The Weekend Sun - 28 March 2024

Eggstraordinary!

More than 100 colourful rocks will be hidden within Te Puna Quarry this Easter Sunday, thanks to a Bethlehem woman who wants to spread the joy of Easter. Jen Andrew has been hand-painting more

than 100 rocks with vibrant pictures for kids – like ve-year-old Isla Mills, pictured – to nd and exchange for chocolate on March 31. e rock hunt – held at Te Puna Quarry from 9am – is free and Jen says the

Easter bunny will be present for children to say ‘hello’ to, as well. Read more on page 13, where we also highlight Te Puke’s EPIC Egg-Stravaganza – Easter Sculpture Trail & Fair. And the Easter bunny – he’s a busy

rabbit! – will also dot 1000 chocolate eggs in e Historic Village on Easter Sunday for youngsters to nd and eat, while feeding cheer to Tauranga Hospital’s children’s ward – read more on page 23. Photo:

John Borren.

e cheese had totally slid o her cracker. Work

Wife was having conniptions, going nuts. All over a hot cross bun. Not an ordinary hot cross bun admittedly.

An adulterated one, a bastardised one, a vomit-inducing one.

“ is is sacrilegious, deeply disrespectful,” she blazed on –all orid, spittle ying, arms ailing and seriously testing their hold on their sockets.

“Breathe deeply,” I o ered.

“ ink of something positive, something nice, something funny – like the Crusaders going ve and none – losing their rst ve Super games.

“ at should bring joy.”

e picture

at’s when she thrust a picture of the o ending bun under my nose – a hot cross bun ice cream sandwich – a split hot cross bun, lled with ice cream and nonpareils, drizzled with melted chocolate.

And dripping with calories.

our ice cream in a cone. History supports us. Hot cross buns sans ice cream, sprinkles and chocolate sauce, are symbolic of that signi cant day in Christian faith when Jesus was cruci ed at Golgotha. Golgotha from the Latin ‘calva’, meaning bald head or skull. Golgotha is a skull-shaped hill just beyond the walls of Jerusalem. Amazing what you learn when researching hot cross buns. e bun is adorned with a cross made of tasteless our paste, symbolic of the cross on which he died. e spices in hot cross buns are said to represent the spices that were used to embalm Christ after his death.

“See!” she yelled. “See!” I thought she was about to arrest over a hot cross bun.

But yes, I was starting to ‘see’. ere are some things that should not be ddled or meddled with.

Like hot cross buns. ey should be inviolable. ere should be no need. ey are a simple, humble and symbolic pleasure.

I was kind of hoping hot cross ice cream sandwiches weren’t real. Could it be that Kate Middleton was messing with Photoshop again?

“A hot cross bun is sacrosanct,” said Work Wife. Well, screamed. “Just leave them be.”

Sacrosanct – like endangered Hector’s dolphins Sir Russell, like freedom of the press and music copyright don’t you think Winston?

“Chumbawamba! Chambawamba!” Like school lunches David Seymour. ere are some things that should not be messed with.

Work Wife wasn’t nished.

“And how will we lever the kids o the ceiling once they’re all sugared up on these abominations. “Do they come with a manufacturer’s warning?”

A verse for the times

Let’s all wind down, sing a traditional song and clap our hands in unison.

“Hot cross buns, hot cross buns, One ha’penny, two ha’penny, hot cross buns, If you have no daughter, Give them to your son, Hot cross bun ice cream sandwiches. Stick them up your bum!”

You can sense the deep upset here because we prefer

No mention of ice cream, sprinkles and chocolate sauce...

But then when the toasted aromatics are drifting up the nose, the butter is dripping down the chin and speckled dried fruit and mixed peel are raking at the taste buds, I wonder how many people actually give thought to the symbolism of it all?

Do they stop mid-mouthful and ponder the Easter message. Or whether they should be sco ng hot cross buns on any day other than the designated Good Friday. Maybe not.

Slap’em in jail

Queen Elizabeth I, the ‘Virgin Queen’ who ruled husbandless and therefore childless, would not have been amused by hot cross bun ice cream sandwiches. She issued a royal edict, declaring hot cross buns would not be eaten every day of the year – just Good Friday, Christmas perhaps and burials.

ose who transgressed ended up in the slammer.

Quite right! She also declared there would be no cheese and onion in hot cross buns, nor hundreds and thousands, ice cream and chocolate sauce.

I made that bit up. But she should have enshrined it in law.

is all gave rise to a personal con ict of loyalty.

Because when Cadbury’s closed its operation in Dunedin – my hometown, where the heart lies –and moved holus-bolus to Australia I took a stand, a petty one. I would not buy Cadbury and support Australian jobs, companies and economy to the cost of New Zealand.

I shifted my loyalty to Whittaker’s. But now I am left torn after it issued a limited edition ‘Choc Cross Bun’ cake of chocolate – added natural mixed spices, raisins and orange oil to its creamy milk chocolate.

How can I bang on willy-nilly about exploitation of the humble hot cross bun then go out and buy hot cross bun- avoured chocolate?

Quite easily I suspect.

and available to collect at many stand locations throughout the area. For a full list of stand locations see https://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations.html

by Sun Media Ltd, an independent and locally owned company based at 1 The Strand, Tauranga.

Animal rescue closes

e lives of animal are at risk while a Tauranga animal rescue is forced into a temporary closure due to soaring vet bills.

Vada’s Angels – a volunteer-run, non-pro t organisation – has made the di cult decision to close its doors to incoming animals as it tries to improve its nancial situation. “It is with heavy hearts that we share this message,” says founder Kat ompson.

Asked if temporary closure was the only option, Kat says: “Sadly, right now it is. If we keep going, the bills keep getting higher, and sadly most vets have been burnt in the past with people not paying, so they have a limit, which we completely understand”.

But Kat says every day the rescue’s doors are shut “it means there’s an animal that we have to say ‘No’ to and that means they may sadly lose their life”.

“People are not aware that would be the case.”

Kat says the rescue uses multiple vets across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, including veterinary clinics in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa, South Waikato and Rotorua.

Of the dogs in their care, 95 per cent are pound dogs which means they haven’t had the best starts, says Kat.

“We generally only step in if there are medical reasons such as broken limbs, mange, parvo or they are just unwell, or if the dogs are older, if the puppies are very young, or just because they have been in the pound months with no interest.”

Vada’s Angels works closely with three pounds.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s pound is the main focus. “ ey’ve been a huge support to us as

a rescue and we love working with them... All three pounds run awesome adoption programmes, but with fewer homes we are stepping in a lot more often as after six-eight weeks in pounds, it’s too much for dogs.

“Since December, we’ve welcomed 76 puppies/dogs, 50 kittens, and ve horses into our care.”

However, Kat says the reality of rescue work is it comes with signi cant nancial responsibilities.

“Our vet bills have grown to a point where we’re unable to bring in any more animals until these expenses are settled.”

Vet bills have built up due to many animals needing major surgeries. Kat says they’ve rescued puppies and kittens with badly broken legs that need amputating.

Kittens and puppies often come to Vada’s Angels with tails or ears cut o . “We have abandoned kittens/ puppies needing vaccination, desexing, worming, de- eaing, and in some cases milk powder supplement.

“Worm burdens can lead to infections.”

