The Weekend Sun - 22 March 2024

‘Food bowl’ for thought

“The things I do for my job!” Western Bay Museum manager Paula Gaelic, pictured, is getting in the spirit. Not a cheerful extraterrestrial who’s dropped in but a proud award-winning museum steward who’s

about to launch yet another exhibition at Katikati’s mainstreet museum. Paula has just been awarded the 2023 Tauranga Heritage Award for 12 years of hard work making the museum a place of excellence. She is wearing

an exhibit from her Western Bay Museum’s new exhibition called ‘The Food Bowl of Plenty’ – celebrating all the industry that goes on behind the shelterbelts. It’s an old Hi-Cane mask – it used to be worn when

kiwifruit vines were sprayed late-winter to help promote budbreak and produce greater yields of quality fruit. Paula and the museum’s new ‘Food Bowl of Plenty’ exhibition is on page 10. Photo: John Borren.

1

Slow down and wind down

You feel like a gut-shot razorback… as they say.

at ghastly empty, vulnerable and very angry feeling when you have just dodged a serious car accident, dodged being the main player in a ‘one person dies in car wreck’ story in the local newspaper.

Your stomach heaves, you sweat, you swear and you say a small prayer.

Someone’s just driven through an orange light right across your bow.

And you know you’ve just been spared by the Grim Reaper.

“Not this time...” he tells you.

We join this conversation because recently the loudest voice in the room declared ‘Tauranga was a city of crap drivers’. And there was an outcry of agreement. Fast, aggressive and no courtesy was the consensus.

Pet hates

Our backseat critics came up with these pet hates – the most dangerous and annoying driving behaviours experienced every day in our great city.

• Tail gating – especially by black baseball cap and aviator-wearing ute drivers.

• Drivers who reckon merging like a zip is a sign of weakness.

• Drivers who indicate after nearly completing a lane change. Or don’t indicate at all.

Driving ‘geriatric’

e kids accuse me of “driving geriatric”. Probably because I am one.

‘Driving geriatric’ involves driving to the speed limit, a bit over, a bit under.

I calculate one car length for each 10km/hr I’m travelling at. Mainly because I get pissed by people driving up my jacksy. So I don’t drive up theirs. I am mostly courteous to other drivers. But seldom do I get it back. Like the other day when I pulled up a couple of metres short of a downtown intersection to allow pedestrian Asian tourists to cross in front of me. ey were chu ed – smiled and waved their appreciation. And I gestured back. A moment of global harmony.

Until….UNTIL …. Missy Cranky Pants behind me had a hissy, climbed on her horn and waved her hands in frustration because the United Nations

• Running stop signs and orange lights.

• Hoons doing hoon-ish things.

• Speeding up in passing lanes.

• Doing 110km/hr on Takitimu Dr.

• On the mobile while driving.

• Road rage – don’t get drawn in, breath deep, avoid eye contact, stay o the horn, lock the doors, call the cops, wish you were someplace else. In NZ we may cock a middle nger during road rage – in the United states they cock a SIG Sauer 9mm semi-automatic and shoot. On average 44 people per month are shot and killed in road rage incidents. ey play for keeps.

had set her day back a whole 20 seconds.

A real Miranda – all temperamental and impatient. Sorry Miranda…I forgot all the roads belong to you. Forgive me. But why all the aggression and intolerance? It’s man-eat-man.

One old head sighed and said: “We all just need to slow down and wind down”.

Yep wind down and slow down.

Another wise head, a former tra c cop, reckons to be a safe and responsible drivers, each of us must adopt a ‘zerotolerance policy’ towards our own dumb and dangerous driving practices.

en as I was trying to “merge like a zip” from a feeder lane on Chapel St, a Mazda turned it into a competition and

Easter weekend collections

Good Friday kerbside collections will take place on Saturday 30 March instead of Friday for Bethlehem (north), Bellevue, Judea, Brookfield, Matua, and Otūmoetai. Easter Monday collections will take place as normal on Monday 1 April for Mount Maunganui, Arataki, Matapihi, Tauranga CBD, and Maungatapu.

Te

undercut me at 85km/hr. A bonehead crazy, accident-promoting manoeuvre that counted for nothing when 100 metres up the road, we were both pulled up at a red light. He eyed me, sneered and gave me a middle nger. Lovely!

Next day I pull up behind a Toyota Hilux under the bridges headed into town also on Chapel St. After being held up a few seconds at a red light he decides he can’t, or won’t wait, drives straight across the raised tra c island in front of the oncoming tra c and into a petrol station. If I drive ‘geriatric’ then he drives ‘dickhead’.

26 seconds

e Americans ddled with the data and somehow concluded the average driver saves just 26 seconds of their time on this planet by speeding. And just two minutes across a week. But that all depends on surviving the trip because the risk of being involved in a fatal crash doubles with every 5km/ hr increase in speed over the limit in a 50km/hr zone.

Be a shame to save all that time only for your car to end up in a scrapyard, your no-claims bonus in the shredder, and you dismembered on a pathologist’s slab.

I asked my tame Pom about Kiwi drivers. “Bloody terrible!” Just an observation, because she doesn’t drive.

“But only because there are too many crazy Kiwis on the road.”

Another lovely Pom tells of being stuck behind a lorry on the inside lane on the M4. He noticed a car zoom up the middle lane, then hold back. “ ey sensed I’d probably want to pass the lorry so he slowed up to give me space to overtake.” at’s courtesy, that’s nice.

‘Super’ bus stops opposed

Plans for bus ‘super stops’ in Tauranga CBD are opposed by landowners and developers, causing council to defer its decision.

Tauranga City Council proposed two new 90-metre bus stops on either side of Durham St south, at the Elizabeth St end.

ese stops would enable up to six buses to stop at once and see removal of 18 carparks. Buses currently leave from Durham St north, but this was intended as an interim interchange.

Council sta sought a decision on the stops as part of the city’s movement framework at a council meeting on Monday. Collier Consultants founder Aaron Collier, representing developers Classic Group and Zariba Holdings, told the meeting it was “a bit disappointing” they heard about the plans third-hand before initiating consultation with council sta .

Classic Group and Zariba Holdings jointly own land on Durham St and they had a “signi cant redevelopment” planned for 142 Durham St.

One of the ‘super stops’ would be in front of the proposed commercial building with ground oor retail space. “One of the key considerations for any redevelopment in the CBD now, is making sure that we have good active frontages and interactions with public space,” says Aaron.

A lot of the social, economic, urban design and tra c concerns hadn’t been considered, he says. ere were concerns about social issues arising at large bus stops, says Aaron.

Before the bus stops were moved to Durham St north two years ago, there was an interchange on Willow St. It was a hangout for homeless and youth, causing antisocial behaviour that prompted security guards to be hired. Aaron suggests the stops remained where they were further up Durham St or be spread along the southern end of the street with three separate stops on either side.

e owners are opposed to the ‘super stops’ but supportive of separate bus stops.

