9
Dive into Indonesia
Meet Syully Dobson, holding her homeland’s flag – with a simple design of red and white stripes.
Yet Indonesia is anything but plain, according to the Bay of Plenty Indonesia Community chair woman.
The Tauranga resident says Indonesia
consists of more than 17,000 islands and is the fourth-most-populous place in the world.
“So there’s a lot people don’t know about Indonesia – and our mission [at BOPIC] is to promote other parts of Indonesia,” says Syully, who is from Manado, North Sulawesi in Indonesia. “There’s more than just Bali ”
Syully invites fellow BOP residents to experience her homeland’s beautiful, colourful, rich culture through the activities of batik workshops and an angklung showcase in Tauranga this month.
On August 31, at the Historic Village, people can enjoy making their ver y own
batik cloth, and participate in a showcase of traditional music using an instrument made from bamboo called an angklung.
The Bay of Plenty’s Indonesian community consists of about 50-60 families – and if you’d like to immerse yourself in their culture, read more on page 9. Photo: John Borren.
Tauranga Kia
Why we love to loathe road cones?
One road cone, two road cones, three road cones, four
“Hey, Pointy Head! What you doin’?”
“Being a good shepherd, a guardian of the people ”
“You’re a road cone Getting in the way, causing disruption, creating bad feeling, stressing us out. And costing us. And there are far too many of you!”
“Excuse me, I am doing God’s work – creating a safe passage past these roadworks; ushering motorists safely to and from their places of employ, schools, supermarkets etcetera, etcetera Bless us
procreating overnight They were shoulderto-shoulder around the intersection, like bugs on a rug, just sitting there, all pointy and arrogant and looking costly It was about 5 45am apparently – and the only people up and about was our frustrated commuter, a couple of cat burglars and a homeless person having a bottled breakfast on the reserve nearby They say they checked to ensure there was no traffic about and then made a dash through the road cones down the wrong side of the road – a modern day ‘forlorn hope’, because things could have gone horribly wrong and kind of did.
do that three or four or five times a day Every time they turned out of their drive the big brash red sign kept telling them ‘ROAD CLOSED’, and he interpreted that to mean: “Naff off Take the long way Road cones rule” It’s about time, petrol, nuisance value It all adds up 380 road cones, 390 road cones, 400 road cones, no more
Also I’m keeping our road workers safe Bless them And bless us road cones again for turning some good coin for the contractors Now excuse me. My calling calls.”
A nonsense?
Nothing worse than a jumped up, holierthan-thou, dollar-driven road cone overstating its importance To make it worse, there’s another million or so of him – or her – or whatever pronouns a road cone chooses, cluttering the country ’ s roads “Wayne Brown reckons you road cones are a nonsense, out of hand and beyond necessity He wants you legislated to undo the financial damage you cause. ”
Overkill?
At a new pedestrian crossing in Taurang were 400 road cones Plus 80 barriers How do I know? Well, I counted them – roughly, because it’s a bit like counting spilled 100s and 1000s
Seventy road cones, eighty road cones, ninety road cones more
That sanctimonious road cone apparently prompted a wee hissy the other morning Tipped a local right over the top A case of excessive cone syndrome he told me He let road cones affect his better judgment
There were roadworks at the bottom of his street and a big, brash, red sign indicating the lane leading onto an arterial road into the CBD was ‘CLOSED’ The same big, brash, red sign was reinforced by legions of road cones that weren ’ t there yesterday but seemed to have been
Our commuter says a road worker appeared out of the gloom, shouted his indignation and objection and whacked his wing mirror as he whizzed past It could have turned out worse, but thankfully didn’t He feels bad now and unreservedly apologises to that roadworker It’s easy in hindsight but our malcontent motorist says had they read of such behaviour in the court news they would have said “dumb ass ” Well, our ‘dumb ass ’ is not advocating anarchy, and they tell their story as a warning to others about impatience and irrational reaction around roadworks and road cones.
180 road cones, 190 road cones, 200 road cones That’s ten score
The motorist did have an option – a detour which added about five minutes and few kilometres to the trip Not much of an inconvenience you might say; but
“So 400 – that’s cone overkill isn’t it?” observed one very observant observer “A bit excessive Surely more than is required ” And the fact those 400 road cones didn’t make her feel safe driving through the roadworks is backed up by research A national transportation study found 70 per cent of us felt driving around was more unsafe due to the increased number of road cones A clinical psychologist extrapolated that finding by suggesting road cones are “symbols of what has gone wrong, of anger, helplessness and fear”
A shame...
