, makes it an easy and enjoyable vehicle to drive around town or indeed the country. While I drove the Opel Mokka-e, Opel’s fully electric Corsa-e is also on promotion and is priced from just $42,975+ORC after claiming the government rebate.

If you want to take a look at one of the new Opels, then head to Opel Tauranga, 326 Cameron Rd, or give them a call on 07 578 9083.

I think you’ll thank me for it later. Opel Tauranga advises that the above pricing is for a limited time and only available while stocks last.

Taylor Rice

e Opel Mokka-e prices are almost too good to be true. Photos: John Borren.

How does it affect you personally as an individual?

Hugely disappointed and saddened to read letters published in e Weekend Sun on August 4, regarding responses to the increased use of Māori language in public discourse, on co-governance and the banding about of the phrase ‘political correctness’ when coming over something anything one chooses to disagree about.

Can you not acknowledge that historically Māori have been deliberately, and frequently illegally deprived, of the land they possessed prior to colonisation and that gives those who have been deprived a di erent perspective?

Please explain to me how the use of Māori language disadvantages you as an individual?

Remember that the three legal languages of Aotearoa/New Zealand are English/Māori and sign language.

Do you object to the use of sign language?

When you consider the factors above, can you not see that having deprived a people of their land and by objecting to co-governance and te reo you are trying to remove their voice as well?

Is that a reasonable stance for you to take?

Again, how does it a ect you personally as an individual?

Heather Stewart, Welcome Bay.

Re: Letters on language in e Sun, August 4. I’d like to invite letter readers and writers to embrace the unique culture we have here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Other countries around the world are in awe of our treaty partnership and it’s something that we can be proud of. We have nothing to fear and much to gain by embracing the language and the culture universally. Unfamiliar language is often daunting to read but the great news is, increased exposure to it can enable learning with limited e ort and can be ful lling and rewarding. Research shows clearly there are many bene ts of learning another language both in enhancing our cognitive abilities and our feelings of connection. Māori language is deeply embedded in the outdoors and nature and has a richness in environmental understanding as does the culture and as do the people. As Pakeha we have a lot to learn from Te Ao Māori (Māori world view and values). What’s good for Māori is good for all of us. Ngā Mihi, Kia pai tō rā.

Councillor Kat Macmillan, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana.

Big wins and surprises at REINZ Awards

Exceptional real estate agencies and real estate professionals from across Aotearoa won awards at Tuesday night’s

2023 REINZ Awards for Excellence -

New Zealand’s annual national awards evening for the profession.

e REINZ Awards for Excellence celebrates New Zealand’s top real estate agents across all sectors, business brokers, and property managers.

e award ceremony and gala dinner was held at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland and was MCd by media personality Hilary Barry. Real estate professionals from across Aotearoa came to Auckland to celebrate each other’s achievements and cheer for their peers as they took to the stage to receive their awards. REINZ chief executive

Jen Baird says it was a hugely positive event following a challenging year for the industry and jampacked with surprises and winners.

“Congratulations to all our nalists and winners of the 2023 REINZ Awards for Excellence. You help showcase the real estate excellence delivered across Aotearoa and your achievements deserve to be celebrated. It is because of your hard work and dedication that the industry continues to evolve. e quality, commitment and innovation shown by this year’s nalists and winners is a testament to a resilient and forward-thinking profession.

“At REINZ, we’re proud of the dedication and hard work delivered by our members in service to New Zealanders every day. After seeing the winners, especially the Rising Stars, I can con dently say that the real estate industry is in good hands,” says Jen.

Attn: J.&N. Stewart, R.Rimmer, P.Kelly, Steve Porter,Don Finlayson and all your cohorts. Recently published letters in e Sun shows the ignorance of the above and some others in our community. If you cannot understand a simple word like ‘korero’, I suggest you look in a dictionary, or even ‘Google’ it. Many overseas visitors and new resident Kiwis are eager to learn te reo Māori, thus enhancing the

multi-cultured nation we live in. Te reo Māori is after all, one of our three o cial languages and has been recovering from being banned for decades now. If you love English so much, maybe relocation to UK would help.

I hope there are more non-racist, positive Pakeha and others in our ‘Rohe’ (look it up) like me, to counter the negative views you express.

Barbara Saies, Te Puna.