“ ere needs to be a bit more thought and a bit more planning involved.”

Commission chair Anne Tolley says it’s disappointing to hear landowners weren’t involved in early consultation. e streetscaping, road strengthening and wastewater upgrades on Durham St had cost ratepayers $10.5m, says Anne.

If council went with the developers’ suggestion of spreading out the stops some of the gardens would need to be replaced with bus stops, says Anne. She asked if the landowners would be willing to contribute to those costs. Dwayne Roper of Zabrina Holdings says they’ll be contributing through development contributions anyway.

e commission opted to defer the decision about the ‘super stops’ and have sta engage with a ected parties about their location and report back in six weeks. *Read this story in full at: www.sunlive.co.nz

**LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

e ‘super stops’ would span 90m on either side of Durham Street south. Photo: John Borren.

A

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Police bust BOP gangs

A signi cant police operation has culled a massive source of funding for Bay of Plenty’s organised crime groups and gangs.

In the recent ve-day operation 39 search warrants were executed at properties across the region, resulting in 29 rearms being seized and 25 arrests. Police have laid a number of drug and rearm-related charges, and further charges and arrests are expected.

Police, assisted by the Armed O enders Squad in some cases, seized more than 80 grams of methamphetamine, worth $7610, and recovered two stolen vehicles and a stolen motorbike. While executing the warrants, several loaded rearms were con scated, says District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson. Some of the accused have already appeared before the courts across the Bay of Plenty and will reappear at later dates, while others are yet to be summonsed.

Beach hop tra c

Council cancels Mount Maunganui

Free parking will continue in downtown Mount Maunganui, but council plans to take a tougher stance on people outing time limits on spaces.

Local businesses say they are pleased the council backed down on its plans to introduce paid parking in the area.

Tauranga City Council proposed parking charges for the retail area of Maunganui Rd and along the beachfronts of the popular seaside suburb.

City Council taking on comments from Mount Mainstreet businesses”.

Mount is unique

Mount Business Association chair Kate Barry-Piceno says the association is pleased the commissioners directed sta to pause before applying a blanket paid policy approach to the Mount town centre. “Council sta seem intent on characterising the Mount the same as its other town centres.

e council says it will enforce the parking time limits, which currently weren’t being followed.

Maunganui Rd has a 60-minute parking limit and nearby areas have two-hour limits.

Council monitoring across two days in February and March this year show 336 instances of people parking longer than the time limits.

In comparison, 1016 parking tickets were issued in Mount Maunganui in the last year, according to council data.

Heading to Beach Hop this weekend? Set your dial to cruise control, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Motorists should expect roads to be busy, but NZTA doing its bit to ensure as smooth a ride as possible. NZTA says SH25A is now open however it has several worksites along SH25 where the road is reduced to a single lane with stop/go tra c management in place. Beach Hop cruisers should expect lane narrowing and speed restrictions at sites across Coromandel Peninsula.“We’re pausing all chip sealing resurfacing work on the cruise route for Beach Hop week, to minimise disruption and risk of damage to vehicles but there will be minor patches of loose chip from repairs.”

Murder charge

A 50-year-old man has appeared in court this week charged with the murder of an Ōpōtiki man last year. Steven Taiatini was fatally struck by a vehicle on Saint John St, following an altercation late on the evening of June 9, 2023.

“A 19-year-old man and a 41-year-old man remain before the courts on other charges in relation to the ongoing homicide investigation. “Police are still interested in hearing from anyone with information that may be useful to us about what happened.” Contact 105 – by calling or online at: www.police.govt.nz/use105 ‘Update Report’ and reference le number 230610/2652.

Council elections

e Electoral Commission asks Tauranga voters to check they are enrolled for the council election on July 20, 2024. “Currently more than 110,000 people are enrolled to vote, which is 89 per cent of eligible voters in the Tauranga City Council area,” says deputy chief executive operations Anusha Guler. Voters will elect eight councillors, one Māori ward councillor, and a mayor. People can enrol, check or update their enrolment details at vote. nz or call 0800 36 76 56 for more information.

Council had planned to hold consultation in November but delayed the move last year.

At a meeting on Monday, the council deferred plans until March 2025.

Businesses were opposed to paid parking with one retailer saying it would “kill business”.

Mount Longboards owner Kate Evaroa says: “It’s encouraging to see Tauranga

“Mount Business Association has consistently advised council that the Mount town centre is unique in its character and use.

“It is critical our community project the town centre as a relaxed coastal shopping village, renowned nationally and internationally by visitors as a favourite beach and entertainment destination.

“Paid parking is not considered conducive with that approach.”

Kate Evaroa says enforcing the limits is a good thing. A three-day surf lifesaving event held last weekend saw people parking all day along Pilot Bay and the beachfronts, she says.

“ ey all came and they parked for the whole day and then nobody could get a park. If they’re going to enforce time limits more, I think it’s a good thing.

“It creates more turnover continued...

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

Plans to charge for parking in Mount Maunganui have been delayed by council. Photos: John Borren.

of parking. e rules are there, they’re just not being upheld.”

Kate Barry-Piceno says enforcement of time restricted parking in and around the town centre is the appropriate parking policy.

Downtown pause too

e council has also delayed extending paid parking in Tauranga CBD. It will also be considered in March 2025.

Paid on-street parking was set to be extended from ird Ave up to Arundel St, and from McLean St up to Monmouth St in February. In a statement, Commission Chair Anne Tolley says there are signi cant developments happening in the city centre. “ e city centre transformation is progressing at pace and by this time next year there will be signi cantly more parking options available in the city centre.

Minimise disruptions

“However, while various projects are underway,

we want to minimise disruptions and allow time to monitor how the transformation will impact visitor, worker and business parking needs.”

Current projects include the $306m civic precinct Te Manawataki o Te Papa, and private investments, like Northern Quarter and the Craigs Investment Partners development on Devonport Rd. ere will also be 360 more carparks available in the CBD by the end of the year. “With community feedback in mind, there are various factors that need to be considered before [parking] changes are implemented,” says Anne.

“It’s important we continue monitoring parking demand over the next year and ensure we are taking a holistic and measured approach.”

Parking strategies for Mount Maunganui and the city centre will be reviewed in March 2025.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Mount Business Association chair Kate Barry-Piceno says the Mount town centre is unique.

Friday

Dissecting Dick’s 10,000 metres…again

It was 1974 and colour television had just been introduced to New Zealand households.

So had the name of a new New Zealand sporting hero – that of an unlikely, wiry character in a black singlet called Dick Tayler. And 50 years later, the image of Tayler lying prone at the nishline after blitzing the favourites, including the world record holder, in the 10,000 metres at the 10th Commonwealth Games in Christchurch still resonates.

Yesterday a relative unknown and today a lionheart. It was one of those “lightbulb moments” – New Zealanders remember exactly what they were doing the day the unrealised potential of Richard John Tayler was nally realised.