And they cause us to be impatient and do silly things because where road cones merge the traffic into one lane at one roadworks site I noticed little piles of busted car bits And this from a more aesthetically-minded colleague: “Road cones seem very popular, it’s a shame they only come in one two-tone colour option ” Thoughts? Email: hunter wells@nzme co nz
O’Brien musical to suppor t Starship
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ creator Richard O’Brien is using his talents to bring a 17-stop tour of his new musical to Kiwi audiences for the benefit of the Starship Children’s Hospital
‘The Kingdom of Bling’ – created by the 82-yearold Katikati resident – is inspired by the madness of American politics and the ripple effect it has on the rest of the world. ‘The Kingdom of Bling’ is set in “ a time of confusion, when so many madly, strange beliefs collide. A time when kindness had been demonised, while crafty blindness wined and dined in a world it had divided”.
Promising a ver y special night of wacky, off-thewall satirical commentar y, Richard has announced 100 per cent of royalties of ‘The Kingdom Of Bling’ will go to Starship Children’s Hospital in perpetuity
‘The Celebration of Kindness Tour’ will stop at 17 NZ locations from October 12-November 2. The musical comes to Tauranga’s Baycourt Theatre on October 31.
Finds tickets at Ticketek, Ticketmaster, Eventfinda and local ticketing agents.
TCC appeals high cour t decision
Tauranga City Council is awaiting a new trial date in its bid to recoup millions of dollars lost in a failed transport hub
The council has appealed a High Court decision that meant it would receive a fraction of the $20 million it lost on the abandoned Harington Street Transport hub
Council officials want to recoup the losses it says exceeded $20m from the companies involved in designing and reviewing the defective hub
The $29m transport hub was intended to be a nine-storey building with space for 550 cars and 250 bicycles in Tauranga’s CBD
The project had already cost the council $19m when construction was halted in September 2019 over seismic design issues
TCC abandoned the partially built hub in 2020 and eventually sold the site to the original construction company for $1 in 2021
TCC went to court claiming there were contract breaches by contractors Harrison Grierson Holdings, which designed the structure, and Constructure Auckland Ltd, which was engaged to review the structural design
Losses included more than $20 5m in “wasted costs ” and the loss of land value exceeding $5 3m, the council says
In the High Court case in May 2023, the defendants argued the liability limitation clauses in contracts capped how much they could be liable to pay
Justice Kiri Tahana released her decision in March 2024, stating the limitation of liability clauses in the contracts did apply
This set the maximum liability of Harrison Grierson at $2m in the aggregate and Constructure
Auckland’s liability to a maximum of $500,000
Tauranga City Council general manager of infrastructure Nic Johansson says the council appealed the High Court decision in May
The council appealed because it disagreed with the set liability limits, says Johansson
The hub was intended to help restore economic vibrancy to the city centre, he says
A hearing date is yet to be allocated by the Court of Appeal
The new owners of the site, Watts & Hughes, are building Panorama Towers, a 14-storey office and commercial development with 330 carparks
Construction of the $60m project began early-2023
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
The Harington Street transport hub pictured in 2019 after construction was halted. Photo: George Novak.
Alisha Evans Local Democracy Re
‘Little Ref ’ making a big splash
Some famous Ar thurs are King Ar thur, Sir Ar thur Conan Doyle, Ar thur Ashe, and Ar thur Lydiard Perhaps a little less famous at the moment is Tauranga’s Ar thur Rickard
Ar thur Rickard, ‘Little Ref ’ as he’s been dubbed, is making a big noise and a big impression with the Acme Thunderer, a r ugby referee’s whistle, on junior football fields around Tauranga this winter
“Kids are stoked when they get a
kid referee ” And they always have the same question
“How old are you?” He delights in telling them he is only 13 – and they chuckle and titter
A kid whistling kids And he’s just a fe w months inside the threshold to be an official r ugby referee
The Tauranga Boys’ College Year 9 student refereed the 2024 Tai Mitchell r ugby tournament held recently. He was the youngest referee there by a r unaway intercept tr y, by five years He controlled “loads of game ” and was thrilled
Just 13
in
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“I suppose it showed there was belief and tr ust, and I was capable ”
He’s right – he was noticed at the highest level
“Ar thur has the potential to become a wellknown figure in the game, ” says BOP Rugby Referees Club boss Jackson Reuben Swinton
‘ L i t t l e Re f ’
Seems he already has that recognition “At Tai Mitchell, people would come up to me and go: ‘Oh, Little Ref, Little Ref ’ , ” says Ar thur
He quite liked that “Now Little Ref ’ s my title “Ever yone thinks it’s cool ”
As the moniker suggests, Little Ref is not a big bloke – at 1 54m and 46kg It’s probably why his Greer ton coach moved Ar thur, the r ugby player when not a r ugby ref, from loosie to halfback “As a flanker, I enjoyed tackling, r ucks, stealing
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the ball But as a halfback I touch the ball a lot more ” And that ability to call and direct play from the base of the scr um is also applied to controlling 30 players as a ref
A whistle has its upsides “ You don’t get tackled or smashed.” And it has downsides because, as is the nature of contact spor t, players will “ tr y it on ” Ar thur’s already had a taste “ a couple of tough, close, impor tant games where I made a call and people didn’t agree ”
He has his own mechanism for dealing with dissent “I just tune out from people shouting at me It’s quite easy when you are out there
“Just tune out ”
It never gets too personal, but there might be an intimidating coach who confronts Little Ref after the game “They hold on with the handshake, ask what that last call was about ”
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and
control – rugby ref Arthur Rickard.