Re: Mixing English and te reo Māori. I am pleased to see that Jackie and Neil Stewart’s letter has brought about discussion about the mixing of our languages. I submitted a similar letter to a local paper several months ago, which was not published, for what I thought were obvious reasons. Can we now take reverse action and insert English words into te reo? Stand back and wait for the reaction!

Margaret Downie, Pāpāmoa.

I read recently that there’s been an increase in the number of people wanting to learn both te reo Māori and Pasi ka languages. ese languages were described as “having utility”, so the desire to learn them is laudable. However, New Zealand’s main trading partners are either in Europe or Asia, where the South Paci c languages have no utility at all. Would it not therefore be bene cial to encourage people to also study either a European language or Mandarin Chinese? S. Corbet, Whakamarama.

DRIER THAN DAD’S JOKES

Show and Shine revs up!

Beauties of the four-wheeled kind will park under the blossoms on Chadwick Rd next month as Greerton’s Cherry Blossom Festival rev ups for 2023 on Saturday, September 16.

As usual, the Streets & Customs Club invite owners to display their precious classic and specialty cars in the Show and Shine for free for the community to see!

Club member Greig Covell says this year’s Show and Shine is the club’s 46th bash –and he’s hoping for a great turnout of cars.

Chadwick Rd between Cameron Rd and Greerton Rd roundabouts is closed from 9am to hold the show – enabling people to meander Greerton’s main stretch to appreciate cars and blossoms from 10am-2pm.

e Show and Shine is open to American and Australian classic cars and special interest vehicles – preferably V8-powered, says Greig.

“ e bottom line is no Japanese cars. Some are very nice but that’s a di erent class. We lean towards American and Australian classics, V8s, hotrods and speciality cars.

“Our famous no-reserve auction, featuring sponsored products,

will happen 12.30pm – so don’t miss out!”

Al Dawson & the Wildcats will entertain showgoers – nearby is Greerton Village School’s annual monster fair, plus local bars, cafes and retailers are open too – making it a not-to-be-missed event for the whole family.

“ e blokes can wander the cars, the ladies can shop, the kids can enjoy the school gala – and there’s plenty of food and drink to purchase.”

Chadwick Rd closes 9am September 16 for the Show and Shine. Free vehicle entry is at Greerton Rd roundabout.

Gift dad the tool to shine his car!

Mag & Turbo understand the importance of a good towel, and this Father’s Day they’ve got the perfect gift for the car enthusiast dad – the SupaDry Drying Towel. is premium towel is designed to make car care a breeze, ensuring a spotless and streak-free nish after every wash.

Whether your dad loves washing the boat, jetski, classic cars or enjoys keeping his ride in pristine condition, this

towel is a must-have addition to his collection of car care essentials.

Show your appreciation for all those times he took care of your vehicle by gifting him a tool that makes his car detailing routine even more enjoyable. is Father’s Day, give the gift of a brilliantly shiny car with the SupaDry Car Drying Towel from Mag & Turbo. Available at Mag and Turbo Tauriko and Tauranga; 315 Matakokiri Drive, Tauriko or 101 Cameron Rd, Tauranga.

Merle Cave

Streets & Customs Club member Mike Wilkinson will have his 1967 Ford Country station wagon on show in Greerton on September 16. Photo: Bob Tulloch.

Used European cars with old-fashioned service!

ere’s a new car yard on the block at Mount Maunganui – and it o ers old-fashioned values and service!

John Lahman is branch manager and salesman at Keppler Autos at 21 Totara St – and boy does he know his cars and how to treat customers!

John sells used European cars at the boutique yard with an oldfashioned twist.

“When I sell a car, I continue to service the vehicle at a nearby European specialty workshop.

“Most used car salespeople don’t

want to see the customer again.

“Well, I do, because I’m servicing the vehicles – so I want to know about problems. I look after the car so this time next year, when the vehicle needs a service and warrant, my customers bring it back to me. I also o er courtesy cars while work is done.”

John says you don’t see Keppler Autos’ old-fashioned values much these days. “We picked this yard because the location is good and we want a small operation.

“ at’s how we can o er such good service.

“I stock used cars from all European brands and there’s no annoying young salesperson – I’m it!”

With a 45-plus years’ experience in motor sales, John retired to Mount Maunganui with his wife.

“My retirement lasted one week... then I got cold feet.”