“We were at QE11 Park that rst day of competition and the atmosphere was absolutely electric,” says Tauranga’s Tom Roper. As young man, he and nine fellow ex-Tauranga Boys’ College mates had squirrelled away a few pennies and gone to the

Commonwealth Games. “We could have come home after day one, after that race. It was just so exciting. Brilliant. at could have been enough.”

Guest of honour

But it wasn’t enough. Because this weekend, seven of the 10 mates will have a fat lunch at Harbourside Restaurant where, half a century after the event, they’ll dissect that race yet again.

“And Dick Tayler, the one-time spud farmer cum Commonwealth games hero will be sitting in, guest of honour. “Makes sense. He’s the man.

“He’s the one we are celebrating, and it will be great to get his account,” says Bruce Simister. Like the story about Tayler going to the pub the night before his race. “And we didn’t have to twist his arm too much.”

Tayler will have relived each one of those 10,000 strides 10,000 times since that momentous day.

And he’ll happily do it again for the guys. Tayler

says there were 35,000 people in the stadium January day, but he’s spoken to 135,000 who reckon they were there.

“I am just attered people are still interested,” says a humble Tayler from his home in Timaru this week. “And I don’t suppose they would ask me about it if they weren’t interested.” We are Dick.

Especially Tom, Bruce and their mates.

“And it was just such an honour being a Kiwi that day, having a day in the sun that people still remember.” And they remember well.

“I can still recall people chanting black, black, black during the race,” says Tom Roper. “But we suddenly gured it wasn’t for Dick Tayler’s black singlet. It was for English athlete David Black.”

Willing their man

So as Tayler worked his way through the eld towards the front they started ‘Tayler, Tayler, Tayler’. “Every time he went past, up went the

e Tauranga lads, sideburns and statutory red hats, willing our man home. From left: Adrian Brady, Bruce Simister, Gordon Yates, Wayne Ruegg, Don Hall, Ross Percy, Brian Hamill. Photographer: Tom Roper.

Two of the lads on Tauranga’s Domain track this week – Bruce Simister and Tom Roper – will dissect 1974’s 10,000 metres with ‘the man’ over lunch this weekend.

chant,” says Tom. ey were willing their man to win and it worked.

Now aged 75, Tayler is a bit slower. “I go for a walk every day but I’m so slow my shadow won’t go with me anymore.” But he wouldn’t mind jogging again – he just might try it one day soon.

Half a century later Tayler is a little fuller of gure, the signature mutton-chop sideburns and blond locks have been lost to time. But Tayler will

oblige his hosts happily. And proudly.

“It’s a long way from Timaru to lunch in Tauranga – but Tauranga’s worth it.”

e 10,000 metres took 27 minutes 46.4 seconds in 1974 – a new New Zealand record, which seemed almost irrelevant on the day.

anks!

But Sunday’s analysis will take two or three hours and involve a few obligatory bottles of wine and beer. Talking of ‘lightbulb moment’, I remember exactly what I was doing the day the South Canterbury potato farmer won gold.

I was a young reporter covering the games for a Sydney radio station and was in a press box high in the stand watching as the race unfolded. Everyone, including myself, started yelling Tayler home. To the point where race commentator Barry Street was forced to momentarily turn o his microphone and yell at us to “shut the f#*k up” so he could hear himself think. Street then returned seamlessly to his race call.

Enjoy your lunch Dick Tayler and thanks for the wonderful memory.

Hunter Wells

Photo: John Borren.

Jazz speaks to Kiwi youth

Star has been a rockstar since his arrival at the SPCA. is male cat, aged one year and two months old, has been through so much but is a trooper; always happy and ready for a pat.

Star is friendly, smoochy and sweet. He likes attention and enjoys company. He is very playful and loves to chase a ping pong ball!

More than 600 secondary students from across Aotearoa will perform in e Wright Family Foundation 46th National Youth Jazz Competition in Tauranga next week.

e three full days of performances – to showcase New Zealand’s best emerging young jazz players – is part of e Port of Tauranga 61st National Jazz Festival.

National Youth Jazz Competition manager Liam Ryan says the event just keeps on growing every year! “Last year we had 43 combos and 20 big bands. is year – at last count –we’ve got 48 combos and 23 big bands. at’s 71 bands and more than 600 kids – it’s huge!”

Women in jazz

And this year will shine a light on women in jazz. Liam says NZ’s music industry in general has been focusing on women for the last few years – including APRA and the recording industry. “ ere’s a focus on bringing women to the front of the room, you know.

“All the tertiary music and jazz courses have a real push to

elevate the pro le of women in the music industry, including those in studios and the technical areas such as audio engineering, producing etc. So we’ve basically joined with that philosophy. And Year 12-13 young women de nitely have a set of skills that we need to see more of in the industry – such as communication and diplomacy, and just generally creative skills.

“I guess it’s a nod to diversity at large – but to women in particular.”

To promote the idea Liam has lined up Lana Law – musical director of the All Girl Big Band, which will perform their ‘Powerhouse of Sound’ show in the jazz festival at Baycourt on March 28 – to judge the big bands alongside Dr Rodger Fox.

And Louisa Williamson –who has a Master’s in Jazz and is 2023’s APRA Best Jazz Composition Award winner for her composition ‘Dream Within A Dream’ – will judge the combos alongside Toi Ohomai and jazz pianist Ben Wilcock.

‘Your future in jazz’ is year’s panel discussion on March 27 will have the judges talk on ‘Your future in Jazz’.

“ is will talk about pathways, so students coming out of Year

12-13 know how to get into jazz study courses but also the music industry at large,” says Liam.

Baycourt’s Addison and X Space theatres will host the youth competition for three days. Each band is on the schedule to play once between March 26-28.

Combos perform three pieces including set piece ‘All Blues’ by Miles Davis. e big bands play four pieces, including set piece ‘Nilesology’ written by Bill Cunli e. “ e students, musical directors and teachers started rehearsing end of last year – so the kids arrive backstage, very excited and very nervous about playing in front of judges.”

Once they’ve performed, judges come on-stage and workshop the band in front of the audience.

“Right in front of your eyes, you see bands go from one level to another. It’s really quite amazing! So it’s more than a competition. It’s really about jazz – and jazz education,” says Liam.

Watch!

e Wright Family Foundation 46th National Youth Jazz Competition is at Baycourt 8:30am-5pm March 26-28.

Admission is: Full Day $20, Half Day $12, three-day ticket $50. Under-15s gain free entry.

Get tickets at: jazz.org.nz

He’ll be a great t for most homes and could be a great choice for a family with children. Star is looking for a family who will love him and

Bethlehem College Year 13 student Isla Bircham, with fellow students Year 13 Luke Tuhairwe on guitar, Year 13 Joseph Du ett on alto saxophone, and Year 12 Asher Lambert on trombone, ready to play at the National Youth Jazz Competition. Photo: John Borren.