“All our pups are vet-checked, vaccinated, microchipped [to] council regulation, and desexed while in care. With the increase in cost, it’s getting a lot harder on rescue teams.”

Kat says the rescue relies 100 per cent on donations.

“We’re actively working on fundraising e orts and seeking support to clear these bills so we can reopen our doors to more animals in need...We will keep everyone updated on our progress.”To help clear Vada’s Angels Animal Rescue Tauranga’s vet bill, donate to the trust at 38-9022-0041883-00. Reference ‘vet’, and if you need a GST receipt, message the page with the name paid by and email address.

Thursday

Many animals needing major surgeries has pushed vet bills up for Vada’s Angels. Photos: Kat ompson.

Ayla Yeoman

Slip-a ected homeowners in a Tauranga suburb are closer to a solution after council this week agreed to fund a buyout in conjunction with the Government.

Extreme rainfall caused slips in Maungatapu on January 28, 2023, pushing one home o its foundation into the street.

e two large landslips on the Taipari Reserve, between Te Mutu Crescent and Egret Avenue, a ected 21 properties.

to participate in this,” says Phil. “Similarly, the residents aren’t obliged to accept our o ers.” Category 2 properties mean there is some risk to life, but it could be mitigated through interventions. ese properties could receive funding for the interventions.

“ ose residents have not been as impacted as much as others, and to that degree where we can reduce that risk down.

Worst a ected

BOOKYOURCONSULTATION TODAYANDBEONESTEP CLOSERTOHEALTHIERLEGS

At a meeting on Monday, Tauranga City Council agreed to a buyout of the worst a ected properties.

It could also help fund remediation projects for properties where the risk to life could be mitigated.

Eleven properties above and below the slip were categorised as there being an ongoing risk to life and property through an assessment from engineering consultants Tonkin and Taylor.

Of these, seven had a risk to life that was high, two were medium risk and two were deemed low risk to life.

Council strategic property team leader Phil Kai Fong says some of the properties were signi cantly impacted and faced an “intolerable risk to life” from future weather events.

ose properties are classi ed category 3 and aren’t safe to live in. Category 3 homes will be subject to a voluntary buyout. “It is a voluntary buyout basis. Council did not necessarily have

“So either through community level interventions or property level interventions,” says Phil.

One-o

How each of the properties are categorised was done in a publicexcluded session to maintain the privacy of a ected owners.

Council would then speak to them individually to discuss next steps.

e categorisations are preliminary and could change based on technical assessments, says Phil.

e Government will fund 50 per cent of the buyout after any insurance or Earthquake Commission payments are made through the Future of Severely A ected Locations programme, known as FOSAL. e rest will come from the council as a one-o through the Stormwater Reactive Reserve Fund. Phil says the underlying principle of FOSAL is to help the community move on faster from the e ects of the storm.

Welcome Bay Road - Waitaha Road

Safety improvements

Work starts on Wednesday, 3 April 2024 to make it safer for people to cross the road and to improve traffic flow. For the duration of the work this means:

• road closure on Waitaha Road with detour through James Cook Drive

• road closure on Forrester Drive with diversion through Esmeralda Street and Rangataua Street

• stop/go traffic management on Welcome Bay Road.

Look out for digital signboards for up-to-date information.

Please allow extra time for travel as delays are expected. Work will take around 12 weeks, weather dependent.

Debris behind one of the homes after the slip.

Photo: Taylor Rice.

FOSAL is a funding arrangement with councils set up by the Government in response to damage from the Auckland Anniversary Weekend oods, and Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle.

Extraordinarily complex

“ is has been an extraordinarily complex issue to work through as central government concentrated recovery e orts in the rst instance on the three most heavily a ected areas of Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti,” says Phil.

“We appreciate the impact of that event from 2023 and the incredibly di cult time that it has been for a ected residents.

“Getting to this point has taken longer than any of us may have expected or would’ve wanted ideally.”

Commission chair Anne Tolley says the residents had borne the “rather long and convoluted process” the council had been through.

She acknowledges the devastation to the lives of the a ected homeowners. “It’s unimaginable that

its 14 months now, since that happened.

“Hopefully today we start the beginning of the end of it, for them [the property owners].

“It is a very slow process to work through, but we’re delighted that we’ve been able to take part in the FOSAL system.”

Anne says the buyouts are an exception to council’s policy and are a “one-o ”.

Initially the council said it would not be responsible for the repair of the slips that a ected private property.

e details of the nancial assessments and the preliminary land categorisation will remain con dential inde nitely, says Anne.

e council will now advise property owners of their categorisation, enter negotiations with category 3 properties and negotiate with the Government over funding.

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

One of the Maungatapu homes was shunted into the street by the landslide in January 2023. Photo: John Borren.

Spreading help far and wide!

e Free Public Advocacy Service – which began mid-2022 to provide support for people struggling to be heard or know where to go for help – is opening two new clinics in the city.

e Free Public Advocacy Service currently has clinics – with volunteer advocates to talk to people

about their situations of concern – every week from 1pm-2.30pm on Tuesdays at Greerton Library, and on ursdays at Welcome Bay Community Centre.

Otumoetai clinic

Now the service is opening a third clinic this month at Otūmoetai Social Supermarket from 10am-11.30am every Friday.

And a fourth clinic will open at Pāpāmoa Library in early-April.

e Free Public Advocacy Service was developed and launched nearly two years ago by long-serving social sector volunteer and employee Carol Heena.

“It is a community based charity which helps people to become aware of their rights,” says Carol.

earners, for around 68 per cent of clients, wages aren’t their main source of income.”

In 2023 helping people with WINZ bene ts was the most common issue FPAS assisted clients with. Other common issues included housing, tenancies and ACC.

“Volunteer advocates can help clients with anything from completing forms, to navigating challenges or attending meetings where they need someone to speak up for them to an organisation.”

Easily available

Carol says she developed the service because she noticed that people in need of help often cannot nd advocates quickly enough to assist them.

“Our aim is for advocacy to be easily available and by opening more clinics around Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty, we can help more people.”

So far Carol says the FPAS has helped people from all walks of life who are in need – and it has no barriers around income or residency of those who seek advice or help.

“While help is not limited to low-income

Saturday,

Tuesday, 9 April 4pm

742

“FPAS has helped clients from those in their twenties to their late-eighties. We’re proud to have created a supportive and inclusive environment to navigate the challenges people face – and as we gain more volunteers we will continue to set up more clinics,” says Carol.

Volunteer to help!

Find out more about the Free Public Advocacy Service on their website at: freepublicadvocacyservice.co.nz Or for more information, contact Carol Heena by emailing: FPAS.Carol@gmail.com or call: 022 562 9845.

And if you are keen to become a advocate with the Free Public Advocacy Service – full training is given and no one works on their own until they’re ready to do so – give Carol a bell too!

Or see the advertisement in this edition on page 12.

Carol Heena.

Merle Cave

Nostalgic melodies and tunes oat out on the radio waves, creating foot-tapping beats and smiles across the community.

If you have a “heart and soul for music” you may just be who Village Radio is looking for! Radio chair Evan Turbott says the 30-plus volunteer team at the station, which is based at e Historic Village on 17th Ave West, are aging gracefully and on the scout for radio-loving recruits.

e Village Radio focuses on playing “nostalgic music” meaning songs that are 20 years or older. Evan says the older volunteers like to play tunes

from their generation – but age is not a factor when it comes to joining the volunteering ranks.