Hamilton-based Keppler Autos decided to bring a car yard to the Mount – John jumped at the job.

A BOP Jaguar Club member, John says his door is always open to talk cars of all makes and models.

“Many club members call in. With a vast knowledge of fuel, electric and hybrids I’m happy to be a sounding board because here, I’m neutral.”

Branch manager and salesman John Lahman at the new car yard at 27 Totara St. Photo: Bob Tulloch.

Support Waipuna via free will update

September is Wills Month – and Waipuna Hospice is asking the public to support their vital palliative care work in the community via their free will campaign.

In its fth year, the campaign allows people to update an existing will or create a new basic will for free with a participating local legal rm in exchange for leaving a bequest gift to the hospice.

“ is year our theme is: ‘Your will power can change lives’,” says fundraising executive Wayne Bloxham.

“ e basic premise is local legal rms will waive their normal fee to either update a will or create a will – based on the provision you leave a gift in your Will to Waipuna Hospice.

“I think this is a win-win for everybody. Not only do people receive a professionally-made will but down the track they’ll have a big impact on people’s lives through a bequest gift in their will to Waipuna Hospice.”

Wayne says the hospice has a “very challenging” funding shortfall every year of millions of dollars – last year bequest donations made up one-third of the fundraising department’s income.

“ is means bequests are a signi cant part of helping to meet that shortfall.

“Everything we do at hospice is for the direct bene t of those in the community who are a ected by terminal illness and bereavement.”

WBOP residents John and Ellen Barrett says it was a “no-brainer” to give to

Waipuna Hospice in their will. “Not only because they provided amazing care to my Mum, and grief support for my Dad, but because both John and I are cancer survivors,” says Ellen.

“We know how life can take unexpected turns. We didn’t think twice about leaving a gift in our will, because we know that one day, Waipuna Hospice might be caring for someone we know and love. It’s our way of helping.”

For those without a will in place, Wayne says this is a chance to plan for when

they’re not around. “It will cost them absolutely nothing today, but can make a big di erence in future.”

Plus, a free will update is bene cial for those whose circumstances have changed – whether it be a birth, death etc.

And if you think you don’t have much to bequest, Wayne says: “Every little bit helps”. “Getting your free will is simple – head to:

www.waipunahospice.org.nz/willsmonth-2023 or call 552 4380 extn: 211.”

Your

Your Legacy. Our Expertise.

If you’ve not got a will yet, or you’ve had some big life changes and not updated your will, now’s the time.

Lyon O’Neale Arnold’s free Library Law Series – to be held next month – will go through the importance of having a will and how to go about writing a will.

Anyone of sound mind who is at least 18 years old can make a will. Your will also appoints guardians, lists your bene ciaries

and sets out your last wishes, and dictates what happens to your estate.

is presentation at He Puna Manawa – Tauranga City Library on Wednesday, September 6 from 7.30pm will inform attendees about making a will and how your estate is administered. is presentation is free to attend. For more information, visit: library.tauranga.govt.nz

Where there’s a will, there’s absolutely a way!

John and Ellen Barrett have opted to give back to Waipuna Hospice in their wills.

Photo: supplied.

Write your story before the credits roll Time for a review?

So, you’ve made some important decisions about how you want your property dealt with when you pass away through a will, but have you thought about how you’d like to be laid to rest?

Funeral director and story

curator Fergus Keith says that just as a will can give you peace of mind about your estate, pre-planning and even prepaying for your funeral service can help you make your wishes clear and ease the burden for loved ones once you’ve passed.

“Planning your own funeral

in advance is a remarkable opportunity to celebrate your story, ensuring it’s told exactly as you want it to be. Your loved ones can also gain great comfort from knowing your wishes.”

Fergus advises there are several things to consider when thinking about what kind of funeral you want, such as where you would like your service to be held, any cultural or religious beliefs you would like to incorporate, who you’d like to be part of your ceremony, and how you would like

to be laid to rest.

“Decisions like these can help create the perfect celebration of your life, however you would like to be remembered.”

Legacy o ers bespoke funeral services and is uniquely owned by a charitable trust, with more than $3.5 million gifted to the community since 2007, enabling people who have passed to create a lasting legacy.

Visit: www.legacyfunerals. co.nz or phone: 07 543 4780 to nd out more about Legacy’s services.