A peep behind the shelterbelts

Tamarillos, passionfruit, swiss chocolate, vanilla, strawberry…. ese are just some of the avours, the tastes, that will be explored in a brand new exhibition called ‘ e Food Bowl of Plenty’ at the Western Bay Museum in Katikati. ere’s also blueberries, tru es, nuts and Kiwano, the bizarre horned melon. “Behind our kilometres of shelterbelts are a lot of small,

boutique producers doing some amazing things,” says museum manager Paula Gaelic.

An array of outstanding delicacies like olive oil, cheese and salami.

“ e museum exhibition means it’s now their time in the sun.

“And these people are grateful for the chance to get their name and their products out there.”

irty producers and suppliers will feature in the exhibition, which will share their history and stories, and re ect on the commitment and

hard work of small stand-alone businesses. Like the growers of the exotic and peculiar Kiwano –elliptical and yellow with bright red spiky horns, and the esh of a bright green cucumber. “Tastes of banana, cucumber, lime, strawberry and kiwifruit,” says Te Puke grower Isaac Hutchings.

“Depending on how ripe it is.” He grows 10 hectares each season – about 30,000 trays or 150 tonnes and exports the fruit mostly to California. “Not massive in New Zealand, but something Kiwis could grow to love.”

And if they take in the Western Bay Museum exhibition, it might create an awareness, people might be more inclined to buy and try.

“We don’t mean to take away from the standout kiwifruit and avocado industries – the horticultural giants that have fueled the economy of the Western Bay,” says Paula. “But there’s way more to the Bay of Plenty than just kiwifruit and avocado. But just on a much smaller scale.”

e exhibition will put a spotlight on the innovation, growth and development of those industries. “We hope people will take away a ‘wow’ factor from the exhibition, and that they support those industries.”

e exhibition, which opens this Saturday, March 23, is aligned with Tourism Bay of Plenty’s

‘Flavours of Plenty Festival’ running April 4-14.

“ at’s a celebration of the BOP’s world class food scene, a culinary experience, while our museum ‘Food Bowl of Plenty’ exhibition is a celebration of those who supply all those extraordinary avours to the hospitality industry.”

And beyond to California like the Kiwanos. Innovation

Aren’t museums all about history, and collecting and safeguarding relics, artifacts and specimens?

“ ey are also about innovation,” says Paula.

“ e world today and the world tomorrow.”

And that’s the direction this exhibition is looking. “We seriously need to support local or NZ-made. And the exhibition will give people another reason to do that.”

Paula recently had family out from Darwin and she couldn’t make them enough fresh salads, vegies and fruit. “Because living in Darwin, everything had to be shipped in. We totally take the availability of all our wonderful produce for granted.” Food Bowl of Plenty might just help to change that attitude. Western Bay Museum’s Food Bowl of Plenty exhibition will o er food for thought and understanding from March 23 to May 31, 2024.

Hunter Wells

Museum manager Paula Gaelic with wine from the Food Bowl of Plenty. Photo: John Borren.

The first 100 days

March 8 marked 100 days of our Government getting New Zealand back on track.

As promised, the Government delivered on all 49 actions within its 100-day plan, focused on initiatives to help rebuild the economy and ease the cost of living.

e last government’s mismanagement of the economy will take time to undo but New Zealanders can be assured that the country is back on the right track. We are focused as a coalition Government on putting more money in people’s pockets, delivering better value

for public money, and enabling private enterprise.

Already we have refocused the Reserve Bank on reducing in ation and kicked o work to reduce wasteful spending across the public sector.

We’ve also cancelled fuel tax hikes for this term, repealed the Ute Tax and stopped work on Labour’s Jobs Tax.

New Zealanders voted for change with a clear mandate to bring discipline back to public

spending. As your local MP, I’ve heard from my constituents about how their households have been a ected by the rising cost-of-living and the challenging decisions families have had to make to manage within their budget.

We understand the tough choices you’re making every day. We’re on it – cutting taxes, making homes more a ordable, and putting money back in your pocket.

e coalition Government will continue working hard to rebuild public con dence in the economy and to restore scal discipline.

Enter an eggcellent Easter basket giveaway!

March is now in full swing, and Easter is just around the corner!

Kiwi families are starting to prep for a long weekend of Easter lunches, egg hunts and fun, and are stocking up on eggs, decorations and crafts to keep the kids busy!

With plenty of Easter eggs available at e Warehouse and much-loved household favourites, you can stock up for a weekend the whānau won’t ever forget.

Enjoy new drops in dinnerware and novelty Easter table decorations, along with baking,

cuddly bunnies, arts and crafts, activity books and much more.

And e Warehouse has plenty of prizes to be won in-store this March. Find a little Red Rabbit hiding in-store, hand it to a team member and win an instant prize. ere are 50,000 prizes up for grabs.

e Weekend Sun has one Easter hamper to give away, thanks to e Warehouse, to one lucky reader who can tell us how many prizes e Warehouse has to give away? Enter online at: www.sunlive. co.nz under the Competitions section. Entries must be received by Tuesday, March 26.

Redecorating Renovating or Building?

Stone specialist comes to rescue of Cenotaph

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Tauranga’s Memorial Park Cenotaph has been restored to its former glory by a team of natural stone sealing specialists ahead of this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.

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e historic memorial was built in 1954 as a monument to fallen Worl d War II soldiers from the Bay of Plenty region.

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Sonya Nielson of Elevate Sealing Solutions noticed the cenotaph was looking dirty, dull “and in dire need of our attention” so approached Tauranga City Council. “ e council was very proactive in wanting this job done before Anzac Day services –so we got to work in February.”

Elevate Sealing Solutions’ owner Brett Noble says his Tauranga-based business – which services the entire North Island – specialises in cleaning and sealing new and existing Hinuera and Oamaru stone on council and commercial projects, and residential homes.

Hinuera stone

around ve years. And with our database we’ll follow up in ve years’ time to keep on top of any maintenance required.”

“ e Memorial Park Cenotaph is made of Hinuera stone – we’ve sealed the memorial, garden walls and concrete base with a water-based sealer that will repel water and inhibit the mould growth, maintaining this clean appearance for

Since the work in February Brett’s had people comment that they’d never actually seen or noticed the Cenotaph before due to its dark and mouldy appearance. “And we want more of the community to know the cenotaph has been upgraded ahead of Anzac Day.”

e Elevate Sealing Solutions team of three including Brett, Casie and Sonya work from town-to-town cleaning, sealing and restoring Hinuera and Oamaru stone structures – whether it be homes, walls, memorials, statues etc.

“We also specialise in porous products such as decorative concrete surfaces, standard concrete and aggregate,” says Brett. “ ese concrete surfaces are usually ones people don’t want to change the look of – the cleaning and sealing products we use are NZ-made and non-hazardous, which makes them safe for around aquatic applications too.”