“I am very keen on seeing the radio move forward into the future and to do that we need younger people,” says Evan.

e Village Radio is after announcers, operators and engineers/technicians. “Operators are people who actually put on the CDs and vinyl discs for announcers who aren’t able to do that for themselves. e engineers are the ones who x faults with the old equipment because we broadcast them on old equipment deliberately.”

Rallying recruits for nostalgic radio

And the announcers – you guessed it – do the announcing. “I think you have to have a knowledge of music, a love for music, a care for music, a feel for music, and a heart and a soul for music,” says Evan. Committee member Ken Wadsworth says the radio station has a “lovely listening audience”. “ ey phone in and they want requests and they’ll phone up and say: ‘Oh you’re

playing some lovely music today...’

“So we love that sort of thing.” You can volunteer as much or as little as you like – whether that be two hours or seven hours a week.

“We’d like to be interviewing people as soon as possible,” says Evan. If you are interested in joining the team of volunteers at the Village Radio, email: info@villageradio.co.nz Or phone: 07 571 3710.

Georgia Minkhorst

e Village Radio’s Ken Wadsworth and Evan Turbott choosing the best nostalgic tunes. Photo: John Borren.

Pre Post

Cadets take on Greerton in cup final

Two Tauranga cricket clubs are squaring o at Bay Oval on Easter Saturday to decide the winner of the 2024 Williams Cup.

It’s a rare privilege for club cricket to be played on an international cricket wicket in NZ, however the Bay Oval Trust fosters the grassroots game by inviting signi cant Bay of Plenty club cricket matches to play on their world class venue.

e Otūmoetai-based Element IMF Cadets and Eves Realty Greerton side have both won multiple Bay of Plenty Cricket Williams Cup crowns.

Title defenders

On Saturday, March 30, the Cadets return to the scene of their last two back-to-back Williams Cup wins to defend their title against Greerton. Both teams have a number of game-winners in their ranks who’ve inked their credentials in the 2024 Versatile Williams Cup

at an average of 51, including two centuries.

Tim Clarke is a further Greerton batsman with an average of 50 runs or better, while captain/coach Anish Desai leads from the front with 167 runs to his name.

Tom MacRury is at the front of his team’s bowling achievements, with 15 wickets, while Jared Tutty and James

Greerton preceded their Easter weekend rival’s rst Williams Cup triumph, going back-toback in 1984 and 1985.

Five in the bag

However it was 27 long years before the big Baywide prize was returned to the Greerton trophy cabinet. Further Williams Cup success came in 2018 and 2020, to take the team’s Williams Cup

Otūmoetai’s Element IMF Cadets take on Eves Realty Greerton this Easter Saturday.

Musician needs help to get life-saving treatment

An online fundraising page has been set up for the community to support a Tauranga musician who is battling cancer and is trying to get the United Kingdom for treatment.

Chris Robinson was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer last June – nearly 12 months later his best bet to beat the illness is to head to the other side of the world.

Chris says New Zealand does o er the colorectal cancer chemotherapy

he needs – but it would be at a greater price than travelling overseas to receive it, as it would not be funded here in Aotearoa.

“It will be more a ordable to go to the UK as these treatments are funded there,” says Chris.

“My father is a British national and I’m able to get my citizenship.”

As such Chris’ good friend Austin Cunningham suggested creating a Givealittle page to raise funds to enable Chris to get treated in the UK. Austin says money raised will go towards treatment “and other

New designs from only $245,990*

Versatile Tauranga

30-32 Fifteenth Avenue, Tauranga

Phone: 07 578 8898

*Terms, conditions & exclusions apply. Visit versatile.co.nz for details.

amenities including airfares, transport and medical costs”.

Many Tauranga residents will know of Chris, who has been performing on the local music scene since 2013. “I’ve done lots of local gigs in Tauranga including festivals like Loserpalooza and Woodcock,” says the 42-year-old.

“[I] Even branched out to Auckland and Wellington with all my bands, which also included Hard rob and Slob.

“My greatest achievement is possibly the Tauranga Music Sux show, which I conceived

with Austin... [We] were doing regular YouTube shows documenting the Tauranga punk scene.” With his father a talented guitarist, this inspired Chris to follow in his footsteps.

“I started getting into music from a young age. My mother bought me a guitar and that sparked my interest in learning more about playing.

“When I was a teenager I picked it up again as I got heavily inspired by classic rock.

“I’ve been playing in bands since my early-twenties – both

in Wellington and Tauranga.

“I like music that has a message. Even if that message is just: ‘I’m just here to have some fun’. I’m a part of a band with my ancé Jessica Eden called ‘Choke ower’,” says Chris, who has future aspirations to lift Choke ower o the ground by moving to the UK.

But rst, he needs help kicking the big C. Find out more about Chris’ cancer battle, at: givealittle.co.nz/cause/ help-chris-robinson-get-to-theuk-to- nd

Ayla Yeoman

Chris Robinson has been performing on the local music scene since 2013. Photos: supplied.

Chris has stage three colorectal cancer.

Legal advice now based on the peninsula

Enjoy great legal advice without having to leave the comfort and convenience of the Ōmokoroa Peninsula!

Kaimai Law Bethlehem director Gemma Keystone is proud to announce the team has opened a new branch in the heart of Ōmokoroa.

“We can see that Ōmokoroa is growing into a community of its own and we want to be a part of it,” says Gemma.

Free Public Advocacy Service

“We want to be the rst port of call for people that live out here on the peninsula when they have any legal query.”

Based in e Village Ōmokoroa, at 97 Hamurana Rd, Kaimai Law o ers A to Z legal services, from conveyancing to family law, estate and litigation services, property, trusts, wills and more. “We’re a full service legal rm. ere isn’t really

much we can’t do. We do a lot!” Gemma says Kaimai Law provides a “small town feel” when o ering excellent services from its team of experts.

“We’re not a big law rm.

“We want to provide the kind of personal services you could expect from a small town rm, while having the scope and reach of a big city rm.

“We build relationships with our clients and make sure they are looked after. “Clients can call in on us now or they can contact me to schedule an appointment.”

Check out the new space for yourself and meet your local legal team! For more information, see the advert on this page.

Georgia Minkhorst

Kaimai Law Bethlehem director Gemma Keystone at the new branch in the heart of Ōmokoroa.

Photo: John Borren.

Rock up to a novel Easter hunt!

A Bethlehem woman is taking it upon herself to o er an egg-traordinary Easter hunt to youngsters this Sunday at one of the district’s well-known landmarks.

Jen Andrew has been busy sourcing and hand-painting more than 100 rocks with colourful pictures to hide around Te Puna Quarry Park for an Easter Rock Hunt on March 31.

“ e rocks will be hidden the night before once the park is closed. I’ll go in and hide everything,” says Jen, who runs her own art business JenStoneNZ on social media.

At 9am on Sunday, March 31, Jen has organised for the Easter bunny to be present – so children can meet the most famous rabbit and receive a balloon. en youngsters can

hunt the park, looking for the colourful stones that look like painted Easter eggs. “If they nd a rock or rocks they’re welcome to trade them in for a chocolate egg, then I’ll re-hide those rocks for other kids that aren’t lucky enough to nd one.