If you want to ensure that the assets you have built up over your lifetime go towards something meaningful, now is a great time to review your will.

As well as dividing your property, your will can also capture your values and beliefs. Many New Zealanders decide to include a charitable legacy in their will.

During Wills Month 2023, 16 local law o ces across the region have o ered to add a gift to the community through Acorn to their clients’ wills for free.

Leaving a gift to the Acorn Foundation enables you to make a bigger impact in your local community.

Unlike a one-o donation to a speci c charity, gifts given through the Acorn Foundation’s Smarter Giving Model are invested in perpetuity. e income generated is distributed annually to community organisations in the Western Bay of Plenty. Your gift will continue to give back to the causes close to your heart – forever!

“Everybody who has children or assets – including Kiwisaver –should have a will,” says Holland Beckett Law senior solicitor Libby McDonnell.

“If you have had a change in circumstance such as a move, birth, marriage, divorce, family death, or change in nancial position – it’s time to review your will.

“Wills Month with Acorn is a great opportunity to make sure your Will looks after the people and the causes you care about.” anks to the generosity of 16 local partner law rms, this Wills Month, it is even easier to organise your wishes.

Fergus Keith, funeral director, and story curator.

Photo: Legacy Funerals.

Holland Beckett Law senior solicitor Libby McDonnell.

Experience excellence!

Signature Homes Bay of Plenty and Coromandel pride themselves on providing clients with a bespoke experience, building homes that feel uniquely theirs.

Owners Debbie and Craig Williams know a thing or two about building beautiful Kiwi homes – they've been doing so in the region for more than 27 years.

You’re almost guaranteed to enjoy your build experience with the Signature Homes Tauranga and

Bay of Plenty team, who, since 2008, have won the National Client Survey award 14 times.

When it comes to building your dream home, house and land packages have become increasingly popular among homebuyers.

And it’s no wonder why – these packages o er a simple, stress-free solution that streamlines the entire process, allowing you to create your ideal living space with ease.

Signature Homes understands the signi cance of building a new home, which is why they o er market-leading building guarantees, including xed price contracts, so clients

can build their new home with con dence.

Customise your dream home with Signature Homes’ house and land packages. Choose from layouts, xtures, and nishes aligned with your lifestyle and gain access to our in-house team of experts every step of the way.

Head to: www.signature.co.nz to view the full range of house and land packages in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel region.

Contact Signature Homes Bay of Plenty & Coromandel on: 0800 102 105 to start your new home journey today.

Lifting and shifting tricky items – big or small!

Spring is near – so have you bought something that needs shifting or lifting into place in Tauranga?

If you’ve got something heavy or di cult you need brought into the Tauranga district – and lifted into place, up high or down in the ground– call Pete Marshall of SkyHooksNZ Tauranga 4X4 Minicranes.

Pete, an owner-operator, can do lifting and shifting jobs on residential, commercial and industrial sites with his minicrane and tandem trailer.

“From Tauranga Harbour Bridge right back to the Kaimai Range, to Paengaroa and Kauri Point north of Katikati – if your item’s nal destination is within this zone, I can move it!

“We can deal with anything that’s coming from any part of NZ, but the nal destination has to be within our Tauranga district zone.”

Husband-and-wife team Pete and Lynda say their service is ideal for transporting items too hard for manpower and too small for larger cranes. “ is makes

us cost-e ective for businesses and the public’s lifting, placement, pick-up and delivery jobs.”

Pete is safetyaccredited, has an engineering background and 20-plus years’ experience working on sites large and small, meaning his ‘moving’ skills extend to all types of places.

Pete Marshall is ready to shift and lift your items – big or small.

Pete’s two-tonne crane has a 6.8m reach, can handle 500kg at full stretch, and 2000kg at the side – the tandem trailer carries 2600kg – and Pete’s shifted it all! Pete o ers a free site visit and estimate – and promptly replies to enquiries – call him now on: 021 848 919.

FROM $1,089,000

This 153m2, thoughtfully laid out home will be built on a 420m2 corner site and the high quality ‘Pacific’ spec of the home is perfect for those seeking modern living for years to come.

Fondly known as The Paradise Peninsula, Omokoroa is a beautiful seaside area that o ers the great outdoors on your doorstep. An amazing opportunity awaits here.

Secure your very own slice of the Paradise Peninsula with Signature Homes Bay of Plenty & Coromandel

e Hawea: a three-bedroom Signature Homes pre-designed house plan.