Unique

Brett, who has more than 25 years’ specialising in the trade, has an extensive knowledge of natural stone and its characteristics. He says Hinuera and Oamaru stone are high-end natural products – so you need a specialist dealing with it. “I believe our business is quite unique in what we do, and we are council-approved. We also help educate people on how to look after their stonework too.”

Next week Elevate Sealing Solutions will work on Memorial Park’s soundshell war memorial. “We’ll put fencing around the Anzac Memorial, and the soundshell and clean and seal this area too – ready for the Anzac Parade.” Watch this space!

e Memorial Park Cenotaph before being cleaned. Photos: supplied.

e end result, after cleaning and sealing work by Elevate Sealing Solutions.

Remodelled history on The Strand

More than 100 years since it was built in 1918, the St Amand Hotel on The Strand is having a new lease of life breathed into it.

Today’s St Amand Hotel building is the same building that stood in 1918, which replaced the initial building destroyed in a fire in 1916. Owned by husband and wife Sarah Meadows and Matt Young, who operate the upper level backpackers – Wanderlust – say St Amand has had “a huge amount of history go through it”.

Staging Post Hotel

“It was originally a five-star hotel, which serviced the high-end clientele that came down on horse and carts from Auckland,” says Matt.

“They stayed there and had butler and waitress service. Typically they were moving south and going to the see the Rotorua Lakes so it was a sort of staging post hotel. There were three of them in town and [St Amand’s] the only one that’s left.”

The building is listed as a Category 2 historic heritage place by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. “It’s got a lot of really cool historical features throughout the building,” says Matt. These include the rimu staircase and the building’s front façade, which is believed to be designed in a Stripped Classical style.

The couple bought the building in 2019, with the renovation process “very stressful” during Covid-19. “We just didn’t want to see the building red-stickered,” says

Sarah. “So we worked extremely hard the last four years to produce a five-star hostel and an incredible event space that hopefully Tauranga will be proud of.”

A big part of the renovation was earthquake strengthening, where they took the earthquake rating from 19 per cent to 67 per cent.

“We had to cut holes in the floor to start with and put 12 in-situ walls – concrete and steel walls,” says Matt. “So we dug up by hand shovel and wheelbarrow and we had to dig up 80m3 of soil from underneath it around where the foundations were.

“There was a layer of soil, maybe a couple of feet down, where that whole area had burned down in 1916. So we actually dug through the burn land. There’s a lot of

artefacts all through it. We had to have the iwi on-site as we dug down looking in case we ran into [human] skeleton remains.

“We didn’t run into any of those but we found lots of animal bones.”

Lower level

The building’s lower level has been completely remodelled and refurbished into a unique functions space – St Amand Events Venue.

“We wanted it like it would be back in the 1920s period,” says Sarah. “We’ve got big chandeliers, gold, we’ve got a built-in press tin ceiling and a bar from one end to the other.”

The venue has hosted events this year. “We thought how wonderful it would be to have all the locals remember their times drinking at

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the pub back in the day. It’s more the emotional connection that lots of our guests had when they came through over the years,” says Matt. “They just

fell in love with the building and fell in love with being there. It’s got a lot of character and a great feel about it.”

Georgia Minkhorst

St Amand Hotel legacy lives on and is home to Wanderlust backpackers and St Amand Events Venue. Photo: Brydie Thompson.

The Perspective Nature range. Photo: supplied.

The biggest challenge is just getting started

You’ve decided you want to update your bathroom or kitchen – or perhaps you’re doing a full home makeover.

Don’t know where to start?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Often one of the biggest hurdles people face with a renovation of any kind is just getting started. ey either don’t know what they want, don’t know how much they need to spend to get what they want, or they’re crippled with indecision for fear of getting it wrong.

Firstly, get clarity on your

can call upon to provide you with ideas and insights, are up-to-date with latest trends and fads, while still being practical too. en they can interpret what you want and design your spaces, ideally o ering a 3D walkthrough, allowing you to visualise your space before you nalise the details and begin building.

budget. ere’s no point designing a $50,000 kitchen renovation if your budget is more around $20,000. Get clear on how much you want to invest in your project, be realistic as renovations usually cost more than you think, and then explore what’s possible.

Secondly, look for designers who specialise in renovations, have extensive experience they

irdly, while it’s tempting to DIY to minimise costs, watch for budget blowouts caused by lack of initial planning, the cost of your unpaid time, plus scheduling issues.

Here’s a tip: A good project manager is worth gold. ey will e ciently manage all the designs, quoting, scheduling, invoicing, budgeting controls, health and safety and more.

Famous tiles exclusive toTauranga store

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YOUR HOME YOUR SANCTUARY

“ ese fully vitri ed unglazed ne tiles are made of natural materials – mainly clay – from Europe, which produce a non-porous tile that is the ideal versatile product for all types of residential and commercial projects, traditional or contemporary, both inside and outside,” says resident interior designer Michelle Hedges.

Winckelmans tiles are easy maintenance and have excellent stain resistance so they can be used in commercial kitchens, swimming pools – and, thanks to the through-body colour and thickness, they are robust and fade resistant.

“Bring in your ideas for your entranceway, bathroom, patio or kitchen, whether traditional or modern styling, and we will guide you through the process until you have a design you can’t live without,” says branch manager and tiling expert Ian Goodger.

“ ese tiles have been around for ve generations of the Winckelmans Family and have achieved global recognition! So how can you go wrong?

“We have our Winckelmans stock in our Wellington Distribution Centre, which delivers to Tauranga twice-a-week.

“We have a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours in our famous Winckelmans tiles in-store for you to look at in person, so come on in.”

Tile Trends is open 7.30am-5pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm Saturdays.

Come and visit Ian and Michelle at Tile Trends Tauranga, on Koromiko St, to have a look at the range, and to discuss your project.

Getting clarity on budget is key before designing a renovation.

World famous Winckelmans, for contemporary or heritage design. Photo: supplied.

New home building rules for WBOP

Rules to help fast-track housing in Ōmokoroa and Te Puke are now in place.

is month Western Bay of Plenty District Council made changes to its planning rules to allow up to three homes of up to three storeys on a single site in the two towns – in line with the Government’s medium-density residential standards.

More houses

Known as ‘Plan Change

92 Ōmokoroa and Te Puke Enabling Housing Supply and Other Supporting Matters’, the new rules allow more houses to be built in existing residential areas with access to

infrastructure, amenities and community facilities that are already in place. Homes that meet the standards don’t require resource consents but still need building consents.

e nine density standards include allowing three homes on a site and houses up to 11 metres high. Half of a site can be covered in buildings, and there’s requirements to provide outdoor living space and on-site landscaping.

Te Puke and Ōmokoroa are the only towns in the district that have existing or planned urban populations that t the brief for

the new law – earmarked for greater housing intensi cation.

New land

e Plan Change also zones new land for housing in these towns such as Stage 3 of Ōmokoroa – including Prole and Francis roads – and Seddon St in Te Puke. ese areas will have similar rules to those for existing residential areas.

homes that are being built and ensure there is a strong connection between private and public spaces to enhance the character of our communities. It’s now up to us to think innovatively on how we use the rules to deliver a range of modern housing opportunities that meet the needs of our community – not only today but into the future.

support that population.”