Free entry!

“

kids were left disappointed as they didn’t nd any. I don’t want that happening again!”

To nd out more about the Easter Rock Hunt see ‘JenStones NZ’ on Facebook.

Ayla Yeoman

ere’s 125 rocks altogether and other treats and stu for the kids.” Jen chose to do the hunt at the Te Puna Quarry Park because it’s a lovely place, there are plenty of places to hide rocks, and it is free entry – which means no one misses out. “ e hunt is 100 per cent

organised by myself – from the rock buying, washing, painting, to hiding them, purchasing prizes, the lot,” says Jen. “ e hunts are at a huge nancial loss for myself, but you’ve got to see the kids’ faces – it’s so worth it!” is is Jen’s second Easter-time rock hunt. “ e rocks were collected so quickly that some

An epic Easter of art and fun!

Get to Te Puke with your friends and family this Easter Sunday for the EPIC Egg-Stravaganza – Easter Sculpture Trail & Fair!

Put on your bunny ears and bound among the buzz and bustle of this Epic Te Puke-hosted event.

“We like to build fantastic experiences with the community to unite and engage with the community to create awesome memories and bring everyone together,” says Epic Te Puke’s Rebecca Larsen.

She says you can bike, walk, run or hop your way down Te Puke Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway trail – a 4km loop track – as you admire Easter Sustainable Art Sculptures and complete a bingo card to go in the draw to win prizes on the day!

Rebecca says ‘Nuit Blanche’ – White Night – an international arts festival has inspired her, where a city comes together for one night of art, performance and music. “It just gets everybody out looking at art all at once and the city comes alive. I just love the idea of bringing people together, out to see art... there’s a real buzz.” e event on Easter Sunday, March 31, is run in collaboration with Harvest Church, which is running

three Easter egg hunts during the morning. ere will also be donkey rides, market stalls, face painting, the Easter Bunny and more!

“For us, it’s all of these special occasions that you grow up with that I think are the memories you keep.” Rebecca thanks everyone who’s helped make this event happen. e Epic Egg-Stravaganza will run from 9am-1pm in Jubilee Park, Te Puke, on Easter Sunday, March 31.

Georgia Minkhorst

Isla Mills, 5, can’t wait for the Easter Rock Hunt at Te Puna Quarry Park. Photo: John Borren.

Te Puke ntermediate students Indie Taepa, Ava Heeney and Sadie Coats with their creations for the EPIC Egg-Stravaganza – Easter Sculpture Trail & Fair. Photo: John Borren.

FLORIST

now for the council election

e Electoral Commission is encouraging Tauranga City Council residents to check if they are enrolled to vote – so they’re ready for the council election on July 20.

“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 Electoral Commission deputy chief executive operations Anusha Guler.

Voters will be electing councillors from eight general wards and one Māori ward, as well as a mayor, to the Tauranga City Council in four months’ time.

“If you’re Māori, you can choose to be on the Māori electoral roll or General Electoral roll for the city council election,” says Anusha.

“Voters on the Māori roll will vote for a candidate in the new Māori ward, and voters on the General roll will vote for candidates in the general wards.”

Following a recent law change, voters of Māori descent can change the roll they are on at any time except in the three months before a general election, the local elections, or a parliamentary byelection.

e Commission is writing to enrolled voters of Māori descent to let them know that if they would like to change from the Māori roll to the General roll or the General roll to the Māori roll before the council election, they need to do so by midnight April 19.

People can enrol, check or update their enrolment details at: vote.nz or call: 0800 36 76 56 for more information.

Placing your trust in e Northern Group’s Shannen Kitney, Lee Stringer and Beth Dawson to market your home is to expect the very best and receive it.

It’s all about you and your property – they truly value your business.

Your loyalty is important and they’re dedicated to guiding you through the sales process and to give

Make

Mark

is on your team when it comes to selling your home!

With decades of real estate know-how, Mark says: “My team and I are very dedicated to a high level of service, with great reporting to our vendors, including extensive weekly vendor reports”.

sound advice and support at every stage.

ey want to engage with their clients, listen and work assiduously to get the results you deserve.

ey will listen as they believe in giving the right answers, building trust and enabling you to make better decisions.

“I am committed to selling your property and work diligently throughout the whole process to achieve a great sale for my clients.” A

ey strive to continue and strengthen the relationship between agent and client and it is evident in all that they do.

in Matua, Mark sells throughout all Tauranga suburbs, and lifestyle properties on Tauranga’s outskirts with Tremains. He’s heavily involved the community too. “We support Tauranga City Basketball and Ōtūmoetai/Bethlehem 1st XV Barabarian Rugby, both as key sponsors and through our ‘TeamUp with Tremains’ programme, along with Bellevue Primary and Tauranga Historical Society who are also our TeamUp with Tremains partners.” Get Mark onside today!

Shannen Kitney, Lee Stringer and Beth Dawson from e Northern Group.

Mark Francis supports basketball teams in his corner of the community. Photo: Jahl Marshall.

Get the beach lifestyle with Will

Let Will Holliday take the wheel when it comes to selling your home and be guaranteed your property will be given 110 per cent!

Will has been a part of the Tremains Real Estate team for two years and is absolutely loving it. “I’m all about getting the best results and best outcomes for people,” says Will.

With an extensive career in sales within the surf arena and an Arataki local, Will is your go-to guy if you are looking to enjoy coastal living from Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa and beyond. “I de nitely love the beach lifestyle and coastal properties are my passion. I’m in my element.”

“If you’re listing with me, you’re going to get 110 per cent of Will.” Get in touch with Will today!

Georgia Minkhorst

For real estate agent Derek Roser, care and attention to detail is second nature after a career in medical pathology.

“Later, my commercial career developed excellent negotiation skills which provide me with the best tools to deliver the best outcome achievable for my clients.

“Never promise and not follow through if you expect to develop the trust and respect of a client.”

Purchasing a property or selling a family home can be an emotional rollercoaster and Derek says he enjoys providing his expertise, advice and knowledge, gained over seven years, to make the journey and outcome a great life experience.

“Understanding the individual needs of my clients and providing the best communication and service delivery possible, is what I want to be known for.”

Catherine was highly recommended by friends. We can honestly say without hesitation, that she is the most professional person we have ever dealt with. Not only is she friendly and relaxed she does what she says she is going to do. Her knowledge of the market was spot on and we sold our property for the amount she said we would get for it.