Mike wants to nail it!

Tauranga building apprentice Mike Watson left nothing to chance when he won the Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau 2023

Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year regional title this month.

Now the 34-year-old is preparing for November’s national contest, where he and seven fellow regional winners will vie for the NZ title.

For the regional, Mike’s written entry detailed a building project he’s working on, then he did a practical challenge. en the top 10 had an on-site project visit and judges’ interview.

e judges said Mike is a great all-round apprentice, with a superb attitude towards learning. “With a strong ability to communicate, Mike had an excellent submission that showed a very solid understanding of his project. His practical project was very well-built, and we were impressed with his high level of workmanship.”

Challenge

Mike, who is employed by JBH Building, started building in 2020, and began his apprenticeship 2021. Why building? “My father and I renovated a house and I enjoyed the visual progress you get – being able to step back and be proud of what you’ve done.

“It’s awesome!”

Set to nish his apprenticeship soon, Mike entered the contest to challenge himself and to network. “I’m

relatively new to the industry, so making connections is important.” Mike’s been working on JBH Building’s high end residential builds for 18 months.

Owners Justin and Sally Horler say his con dence has grown and his level of detail along with his workmanship is an asset to JBH Building. “Mike has a great personality and is a team player,” says Justin.

High end builds

“JBH Building is a residential building company that specialises in high end new builds and renovations. At JBH Building, our core values are honesty, transparency, respect and trust. We work closely with our clients, supporting them every step of the way to ensure a seamless and enjoyable building experience. Clients value our unique hands-on approach, and our meticulous attention to detail.”

Mike is heavily involved in turning JBH’s clients’ dreams into reality, currently learning to be foreman.

He loves working for JBH Building. “It’s awesome –Justin and Sally have created an environment where it’s easy to learn, and you’re constantly learning.”

Now, he’s hunting that national apprentice title!

Merle Cave

with

Mike Watson, with his Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau 2023 Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year regional title. Photo: supplied.

Mike Watson on the tools at a JBH Building site.

Photo: Bob Tulloch.

Unleashing a War Cry Song

It must be tough to be an MP: people just insist on making fun of you. Take our embattled local representative Sam U ndell. Talk about not being able to catch a break...

You put your head down and diligently toe the party line, but the minute you mention supermarkets and your shopping regimen people are mean to you. ere was a veritable nationwide pile-on.

Even our own Jim Bunny had a crack at poor Sam.

So then you keep your mouth shut and all that happens is you get labelled as “impossible to contact”. How could people possibly think that?

To quote from a recent media story: when questioned by SunLive on whether his party is “shielding” him from media, U ndell says he can’t comment: “I haven’t received any word from the National Party on that.” (No, I didn’t make that up.)

Another thing Sam said when questioned on his apparently tooinfrequent shopping behaviour is that he works 80 hours-a-week. So, fair enough, who has time to work 80 hours-a-week and go to the supermarket?

However, I did get to wondering, as one does, what exactly Sam does for 80 hours-a-week, given that he’s not actually, y’know, in government and making laws and running a ministry and governing and stu .

Sitting

So I checked it out. Parliament sits on six days during August, so that’s six long days of sitting and listening to other

people talking. And Sam is also on the Regulations Review Committee. at sat for one day in August. But it was on one of the days the house was sitting, so does that count as an extra day’s work or is it still just the six?

at’s all I could nd. So what does Sam U ndell actually do? I haven’t a clue. Best get the answer straight from the horse’s mouth I thought – I emailed and asked. But he didn’t reply.

tonsillitis. She says most of her songs come to her in her sleep so she wakes up and records the melodies and lyrics: “‘War Cry Song’ came to me around 8am and was written within ten minutes,” she told me.

He’s probably too busy. Or maybe he’s waiting for word from the National Party on that.

Moving along, Dionne Stanbridge, a multi-genre singer-songwriter who performs under stage name e Artist Red, has a new single/video out, ‘War Cry Song’.

She released her rst single, ‘Mother Show Me A Remedy’, back in 2019, recorded with Shane Davies at Whakamarama’s Soundtree Productions.

Back then she was a full-time dairy farmer living in Matamata, who’d drive to Tauranga to record between milkings and working the farm. She nally moved here two years ago and the series of songs she was recording culminated in a full album, ‘Gemini Woman’, launched in May this year.