James says while the rules aim to create more positive housing outcomes and alleviate pressure on the housing system, careful planning and consideration has gone into ensuring they work for the district’s speci c needs and character.

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer says the new rules create more certainty and guidance for council and developers to help address housing shortages.

“We’ll now have better control over the types of

Delivering high-quality electrical assistance

When it comes to reliable and e cient electrical services, look no further than Solve X Electrical.

Solve X Electrical is a family-owned business dedicated to catering to both residential and commercial electrical needs with the utmost professionalism.

“With a commitment to delivering high-quality, cost-e ective solutions, we take great pride in ensuring our customers’ satisfaction,” says managing director Juan Hurter.

“Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the quality of our services.

“We believe in fostering strong, long-term relationships with our clients by providing unparalleled customer service.”

e team at Solve X

Electrical understand the importance of safety in electrical work.

at’s why they place the highest level of priority on being fully insured and implementing health and safety measures throughout all their services.

“What sets Solve X Electrical apart from the competition is our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality electrical assistance at an a ordable cost,” says Juan.

“We understand the importance of budget constraints, and we aim to provide coste ective solutions without compromising on quality.”

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“We are also in the process of producing a spatial plan for Te Puke, to understand what the population growth of the town and wider area is likely to be during the next 30 years, and what land might be needed for housing and business development to

An independent panel provided recommendations on the new housing rules and the supporting rule changes, and council recommended alternative rules for the Minister to decide on where it doesn’t agree with what the panel recommended. For more on the new rules, see the council’s website.

Managing director Juan Hurter.

The e-208 ticks all the boxes

If you’ve been weighing up options and considering moving into the electric car market, then it is certainly worth considering the Peugeot e-208.

For a start it looks great and unlike many battery powered cars it’s almost impossible to tell it’s electric at all.

Peugeot has done a superb job keeping the looks and styling of the standard petrol 208 models, which are one of the best small cars on the market. I recently test drove the Peugeot e-208 for a weekend and have

to say I was impressed by its handling, comfort and styling along with its range… 380km on a full charge.

I also had a fellow motorsport journalist staying with me for the weekend, who informed me when I picked him up at the airport that he’d never driven an electric car. is is going to be fun. We will get to his verdict shortly!

Plenty of power

e Peugeot e-208 is in its element around town with plenty of response from the electric motor giving you all the power you need to negotiate

tra c. Being electric, the response on the accelerator is instant. It also handles itself exceptionally well on the open road. ere is ample power to overtake slower tra c when needed. From the driver’s perspective, I have always loved Peugeot’s iCockpit digital instruments. e speedo, rev counter and so on – you look over the steering wheel, rather than through it. Even more impressive is the ‘3D’ of the e-208’s digital drivers display, which makes for a much clearer instrument read out no matter which screen you choose to select. Every bit of information is there, right in

front of you, from maps to distance remaining on the battery, to your speed. You also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. I love it.

Driver comfort

Driver comfort is superb with plenty of leg room for driver and passenger and the seats are rm yet comfortable. Although the Peugeot e-208 is a relatively small car, even tall people like me will nd plenty of room for legs and head. ere’s also ample room in the boot with no loss of space due to the battery. e e-208 has the same boot capacity as the petrol model, at 311 litres.

On the charging side of things, you have three choices. You can charge it at home on a normal power outlet, although this does take some time – it’s best to plug in in overnight. A wall box in the garage at home will speed the charging process up to just a few hours – or you can use the fast chargers around the country where it will take around 30 minutes to go from zero to 80 per cent.

And to the verdict from my motorsport colleague: “ is was my rst experience

of driving an electric car, a prospect that I faced with very little enthusiasm. After all, there would be no sound and therefore very little excitement. As a result it would feel like a car that lacked any soul.

Value for money

“Well, the little blue electric Peugeot e-208 proved me wrong on most of these counts. e smoothness of the power unit was wonderful, as was the acceleration, which really blew me away.

“ e distraction of a lack of sound was largely compensated for by the driving experience.

“Outside the car, the silence would not have excited me, but from a driver’s or passenger’s perspective, such a traditional point of view from a motoring enthusiast all seemed irrelevant.”

e e-208 certainly ticks all the boxes if you are looking for an electric car that has style and performance and is very good value for money.

For more information about this and other BEV and ICE models, contact Shorland Peugeot and Citroen, on: 07 579 5080 or at 619-627 Cameron Rd, Tauranga.

Brian Kelly

Nomadic souls in motorhomes, drawn from every corner of the country, are sharing a common passion for the open road.

As they set up their lakeside campsites, an invisible thread weaves through the air, connecting strangers bound by the shared love for life on wheels.

Katikati’s Michael Burke says an unprecedented November gathering of 28 Nissan Civilian motorhomes on the shore of Lake Whakamaru made for a historic rally in New Zealand. “Certainly the biggest gathering of Nissan Civilians in one spot.”

He joined a Facebook group in December 2022 while seeking fellow Nissan Civilian owners. “And to nd information about other members around my area that I could meet up with.

Loving life on wheels

“Lester Price created a Facebook group over three years ago for people to join and get information about di erent Nissan Civilian motorhomes, their likes and dislikes, engine problems etcetera.

I was ‘wow’ there are 940 members in the group.”

Michael says Lester told him they’d talked of having a meet up but nothing had eventuated.

“My birthday was coming up so I decided: ‘Let’s create an event’,” says Michael.

28 motorhomes

He thought 10-15 people would show but it surpassed all expectations, drawing enthusiasts with 28 motorhomes ranging from 1984 to 2010 models.

“Most of them are around the early-1990s, they’re still going strong and will still be going strong for another 500,000km.

“ ey go for about one million

kilometres if you keep them serviced. ey’re one of the best range of motors that Nissan has.”

A caravan of motorhome a cionados embarked on a scenic journey leaving Wellington on November 6, winding through New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes to converge at Lake Whakamaru. Participants from regions across Aotearoa came together for the rst time, putting faces to names and solidifying the bonds forged online.

Michael says the week-long rendezvous at Lake Whakamaru evolved into a transformative journey of forging enduring friendships.

“During the week, we had all our doors and windows open.

“Everyone is walking around talking with each other, checking out each other’s motorhomes.”

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

e Nissan Civilian meet up at Lake Whakamaru. Photo: Remi Portier.

Lester Price and Michael Burke with their motorhomes. Photo: supplied.

Rosalie Liddle-Crawford

news

What to do after a diagnosis of dementia

Being diagnosed with dementia can be frightening, and is usually coupled with the question: ‘What now?’

Often the rst piece of advice you receive is to “get your a airs in order” – but this is not the time to be doing this. Dementia is usually a gradual process that gives you plenty of time and opportunity to do those things. Now is the time to gather as much information as you can, as well as do things that make you smile and laugh.