Derek

Will

Kawhe-whawhe,

E-bike Skills Course, Cliff Road car park Toddler Time, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Digi Kids Music, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

APRIL 2024

Commuter bike ride: Lakes to city centre E-bike Skills Course, Cliff Road car

Whenua, Baycourt

FOPF Five Go Wild With Food, St Amand

Pocket-sized Play: Green Thumbs, Red Square

Little Big Markets, Tauranga Waterfront

FOPF Practical Gastronomy, Excelso Café FOPF Dabbler’s Degustation, Oscar & Otto

FOPF Five Go Wild With Food, St Amand

Toddler Time, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Digi Kids Music, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

FOPF Miss Gee’s Cocktail Masterclass, Miss Gees

Fun with Fabric, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Secret Pocket Books, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

First Home Buyers, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

All in for Arts: He waka toi e eke noa nei tātou, Baycourt

FOPF Cocktail Gastronomy, Miss Gees

Toddler Time, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Digi Kids Music, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Testimony - Shostakovich & Tchaikovsky, Baycourt

Pocket-sized Play: Cupcake Decorating, Red Square

Parenting 6-12 months,

FOPF Long Lunch, Clarence

FOPF Five Go Wild With Food, St Amand

Pocket-sized Play: Noho & Toi Painting, Red Square

Anzac Day Tauranga Civic Memorial Service, Memorial Park

There’s more going on than you might think in our city centre

Head

Pocket-sized Play: Balloon Twisting, Red Square

FOPF Bubbles & Canapés, Trinity Wharf

Morton Trio & Friends, Baycourt

Live Jazz on Wharf, Wharf Street

Tauranga Book Chat, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Menopause 101, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library Opus Orchestra Storytime, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Kawhe-whawhe, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Kawhe-whawhe, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library Mysteries of Mushrooms, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

FOPF Asian Fusion Cocktail Collision, Macau

Madagascar the Musical, Baycourt

Wacky Waffles workshop, But First Dessert

Easter cookie decorating, But First Dessert

Madagascar the Musical, Baycourt

Madagascar the Musical, Baycourt SIX60 Sessions, Baycourt (Sold out)

The Ultimate Prince Experience, Baycourt Divas, Baycourt (Sold out)

Featured artist talk, Tauranga Art Gallery POP UP

Creative Connections Lunch, Trinity Wharf

Downtown Tauranga Easter Activation, Red Square

FOPF Miss Gee’s Cocktail Masterclass, Miss Gees

FOPF Mead and a Feed, St Amand

FOPF Mead and a Feed, St Amand

FOPF Mead and a Feed, St Amand

FOPF Sweets & Spirits Soirée, But First Dessert

Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Squiggly Wiggly Squid, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Fiero Coding Club, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Fiero Coding Club, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Explore Steam, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Beary Fun, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Fiero Coding Club, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

Fiero Coding Club, Te Ao MāramaTauranga Library

“We are happy here.” at’s what residents of Woodlands Boutique Village tell the facility manager Anne Murphy.

Located in Bethlehem, the village of 17 architecturallydesigned, environmentallyfriendly and energy-e cient homes are nestled amongst established park-like grounds while being a stroll away from shops, restaurants, cafés, supermarket, doctor or chemist. Anne says the ‘boutique’ village

is intimate, cosy and friendly –that’s why residents say they love living there.

“I think the residents love the village because of its grounds and trees, and the fact it is bespoke means it’s small in comparison to other villages – so it becomes a lot more personal to them and their neighbours.

“All of the residents get on really well and share ideas, they love being involved with what’s happening around the place.

“ ey are like a big family.”

Woodlands has a clubhouse

A place you’ll love living

Toolkit to scam-proof our seniors

Arming older Kiwis with the skills and know-how to keep themselves safe online is the focus of a new nationwide initiative by Netsafe.

e Get Set Up for Safety programme includes a toolkit of free guides, videos and resources with advice on a range of useful cybersecurity topics.

According to research conducted by Netsafe in 2023 as part of the Annual Population Survey 47 per cent – of those aged above 70 expressed interest in learning more about online safety

and how to protect themselves against scams. A similar number – at 49 per cent – said they require assistance at least occasionally when using digital devices. “ e ability to identify scams and protection from nancial fraud are key issues for seniors – however we also know older adults want more support and information so they can fully enjoy the bene ts of the digital world,” says Netsafe chief online safety o cer Sean Lyons. Find out more at: netsafe.org. nz/advice/get-set-up-for-safety

with a gym, library, lounge area and fully-equipped kitchen that can be used by residents and their families for celebrations. ey currently have a brand new two bedroom villa available. “ is is a beautiful property, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a good size garage – plus a nicely-appointed kitchen and a wonderful outdoor area.”

You are warmly invited to visit and see for yourself this wonderful village that you too could soon call home. Don’t delay, make an appointment today.

A 90-year-old’s sky-high birthday!

ree generations of Betty Hinds’ family turned out at Tauranga Airport for her remarkable dive into the start of her nonagenarian decade.

Betty’s uplifting story about falling, or rather leaping from an airplane, began as a sudden thought, not a lifelong dream as one may expect.

“It was my 90th birthday and I decided to do it. I thought: ‘I’ve got to do something special for it’, and a couple of months before my birthday I had a sudden thought,” says Betty. “I wanted to jump as a gift for myself.”

She organised her adventure with Skydive Tauranga. “When I rang up about it he asked: ‘How high would you like to go?’ and I said: ‘I didn’t know I had a choice, I’m turning 90’.

“He said: ‘Well, we will do the highest one then’. “I would have done the highest one anyway. You might as well.”

Hometown from above

As such Betty jumped from 15,000 feet and got to see a breath-taking mix of golden sand beaches, waterways, city, mountains and volcanoes. On a clear day it’s possible to see the Coromandel, White Island, Rotorua, Mount Ruapehu and even Mount Taranaki, and of course, her hometown of Mount Maunganui. Having lived in Bayswater Village at Mount Maunganui for the past seven-anda-half years, Betty says she’s an “old Mountie”.

“Before Bayswater, I lived in Tay St for 48 years. My husband Robert was a tug master – they called him Bob.” She says Bob, who loved his job, died about 17 years ago.

During those Tay St years, Betty did odd jobs, worked in local shops and at the Mount Maunganui camping ground. She loves the area, so why not see it from the air and dive down onto it?

e plane can take two tandems at a time and Betty was delighted to nd at the last minute she was being joined in the air by her grandson Sam Hind, who she says ew in from the Mediterranean. “Sam had been away for ve years. I didn’t know he was coming home for my birthday. It was quite a surprise and he decided at the last minute he’d jump with me.

“Four of us went up in the plane and my grandson and his tandem came down rst.”

Just do it!

Betty’s February descent, which is the most notable ‘drop’ in her bucket list to date, was viewed from below by her daughter Dee and granddaughter Nicky who live in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. ey made a point of ying to New Zealand for the event and her birthday. Betty’s son Kevin and family from Auckland were also in town for the celebration.

Asked what’s next on the bucket list, Betty doesn’t think she’d bungy jump. But she does have a word of encouragement for anyone contemplating doing something new or challenging in their life. “Just do it!”

Betty Hind, 90, skydived with her grandson Sam Hind. Photo: Supplied.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

news and views for the over 55s

Learning the art of ballet at 78

A year after her eldest child passed away, Carolyn Dickey is keeping her daughter’s memory alive through the beautiful dance of ballet.

e 78-year-old has danced her entire life, starting out on a small farm where she grew up in Waiuku. “I have always loved to dance,” says Carolyn.

“To learn classical ballet as a child was unfortunately not possible, as there was no ballet teacher where I lived.”

Dairy dancing

Yet this didn’t stop her from getting her groove on at the family dairy farm. “Helping with the milking on the farm we would have a radio on in the cowshed so would often dance in between changing the cups; better still when Rock‘n’Roll came in there were great poles to rock around,” says Carolyn.

It also helped having a pianist and ballroom dancing mum.