Dionne wrote ‘War Cry Song’ in February while at home sick with pneumonia, pleurisy and

Juice e single, also recorded at Shane’s, is a collaboration with some of the Tauranga’s nest, including bassist Brian Franks (Brilleaux) and drummers Je Nilsson and MrSly Tawhara. Shane also plays guitar and the music video was produced by Tauranga lmmaker Jimi Colzato of ‘Foreign Pixel’. It premiered last week as part of Juice TV’s NZ new release show ‘ e Plug’. Not hanging around, Dionne was back in the studio this week, this time with Tim Julian at Welcome Bay’s Colour eld, recording two new songs. Meanwhile, you can nd ‘War Cry Song’’, the song and video, on all the usual platforms.

I’ve also received a couple of other local albums which I’ll look at next week. e rst is from an exceptional 13-year-old singer-songwriter Cybele Chapman, who has already written around 500 songs. (Again, I didn’t make that up).

e other is from a band that, to my eternal shame, has completely escaped my attention despite releasing three full albums this decade. I will be returning to e Knids at greater length; my thanks to Mike Shennen for his email belatedly alerting me to their existence: I’ve been enjoying their latest, ‘With A Hard “K”’, immensely. You can nd them on Spotify.

e Artist Red.

Dionne Stanbridge.

Music director farewells Rising Stars

is weekend, Justus Rozemond takes up the baton to conduct the Bay of Plenty Symphonia for the last time as music director, after being appointed in 2012.

Justus has seen the orchestra change a lot during his tenure, from an audience-driven enterprise to a player-oriented structure of three to four concerts a year, one of which is dedicated to youth development in some way.

ere is of course Rising Stars –featured this coming Sunday, August 27, at 3.30pm, Baycourt eatre – and in alternate years ‘something else’, like the concert with clown Mr Wizowski, or ‘Peter and the Wolf’, which were extremely popular. In terms of developmental pathways

Amazing music and fantastic chemistry

e Amazing Argyle Trio, Wilma & Friends, is touring NZ and playing for Tauranga Musica on Sunday, September 3, from 4pm at Baycourt X Space.

Take Wilma Smith, on violin, an ex-concertmaster of the NZ Symphony Orchestra residing in Melbourne; internationallyacclaimed NZ-born Matthias Balzat, on cello; and Australia’s eminent and exciting pianist Laurence Matheson and you have the Argyle Trio – a group of three amazing musicians and a trio chemistry of pure gold.

Trio of talent

Wilma Smith was born in Fiji and studied in the US with the legendary Dorothy deLay. She worked regularly with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was concertmaster of NZSO, then Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and is now curator for Wilma & Friends.

Matthias Balzat is a NZ-born cellist who studied under James Tennant at the University of Waikato completing a BMus (Hons) and winning several prestigious competitions before heading to Dusseldorf,

Germany, to complete a Masters degree at the Robert Schumann Hochschule fur Musik.

Laurence Matheson, one of Australia’s most exciting young musicians, is in demand across the country as a soloist, chamber musician and collaborative pianist. He studied at the Australian National Academy of Music with Timothy Young as one of their youngest ever students and became a Fellow of the Academy in 2016 after winning the Directors’ Prize.

e Trio will play a glorious programme of Beethoven’s ‘Piano Trio’ in C minor, Op. 1 No. 3, Smetana’s ‘Piano Trio’ in G minor, Op. 15 and Dvorak’s ‘Piano Trio’ in E minor, Op. 90 ‘Dumky’. e Argyle Trio play for Tauranga Musica on Sunday, September 3, at Baycourt X Space. Purchase Tickets through Ticketek, Baycourt Box O ce or at the door.

Win tickets!

e Weekend Sun has one double pass to see e Amazing Argyle Trio for one lucky reader who can tell us who Matthias Balzat studied with at the University of Waikato? Enter online at: www. sunlive.co.nz under the ‘Competitions’ tab. Entries must be received by Tuesday, August 29.

for young orchestral musicians in Tauranga, Justus is very proud of the Youth Philharmonic Tauranga, which he founded in 2016 with the support of the FAME Trust, as this allows young players to progress from school orchestra to YPT, to BOPS, to tertiary education.