Don’t rush at changing things or doing things di erently – you are the same person that you were yesterday, the only di erence today is you have a diagnosis.

Allow yourself time to get used to the diagnosis and nd out as much as you can about it.

Focusing on ‘living your life’ is so important but can get pushed to the sidelines as you start to wonder about the future. Equally important is nding out about your particular type of dementia.

Superheroes raise $21K for Waipuna Hospice

Superheroes from all over the Bay dusted o their masks and capes to answer the call from Waipuna Hospice for this year’s Superhero Walk.

Part fundraiser, part community walk, e Superhero Walk is an event that gives people not only the chance to honour and celebrate those they hold dear, but to support those facing endof-life and bereavement in our local community through the work of Waipuna Hospice.

For four weeks Bay of Plenty residents fundraised for Waipuna Hospice, reaching out to their networks for support. en, on March 16, participants and community members came

Many information sources are broad brush-strokes and talk about typical journeys, but I have yet to meet anyone that ts the ‘typical journey’ as we are all individual and respond to having dementia in our own way. It’s also important to seek out someone who will see ‘you’ and not just your diagnosis – you are not your diagnosis, you are you. If you’d like to have a chat about your dementia, give me a call. Ruth omas, EnlivenPlus Phone: 07 547 4349. EnlivenPlus provides specialist dementia care from $60.

together at the Superhero Celebration Walk to honour and celebrate the heroes in their lives. Attendees put on their capes and masks to walk the course, starting at Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui.

Waipuna Hospice CEO Richard urlow says they are extremely grateful to their local community who together helped raise $21,312.58. e 2024 Superhero fundraising page will remain open until 9am, Monday, March 25, so visit: 2024-superhero-walk.raisely.com/donate

news and views for the over 55s

Pāpāmoa village centre now open!

e brand-new village centre at Summerset by the Dunes in Pāpāmoa opened in February, bringing a range of modern, resort-style facilities to the village for residents to enjoy.

e village centre is an extension of residents’ homes, o ering a mix of active and relaxing spaces. is includes an indoor pool and spa, hair salon, café and bar, library, recreational bowling green and resident workshop. e centre opening also means that the full range of living options are now available. From villas and cottages, to serviced apartments, care, and industry-leading memory care centre for people living with dementia. Hannah Rijnbeek says residents have made quick use of the spaces by inviting family and friends to

enjoy the pool and spa, chatting in the café over a cuppa, and joining new classes and activities in the communal areas. “ ere are also spaces and time to relax, with the on-site hair salon and beauty clinic welcoming residents to enjoy restorative relaxation and pampering after moving in.”

Summerset by the Dunes is located in a peaceful setting, away from the hustle and bustle of busy roads. Tucked neatly into a quiet suburban setting, residents enjoy the low maintenance lifestyle of retirement living, with everything at their ngertips and the con dence that should their needs change in the future, support is on hand.

To nd out more about the available homes at Summerset by the Dunes, or to tour the village and see for yourself why residents love the summerset life, call Brenda Drew on: 07 542 9082.

Think more time for quality time

Think Summerset serviced apartments

Our serviced apartments at Summerset by the Dunes in Papamoa are located right in the heart of the village within a safe and secure gated community.

They offer light and spacious open plan living, a kitchenette and separate double bedroom with a large ensuite. And, extra support is always on hand.

Come along to one of our upcoming Open Weekends at Summerset by the Dunes, tour our stunning new serviced apartment show home and village centre and see for yourself why our residents love the Summerset life. Tours depart at 10:30am and 1pm.

Open Weekends, 10am - 2pm

Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 March

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 March

Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 March

Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 March

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

Summerset by the Dunes residents at the village centre opening.

A home in the heart of Ohauiti

Finding a place to call home isn’t always an easy task – but at Carmel Country Estate, home truly is where the heart is.

Nestled in the heart of Ohauiti and north-facing, Carmel Country Estate boasts magni cent gardens and villas amongst 16 acres, soaked in all day sun.

Carmel is situated 10 minutes from Bayfair and e Crossing at Tauriko, and provides a courtesy bus to go shopping each week. “We have a beautiful, elevated site, enjoying all aspects of living from expansive waterviews, countryside vistas or just private seclusion. So, it’s a special location,” says Carmel Country Estate owner Jason Rowling.

Jason says one of Carmel’s biggest assets is that it’s privately owned and operated and has an open-door policy.

“Residents get treated more like a family member

rather than a number; and our sta go beyond their call of duty to make sure our residents enjoy the golden years of their retirement.”

e Village Community Centre is fully equipped with a hair salon, beauty salon, library, gym, billiards and games room, outdoor/indoor bowling greens, woodwork and engineering workshop and a croquet and pétanque court.

“We also host a visiting podiatrist and our resident nurse conducts free health checks.

“I see residents every day when they come through our doors in the Community Centre and I’ve got to make sure they’ve got a smile on their face,” says Jason.

“Residents often comment that when they drive through Carmel’s gates, they feel like they are home and that’s what is important to us; it’s more than a village, it’s a home.”

Carmel Country Estate owner Jason Rowling joins residents on the bowling green. Photo: John Borren

Across

7. Break up (12)

8. Disgrace (6)

9. Caterpillar (6)

10. Maori priest (7)

12. Like (5)

15. Domineering (5)

16. Settlement (SI) (7)

18. Hits (6)

20. Oar (6)

22. Second world war hero (7,5)

No. 1877

6. Blood vessel (4)

11. Inhospitable (8)

13. Overburden (8)

14. Exceed (7)

17. Hymn (5)

19. Rodents (4)

21. Stupid (4)

Easter brings the jazz – and more...

e jazz festival is here. Yes, e Port of Tauranga 61st National Jazz Festival, now expanded to 10 days, has arrived.

‘Blue Eyes – e Music of Frank Sinatra’, a play featuring said titular music, has ve shows at the 16 Ave eatre, starting Saturday, March 23 – the same day as Katikati’s street party.

I’ve already written about the festival, but in loose terms. I am, as should be obvious, a full-on supporter of the event so I assume that, along with me, you’ve immediately rushed online to the festival website and checked it out.

But maybe not... Perhaps you are new to the area; perhaps you had an unpleasant experience with a jazz musician at a formative age.

I realise, in retrospect, that many might be less excited by a ‘jazz festival’.

So let me say this loud and clear: it’s a lot more than a jazz festival.

I mean that in two ways. Firstly, when Tauranga turns out for big events, it’s kinda magni cent.

Combine music – of whatever sort – food, drink, happy crowds, and the beauty of the area, and you have a pretty good combination for enjoyment.

It’s worth it for the vibe alone at the jazz festival. e music

But then there’s the music. It’s not just jazz –although any form of music that encapsulates Louis Armstrong, Amy Winehouse and Keith Jarrett is a pretty broad church – but the myriad of related musical styles: soul, funk, blues, Afrobeat, there are many...