“Often the local lads would come to our home and mum would play the piano and we would help them with the di erent ballroom dances.”

Becoming a mother herself,

Carolyn says she was a “ballet mother” to her daughters, Janine and Bronwyn. “I would sit at their lessons and make notes then help them with their practices in preparation for exams and shows.” Her eldest daughter Janine went on to become a jazz ballet teacher. Sadly, she passed away early last year at age 54.

Janine

Now Carolyn has started taking ballet lessons for those 50-plus –and says it’s been a lovely thing to do in memory of Janine.

“My ballet classes are bringing up special memories of my life with dance and my daughters’ ballet days, as it is exactly a year since we lost our elder daughter who so loved ballet and to dance. Janine was fairly tall and always carried herself tall.

“So I think ballet’s just such a lovely discipline and such a lovely thing to do.”

Ballet isn’t something Carolyn saw herself doing either. “I didn’t know I would have the opportunity to learn ballet in my 78th year – especially as I have two arti cial knees!” Yet she doesn’t think her knees will be her biggest challenge when

it comes to her ballet lessons. “I think it will probably be being able to remember the steps… it’s a good bit of coordination.”

Carolyn says Michelle Heyder – her teacher of Over 50s Ballet Tauranga – assures her the class is for all women who love ballet, wish to dance, and have fun. “And we don’t have to be perfect!”

To nd out more about Over 50s Ballet classes, visit: ageconcerntauranga.org.nz/age-connect

Georgia Minkhorst

2024 SOUTH ISLAND

Due to popular

Carolyn Dickey practising her ballet positions in her home garden in Ōmokoroa. Photo: Brydie ompson.

Warmth and style combined: experience the benefits of Thermacell Blinds

As the temperature drops and winter draws near, it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep your home warm and comfortable.

One often overlooked but highly effective method is by investing in Thermacell Blinds.

These innovative window coverings not only add a touch of style to your interiors but are also designed with insulation in mind, helping to keep the heat in and the cold out during the chilly winter months.

Bay Blinds offers Thermacell Blinds in a large range of modern colours.

“Add Thermacell Blinds to your windows now, and you can create a cosy sanctuary from the winter weather outside while also saving money on your

Thermacell

heating bills,” says Gail Christie.

“Talk to us about using these in your children’s bedrooms to give you peace of mind that with the inbuilt child safety features, superior light block and insulation you will be creating a warm, dark environment that will have your little ones sleeping all night,” says Gail.

“Don’t let the cold catch you off guard – upgrade to Thermacell Blinds from Bay Blinds today and stay warm all winter long.”

Contact the office to book your free in home measure and quote on: 0800 229 254.

Work begins to restore interest deductions

April marks the start of the Government’s efforts to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties.

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says the Government will begin phasing back on the ability to deduct interest expenses from April 1, 2024, when all affected taxpayers will be able to claim 80 per cent of their interest expenses; and 100 per cent from April 1, 2025, onwards.

“Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax

code,” says the Minister.

“Landlords have been hit with a double whammy of rising mortgage interest rates and increasing interest deductibility limitations during a cost-of-living crisis.

“These costs are inevitably passed on to tenants, one of the reasons New Zealand has all time high rental costs.”

The Minister says to overcome New Zealand’s many challenges there needs to be an environment where investment and development is encouraged.

“This change is a step in the right direction.”

Get your pergola in before the rush!

Amplify your outdoor living experience this winter with an outstanding quality pergola!

Undercover Industries is offering a range of Tauranga Show Homeshow show specials on aluminium pergolas and zip trak blinds.

Structurally engineered, these pergolas set themselves apart.

“We manufacture solutions for you to maximise your outdoor living spaces, with specialised engineered design to withstand the ever-changing New Zealand weather,” says Undercover Industries owner Shay Hulsebosch.

Shay says at Undercover Industries, they are friendly, accessible and even have a showroom to make sure clients know what they’re getting. “We’re a Mount Maunganui-based, familyowned local business, and we make everything here in the Mount.”

The Undercover Industries team will be at the Tauranga Show Homeshow on May 3-5 at Trustpower Arena, Baypark, and can talk you through pergola, awning and specialist cover options to best suit your space. “We get really busy over summer…now is a great time to get a pergola installed!”

New push for data to speed up building consents

The Government is taking steps to reduce delays and speed up the building consent system by requiring councils to submit data for building consent and code compliance certificates every quarter, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk.

“Applications for building consents and code compliance certificates must be completed within 20 working days – however feedback from the sector is that they often take a lot longer, causing frustrating and costly delays for builders.

“Delays in the building consent system

increase the cost of building and make it harder for the sector to deliver more affordable homes for Kiwi families.

“Unbelievably, there is currently no consistent nationwide data on building consent timeframes and while MBIE has the power to collect it regularly the previous government never bothered to ask for it.

“This will change and starting in April, Building Consent Authorities will be required to submit timeframes for building consent and code compliance certificate applications with this data

being published on MBIE’s website every quarter.

“This added scrutiny will provide greater certainty for the sector, encourage best practice and drive innovation that will help reduce delays and let Kiwi builders get on with the job.

“Collecting this data is also an important early step that will help inform future changes in the Government’s ambitious plan to streamline the building consent system and make it easier to build.”

Shay Hulsebosch and Bronwen Parry on the job. Photo: John Borren.

After the jazz – a world of film

Easter. After all the build-up, it’s arrived.

And I’ve said all that I’m going to say about it.

Check out last week’s column on SunLive.

Or just head straight to: jazz.org.nz for the full programme. But I do have the answer to the one festival question I’ve been asked most often.

It is: Yes, James Morrison really is that good, you should de nitely go see him.

Across

1. Farm animal (4)

7. Previous governor general (9

8. Lazy (4)

9. Fish (4)

10. Band (4)

11. Bird (4)

14. The lot (10)

16. Cape (NI) (10)

19. Throw (4)

22. Branch (4)

24. Enchanted (4)

25. Doubtful (4)

26. Mountain (NI) (9)

27. Accurate (4)

Down

1. Youngster (5)

2. Flower (5)

3. Nook (6)

4. Strangeness (6)

No. 1878

5. Inquires (4)

6. Toxic

So, enough about the Jazz Fest – y’all have fun now y’hear. I have other things to deal with which, unfortunately, this week means coping with a de antly incontinent cat.

Yes, sadly I have to report that it’s been a particularly smelly time at the Watusi Country Club.

e three guard cats grow older and frailer and, if possible, even more randomly irrational. e eldest has obviously decided that her advanced stage of life means the normal decorum of popping outside for a pee no longer applies. It is her home, to do with as and where she pleases.

Consequently, every room and every corridor are now lined with big square blue and white puppy pee pads. It looks like some strange asylum.

My life consists of replacing them. Visitors look vaguely alarmed and sympathetic and try and pretend they can’t detect that faint odour lingering over everything.

Bloody cats.

I can only assume there is a better way: I know a lot of you are cat lovers – suggestions will be gratefully received at: watusi@thesun.co.nz

Until October

James Morrison.

Okay. Enough of that. Let’s take a trip to the movies.