Of the winner of the composition competition, which will be performed at the Rising Stars concert this weekend, Justus says: “It’s been rewarding to see Elodie [Broad] win this year, as she’s the only surviving (not literally!) member of the

YPT from the very rst orchestral workshop in 2016”.

“Her continued exposure to orchestral playing is very evident in the mature approach she has adopted to the orchestration of ‘Taking to the Skies’.”

e ve Rising Stars nalists are Bethlehem College’s Sienna Tang, Enoch Tie and David Jiang, Aquinas College’s Ned Shaw and Tauranga Boys’ College’s Pachakamac Lema.

Tickets: Adults $26.50, Concession $24.50, Students/ Children $3 (plus booking fees). Tickets available from Baycourt eatre and online via Ticketek.

Photo: Vivianne Baldwin

e Argyle Trio: Wilma & Friends. Photo: supplied.

Paint your home with the professionals

CJ Design Solutions is a Tauranga painting company based in Pāpāmoa, servicing all the surrounding areas.

Locally owned and operated, CJ Design Solutions o ers high-end residential painting for Tauranga locals.

With 30 years of experience in painting and 20 years in the Bay, owner Chris Spa ord will get the job done right, to the standard you deserve.

Chris Spa ord, ready to paint your home.

He works well within timeframes, arriving on the job when speci ed and staying on the job until completion.

Chris also has vast experience overseas, having worked as a painter in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Holland.

“I charge at an honest price, where you’ll get the best quality for your money,” says Chris. Contact Chris for a free quote on: 027 292 2247 or email: cjsnz@hotmail.com

Photo: Bob Tulloch.

public notices

BAYPARK TO BAYFAIR LINK OVERNIGHT CLOSURES OF BAYFAIR FLYOVER

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency wishes to advise that the SH2 Bayfair flyover will be fully closed overnight from Sunday 27 August to Thursday 31 August (approximately 7pm to 6am each night).

During these hours, a signposted detour via Maunganui Road at ground level and Bayfair roundabout will apply. In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the closures may be moved to the next suitable night/s. Waka Kotahi thanks road users and residents for their patience.

Grazing Land is available on Dudley Vercoe Drive. Offers are invited for grazing the land for up to ten years. Stock permitted will be cattle and/or sheep only. No bulls or horses permitted. For an information pack/ rental offer application please telephone Legal Property Officer Reserves and Facilities on 07 579 6683.

Rental offers are to be received on the approved application form before 5.00pm on Monday 25 September 2023 to the Legal Officer, Reserves and Facilities, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Private Bag 12803, Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga 3143.

Officer

Chief Executive

gardening

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

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

livestock

AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses.

Ph 0800 369 6269

lost & found

FOUND KITTENS & PUPPIES various places, colours and sex.

Ph SPCA 07 578 0245

FOUND CAT, Ginger Male, Approximately 8 years old, Matapihi. Ref 585792 Ph SPCA

trades & services

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

ROOF REPAIRS Free quotes for all maintenance of leaking roofs, gutter cleaning & repairs.

Chimney maintenance & repairs. Registered roofer, 30yrs exp. Ph Peter 542 4291 or 027 436 7740

TREE, SHRUB and hedges trimming, topping, rubbish, palm pruning or removal, satisfaction guaranteed free

ZEALANDIER

Churches Active In Our Community

Promises. Announcements. Political meetings. Billboards. Hoardings.

Yep. We are heading to an election. Politicians are vying for your vote. ey’re making con dent claims, announcing announcements, and promising promises. It’s a circus for sure but it’s not very entertaining. After the elections are over, some will be elated to be elected; others will be disappointed to be dropped.

But who would volunteer for such a position? Eighty-hour weeks, endless meetings, being loved one day and hated the next, and so much time away from home. e sad thing is many voters are completely uninterested and may not even vote. ey say they’re not interested, or what di erence does their vote make, and whatever the outcomes it doesn’t matter that much to them. An understandable position, but a wrong one. Pericles once said: “Just because you do not take an interest in politics, doesn’t mean that politics won’t take an interest in you”.

Every political decision locally and nationally will have its impact upon us or our loved ones somewhere along the line. If we do not vote, we have no right to criticise or complain when unpalatable decisions are made by the court in the decades ahead.

The importance of having your say something I, for one, value highly. So, let’s vote to do our part to exercise our democratic right.

Stephen

Tauranga.