I planned to review the new Flaming Mudcats’ album this week but common sense intervened and instead I’ll do a dedicated blues column after the festival. I’m listening to it as I write and it’s fantastic. ey’ll be at the festival, on Good Friday,

Playing at Baycourt eatre on Saturday, May 4, ‘DIVAS!’ is set to be a stunning night of hits from the greatest divas of our time.

March 29, at the Jazz Village at e Historic Village and on Saturday, March 30, at the Downtown Carnival – pure electric blues and as good as you get.

Other non-jazz acts playing downtown on Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31, include e Desotos, Kokomo, e Afrolites, Retro Groove and more.

To say there’s something for everyone at the Downtown Carnival may not strictly be true but there’s certainly more variety than most could have imagined.

Outdoors and in is year the carnival combines both its recent models. ere is music from midday to 6pm on three outdoor stages as well as a dozen bars and restaurants; everything from big bands to intimate duos, piano combos to massed New Orleans funk. is is the point I expect

e Weekend Sun readers have a chance to win tickets to a sold-out show coming to town in May!

‘DIVAS!’ will feature songs from the best in the business, including Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, ABBA, Beyonce, Adele, Shania Twain, Nina Simone

everyone to rush online and look it up. See: jazz.org.nz – it’s all there.

If I might suggest a few downtown things that interest me: Big Tasty, Shaken Not Stirred, Nick Granville, Bonjour Madame, Chris Williamson, John Key (the pianist), Spiral, a pile of trios, and those other non-jazz bands I mentioned. Pretty much everything actually.

Seriously, this year is, I think, going to be bigger than previous jazz festivals. ere’s the Baycourt concerts, the Jazz Village, Jazz at e Mount...plus African funk at the Hurricane Party; jazz harbour cruises; a jazz cafe; a big band tea dance; and still more. Consider it recommended. Unreservedly.

Hear Winston’s latest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0F 8HKcmApA78xEeZaFX0Ay?si=01cb b141f6e548f0

and many, many more. e show will be performed by leading New Zealand entertainers, e Lady Killers. e all-star group encompasses national treasures Jackie Clarke, Tina Cross, Suzanne Lynch and their multitalented live band. is show is now soldout, but e Weekend Sun has one double pass of B-Reserve seats to DIVAS! to give away to one lucky reader who can name one of the members of e Lady Killers? Enter online at: www.sunlive.co.nz under the ‘Competitions’ section. Entries must be received by Tuesday, March 26.

Frank’s music in a meaningful on-stage story

Fans of live theatre – and those who love Frank Sinatra music – are in for a real treat this month as 16th Ave eatre o ers a captivating cabaret as part of the 61st Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival.

‘Blue Eyes – e Music of Frank Sinatra’ at 16th Ave eatre will show from March 23-March 28.

Director Merv Beets says ‘Blue Eyes’ is a cabaret with a story – so not only will the live music hero Frank Sinatra songs, the live theatre will tell an emotional story that will seduce the audience.

“ e story is set around a woman called Frances, who nds fan letters written by her late mother to Frank Sinatra. From the letters Frances learns her mother was a singer in a band before she married.

Poignant story

“ e show icks back to then, and Frances is transported back in time –as is the audience – to when her mother was a singer and what happened to her dreams… “ en it icks back to the present as Frances insists her mother’s funeral must have music – this is where the Frank Sinatra music comes in… It’s a quite poignant story – it has lovely moments – but it’s also very sad.”

As such, Merv says ‘Blue Eyes’ will send audiences on a captivating, music- lled journey which aptly showcases 16th Ave’s involvement in the Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival.

A six-piece band

e production is brought to life by cast Michelle Coombe, Sarah Julou, Sam Howe and Luca Robinson, with musicians Barbara Caygill, Je Baker, Michael Van Lieshout, Neville Grenfell and Lucy Coyle. “We have dancer Charlotte Howe providing another element – and a six-piece band

performing live. is band is led by professional musician Mark Dennison who plays with Tauranga Big Band,” says Merv. “ e band, including two local secondary school students, are well-known in their eld, and so the music will be exceptionally crafted.”

Merv says ‘Blue Eyes’ will appeal to Frank Sinatra fans and theatre-lovers alike! “Kiwi playwright April Phillips has created a touching storyline into which she’s woven many Frank Sinatra songs.”

‘Blue Eyes – e Music of Frank Sinatra’ is at 16th Ave eatre at from Saturday, March 23 to ursday, March 28. Tickets to the 90-minute, no-interval show cost adult $40 each (allocated seating and service fees apply) from: jazz.org.nz

e Weekend Sun has ve double passes to ‘Blue Eyes’ to give away to ve lucky readers who tell us who wrote the play. Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the ‘competitions’ tab. Entries must be received by Tuesday, March 26.

Sam Howe and Michelle Coombe perform in ‘Blue Eyes’. Photo: Pete Luxford Photography.

Merle Cave

BETH

Churches Active In Our Community

SABBATH

As I get older it seems the world is moving faster and faster. e world blares at me another con ict; another argument; another di erence of opinion. Climate, chaos, confusion. ‘Everybody’s talking at me, I don’t hear a word they’re saying’…everyone has a story, a view that I ‘need to hear’. Does it ever stop?

Do you ever stop?

In his book ‘Ordering your Private World’, Gordon MacDonald talks about needing a ‘Still Time, Safe Place and Special Friends’ as an antidote to the trauma that seems to surround us.

at’s really challenging when the noise never seems to stop. With Easter upon us, and the demands that we avail ourselves of buns and eggs, and the DIY that needs doing ‘now you have a few days o ’, I wonder if you can nd space and time during the long weekend to be alone? And have some still time?

Can you go someplace, even if it is around

home: a safe place? And are their special friends that can enrich and add value to your life?

Easter is God’s ‘Full Stop’ to our craziness. Here in the ‘old, old story’ is still time, where for a moment of time everything stopped. Paradoxically there is a safe place as God shut evil down in one dramatic moment. And there are special friends, even in the face of betrayal. Maybe you can stop by a place of worship at Easter and nd all three ingredients to help regain your sanity?

Donald Carter, Parish pastor, Holy Trinity Tauranga

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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, 4 years old. Katikati Road Katikati. Ref 604745

FOUND RABBIT, Pointed White/ Himi, Male, approximately 4 months. Urban Ridge, Brookfield. Ref 604545. Ph SPCA 07 578 0245 storage wanted

GARAGE SPACE WANTED for storage and despatch. Single garage that is dry with easy vehicle access. $180 per month for 12 month term. Ideal area,Ohauiti,Pyes pa area,but anywhere considered. Ph 0272 568 014

trades & services

ROOF REPAIRS Free quotes for all maintenance of leaking roofs, gutter cleaning & repairs. Chimney maintenance & repairs. Registered roofer, 30yrs exp. Ph Peter 542 4291 or 027 436 7740 recently departed