Many will have heard the bad news that the New Zealand International Film Festival has, in response to a couple of dire economic years, tightened its belt and consequently will not be coming to Tauranga in 2024. So the role of the Tauranga Film Society in making it possible to see more obscure but fêted lms on the big screen is even more valuable.

eir season started at the beginning of the month and runs through until October. ey screen lms early evening every second Wednesday at the Luxe Cinema in Tauranga –previously Rialto – and occasionally at the Luxe in Papamoa. Membership is $120 a year and you can jump on any time. ere are also trial memberships.

We’re a couple of lms into this season’s very varied programme. Last week it was Paul Schrader’s extraordinary ‘Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters’, about the famous Japanese writer who committed public suicide after staging a failed military coup.

Films from all over

I asked Michael O’Brien, of the society, for suggestions: “We have lms from USA, Japan, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Tunisia, USSR, South Korea, France, Germany and New Zealand. Also two lms from the great British lmmaker Carol Reed.

“I am particularly looking forward to ‘First Cow’ a highlyregarded historical drama, ‘Joyland’ a contemporary Pakistani lm addressing transgender issues and ‘Hit the Road’ a fantastic Iranian lm, which I rst saw in the International Film Festival a few years ago”. Find more on the Tauranga page of: nz lmsociety.org.nz

Celebrating 40 years of love and care for little ones

Shalom Kindergarten is celebrating 40 years of caring for children in the Ōtūmoetai community this Easter Monday.

Started by friends Sharon Van Ameringen and Hilary Banks in 1984, Sharon says it feels “overwhelming” to have reached the kindy’s 40th birthday milestone.

“In early childhood [education] it’s di cult sometimes to get teachers, but we’ve always had enough teachers and

always had enough children. It’s amazing. “I see it as the blessing of God and lots of hard work,” says Sharon.

“We’ve had children from all over Tauranga – and we want to thank them for working with us and allowing us to be part of their community and part of their lives. It’s a real privilege to serve your community in this way.”

Sharon invites anyone who has been a part of the kindergarten whānau to come

play, enjoy a barbecue dinner, ice cream, cake and face painting on April 1. “Some of our past students are parents now, so they’re bringing their children to us and one of my past students is one of my teachers now!”

Shalom Kindergarten’s 40th celebration will be held at 252 Ōtūmoetai Rd, Tauranga, from 3.30pm-6.30pm on Monday, April 1.

RSVP to Sharon on: 021 191 9933.

JACK DUSTY’S (Bureta)

Sat 30th One One One 7.30 – 10.30pm

Sun 31st CLOSED Mon 1st Ukulele Players 6 – 7.30pm Wed 3rd Open Mic 7pm –10.30pm

MOUNT HOT POOLS

Sun 31st Juanne Melbourne 7 – 8.30pm

MOUNT SOCIAL CLUB

Thrs 28th Social Karaoke–Every Thursday 9pm

MOUNT MAUNGANUI

RSA Sun 31st Country Music 1.00 – 3.30pm

THE MATUA BAR

Every Wednesday 6:30 – 9:30pm Midweek Marmalade open mic night

THE PHOENIX TAURANGA

Sat 30th JAZZ FEST : Samme & Kane 12.30–1.45pm / Trevor & Jill 2.15–3.30pm / Boujour Madame 3.45–4.30pm / Neon Quaver 4.45–6pm

Sun 31st JAZZ FEST : Matt Bizzle 12–1.15pm / Ed Taylor Collective (ETC) Duo 2–3.45pm / The Vanessa Kelly Trio 4.15–6pm

VOODOO LOUNGE

Wed 3rd Voodoo Jam Night 9pm

Hop into the Historic Village for Easter

Hidden in the depths of a village shop, near the chapel’s church bell, or among the old cobble stones – the Easter bunny will be dotting 1000 chocolate eggs in The Historic Village this Easter Sunday!

The Whipped Baker’s owner Frances Cooper is bringing some Easter fun and goodies for families and kids to enjoy via Easter egg hunt down at the village this weekend. “As a mum of five kids I know coming up to Easter time you want to treat your kids and make sure that it’s a real special and

magical time,” says Frances. “With the cost of everything, it’s got out of hand and I just thought it would be a really nice idea to have a little Easter egg hunt down at the village and just do a gold coin entry so that kids or families that don’t have a lot of money and do want to treat their kids, it might be a bit more affordable.”

Some of The Historic Village’s shop keepers have come on-board and will have colourful eggs tucked away in their stores, ready to be discovered by eager Easter egg hunters.

Among the 1000 chocolate eggs, there will be

Let orchids get under your skin

Ordain yourself with the “wonderful disease” of growing orchids at the Annual Orchid Show next week!

Hosted by the Bay of Plenty Orchid Society, the show will boast an abundance of unique plants that you won’t always have the opportunity to see.

BOPOS treasurer Kevin Davey is expecting there will be orchids in their thousands. “Last year was brilliant!

“We had a really good turnout.”

The show will see growers coming from across the North Island – from Auckland to Napier, ready to show off their orchids and share how you can get growing. “The growers are always forthcoming with tips and general things of how to look after them and what to plant them in.

“I’m learning that all the time,” says Kevin, who has been a part of the BOP orchid society for more than 10 years. And he cautions that you will be completely captured by these wonderful plants. “It’s basically a disease – because you once you start, you can’t really stop. “It’s an ongoing thing increasing your own collection and helping others to increase theirs.”

There will be a bunch of orchids for sale, as well as Hoyas and pots.

Bring along any of your sick plants too – there will be a plant

Held at the Te Puke War Memorial Hall, the Annual Orchid Show will run from 10am-4pm on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6. Entry $3 per adult, children gain free entry. Refreshments available.

Georgia Minkhorst

eight special golden ones that have a unique Whipped Baker surprise within. “I love holidays and I love kids getting excited about it. I think every child needs or deserves to get excited about things like that – whether you are in a position to lavish your kids in chocolate or not.”

“I just wanted the parents to come in and feel relaxed, and let the kids go off on a little bit of a hunt.

“They can sit down and chill or they can go with the kids and make it even more exciting.”

The Easter egg hunt will be feeding a good cause too – the gold coin entry fee will be used to buy Easter

eggs to distribute at Tauranga Hospital children’s ward. “Anything that I do receive I’m going to be putting back into Easter eggs, and my daughter and I are going to go up with the bunny suit on to the Tauranga Hospital children’s ward and give out eggs,” says Frances.

“It’s just about community, it’s about fun and it’s about cherishing your children.” Hop along to the Whipped Baker in The Historic Village by 9am Easter Sunday, March 31, to take part. There will be a ‘bunny station’ outside. Entry is a gold coin donation for children 12 years old and under.

Georgia Minkhorst

The Whipped Baker’s owner Frances Cooper has been busy rounding up Easter eggs to bring some affordable fun to the community this Easter Sunday. Photo: John Borren.

BETH - EL la tyb

BETH - EL la tyb

It’s Easter time, and we all know that this is the time of the year when we enjoy those delicious chocolate Easter eggs.

is hollow, and we crack the chocolate and crunch on the casing.

But have you ever wondered about the signi cance of these delicious Easter treats?

Easter eggs are an ancient Christian tradition.

On Good Friday we remember that Jesus

SABBATH 10AM

ALL WELCOME SHALOM

ALL WELCOME SHALOM

SABBATH 10AM OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

OTUMOETAI PRIMARY

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

info@bethel.org.nz

info@bethel.org.nz

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz 021 768 043

Messianic Family bethel.org.nz 021 768 043

ere’s much fun in peeling back the foil to discover what lies within the egg. It might be marshmallow, or chocolate buttons, or chocolates – and sometimes the egg

died on the cross, and then on Easter Sunday we celebrate His resurrection from the dead.

On Easter Sunday Jesus emerges alive from the tomb and so Easter eggs then, are a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus because the egg symbolises new life emerging from the eggshell.

So, this yummy treat that we enjoy at Easter is a symbol of the most important, life-changing event in human history – Jesus’ resurrection.

e Bible tells us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3)”. is year as you munch on your chocolate delights may you re ect on the meaning of your Easter eggs. It’s Easter time, it’s egg time, it’s time to remember Jesus.

Blessings upon you all.

Sandra Warner, St Columba Presbyterian Church

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 lost & found

FOUND KITTENS & PUPPIES various places, colours and sex. Ph SPCA 07 578 0245

FOUND CAT, Black, Male, Approximately 3 years old, Boscabel Drive Tauranga South. Ref 604902

FOUND CAT, Torbi, Male, Approximately 14 years old, Cameron Road Te Puke. Ref 605024

FOUND KITTEN, Ginger, Male, Approximately 5 months old, Kairua Road Papamoa. Ref 605344

FOUND KITTEN, Grey & White, Male, Approximately 5 months old, Kairua Road Papamoa. Ref 605345

FOUND CAT, Tabby & White, Female, Approximately 3 years old, Ninth Ave, Tauranga. Ref 605367

FOUND CAT, Grey Tabby, Female, Approximately 1 year old, Main Street Te Puke. Ref 603416

FOUND CAT, Grey Tabby, Female, Approximately 2 years old, Kairua Road Tauranga RD5 Tauranga. Ref 605428

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

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

BAYPARK TO BAYFAIR LINK CLOSURE OF SH29A

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises that SH29A will be closed:

1. westbound between the SH29A Baypark roundabout and the Maungatapu roundabout on Tuesday 2 April and Wednesday 3 April 2024 (approximately 7pm to 5am each night)

2. in both directions between the SH29A Baypark roundabout and the Maungatapu roundabout on Thursday 4 April 2024 (approximately 7pm to 5am)

During these hours, a signposted detour via SH2, Elizabeth Street, Cameron Road, Fifteenth Avenue, Turret Road/Hairini bridge and Welcome Bay Link Road will apply for light vehicles. A signposted detour via SH2, SH29 Takitimu Drive and SH29A will apply for heavy vehicles.

In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the closure may be moved to the next suitable nights.

NZTA thanks road users and local residents for their patience.

Find out more at nzta.govt.nz/SH29Aclosure

When lawns bemuse...

e city’s lawn mowing programme continues to amuse, but mostly bemuse.

ere’s a large triangular grass tra c island bounded by Vale and Chapel streets, and a grove of trees and large grass area running adjacent.

An army of contractors and mowers, and the ubiquitous “men at work” safety truck move in and mow the island but leave the rest.

It looks like, and is, a job half done. en perhaps two or three weeks later the contractors mow beneath the trees and leave the island. e place never looks, and never is, tidy and nished. And if we’re paying them to do the job, perhaps they could do it properly?

e mowing is once over lightly, patchy, ugly and the edges are never done. ere’s no pride.

Remember guys, we have to look at it every day.

Perhaps we could call in the secretive farmer who turned the ugly unmown Te Puna tra c island into hay bales? Or why don’t we fence the island and bring in a few sheep?

I Goldsmith, Bureta.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon and his team are trying hard to cut wasteful spending among the bureaucracy down in Wellington – so the taxpayers of this country get a better deal.

I suggest the PM and his team could also make a huge saving to taxpayer and ratepayers alike by merging all the regional councils to their closest city or district council.

ere is no need for a double-up in rules, regulation and costs to ratepayers between two di erent types of councils.

So much of what district

Am I missing something?

Or is Vladimir Putin missing something?

The great untruths

e world was sickened to the core by the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack on Moscow’s Crocus concert Hall with the loss of 137 lives… at last count.

And it reacted with understandable compassion for the victims.

en Putin said: “We will identify and punish everyone who stands… behind this strike against Russia, against our people.”

He mentioned the loss of “innocent lives” in there somewhere too. I can understand his outrage. But I cannot understand or forgive his duplicity, his two-facedness.

Regardless of what label you attach Mr Putin, your “special operation”, your war on Ukraine, is an unprovoked strike against a sovereign nation with all of the outcomes of a terrorist attack – the needless maiming and killing of innocent people and wanton destruction.

Except, in your case Mr Putin, it’s on a much greater scale.

How can you stand in judgement on someone else for their sins, but blindly dismiss your own?

Rugby should talk to league – they seem to know what a watchable, exciting and understandable product is.

So the real Nazi probably lives not far from Red Square.

Patients, don’t be fobbed off!

Re: ‘News article ‘Melanoma makes life black and white for Karl’ (page 18, e Weekend Sun Friday, March 15, 2024 edition).

Reading the article regarding Karl Trethaway’s experience with melanoma, made my blood boil. e rst doctor he consulted said his mole was a “weird one” and to monitor it.

Why was a biopsy not taken at this point? Now the “weird one” has spread to his lungs. Disgraceful!

I had a similar experience 25 years ago. I saw an unusual lesion on my forearm. My GP told me to keep an eye on it. I went back a few days later and insisted that the lesion be removed and sent to the Laboratory. Result, Malignant Melanoma. I was furious with my GP, but so relieved that I am here to tell this tale, 25 years later. Patients, don’t be fobbed o , demand a biopsy, politely, and potentially, save your life.

Shelagh Gastrell, Katikati.

A suggestion to our Prime Minister

and regional councils do is overlapping – it makes sense to merge them. And it would save a tonne of money.

Heck – I wouldn’t care if the excess doesn’t return to my back pocket. It could be spent on much-needed things like funding the volunteer ambulance service or the Coastguards and surf-lifesaving groups – which are strapped for cash following the pandemic but have more work on their shoulders than ever before. Let’s cut the bureaucracies in this country and send money where it will be spent more e ectively and actually make a defence to ordinary Kiwis.

T Atkins, Bethlehem.

Bubbly Fizz!

Vlad also tried to pin the Crocus attack on the ‘Nazis’ in Kiev.

While on my hobby horses – I read this week of a call for haka and anthems to be banned from rugby matches.

Really? Rugby would be better served by banning rolling mauls, tedious scrum setting and lineouts where’s there’s no real competition for the ball any more.

When I went to school a Nazi was authoritarian, racist, brutal and extremely nationalistic. I think you tick all those boxes Vlad.

W Small, Ōmokoroa.

Fizz is a gentle, mixed-breed female pup aged about four months old. Fizz is very loving with doleful eyes that suck you in! She can be a little shy with new situations but once she’s had some reassurance, her zzy, fun, puppy side shines! Fizz is a real snuggler; she loves a cuddle. Social, sweet and placid, this pup will steal your heart in an instant! She’s looking for a home where she can be a part of the family with a cosy bed by the re, a garden for puppy zoomies and a whole lot of love! Come and meet Fizz today! Phone the SPCA on: 07 578 0245. Ref: 601878.