Photo: John Borren
A kid whistling kids
It can be a bit scar y. And so this 13-year-old needs to be asser tive, like his vice-like handshake, and have a good rappor t with players and captains on the field
Consulting ‘the bible’
And resilience, according to Dad Ben Rickard
“Because you get pushback, you have to develop mental toughness ” He was the catalyst for Ar thur becoming a ref “I didn’t want to coach so I became a ref ” Ar thur watched on, thought it was cool, got the bug and star ted blowing himself It has added an extra fun dynamic to this father-son r ugger relationship When the boys are out in the car, they’ll use their bible, The Rules of Rugby, to test each other’s knowledge of the game Perhaps 7c of the tackle law: What must a player do when tackled with the ball?
Wimpish whistling won’t work
“He gets plenty wrong, ” says the younger Rickard “He gets more right than I do,” admits elder Rickard. And it has affected their TV
vie wing. “ We used to watch the r ugby, now we watch the referee We see the game differently ”
Sometimes the humble tool of trade, the Acme Thunderer whistle, almost becomes an instr ument in the brass section Because refs practise blowing
“ We do The sound has to be right – firm and authoritative ”
Ben demonstrates a sad little broken trill That wouldn’t work Players need to know who’s in control, so wimpish whistling wouldn’t work
“ Young refs cut their teeth on rippa non-contact boys and girls r ugby, allowing them to build knowledge and confidence,” says Jackson
They also attend education for ums where they’re mentored by experienced referees “Several of our referees have gone on to represent at national and international level,” says Jackson
Then there’s a pitch for more refs Ex-players perhaps, but anyone 13-plus “Great fun, kids love it, it’s cool,” says Ar thur “And you make a bit of pocket money Lovely!” Are you interested?
Email: jackson@bopr ugby co nz
Tr y! A ref with youth and style.
Photo: John Borren.
‘Little Ref ’ with one of his great All Black heroes, Damien McKenzie.
Photo: supplied
75 years - and counting - of good vibrations!
Not many Kiwis can say they’ve done something continuously for 75 years. But Bethlehem’s Alex Garrett can.
The 84-year-old has just been recognised nationally – and locally – for playing brass instruments for 75 consecutive years. It’s quite an achievement, The Sun puts to him “Yes, so ever ybody keeps telling
me, ” says Alex nonchalantly It all began when his mother Alma Garrett wanted him to learn to play the bagpipes “There was no way I wanted to play the bagpipes, so I went to brass band instead,” he retorts “There was a boy down the street who was in the [local brass] band. He asked me if I’d like to learn.
“I said: ‘ Yes’. That’s how it all started. I was nine when I started on a cornet, ” says Alex, who says his
parents “had no musical ability whatsoever”.
Fulfilling
a dream
“I applied and got it.” Back then Tauranga City Brass Band was named Tauranga City Silver Band – it became the former after a two-band merger
Alex began “banding” with the Eltham Municipal Brass band in 1949 – nine years later he moved to Hawera and joined the Hawera Municipal Brass band and began exploring other instruments “I was there for another 28 years ”
A painter and wallpaperer by trade, Alex always wanted to be a band conductor That dream prompted a move to the Bay of Plenty in 1986.
“I had no show of getting a band conductor job in Hawera. I did conduct a junior band and was deputy conductor there, but I wanted one of my own. ” He saw a newspaper advertisement for a brass band conductor in Tauranga.
Alex conducted Tauranga City Silver Brass Band for 13 years to 1999 – and won the D grade national championship in his final year at the helm. And he’s kept playing with the band ever since. He was playing bass for a long time until recently switching back to the cornet.
“It’s a lot lighter to carr y ”
Comradeship
What does he love about music and brass bands?
“Oh, just the comradeship among ever ybody in the band. When you go away to contests you get to catch up with other instrumentalists too ”
Alex Garrett in his happy place –playing music
Photo: John Borren
His wife Ann has also been sucked into the world of brass bands. “ When you married one, you join them.” She joined Hawera Municipal Band, playing percussion. “The Kitchen Section we call it – all the pots and pans. ”
She carried on with percussion when they moved north. “ We had three children; our two boys played instruments – one the cornet, one the euphonium – but our daughter played the piano “She’d had enough of brass bands ” Ann says she’s never lied to her husband, but she’s had to tell few porkies in recent weeks. At last month’s New Zealand Brassband Contest in Auckland Alex got called on-stage for the NZ
ss Band Association to present an award for his 75 years ’ continued ser vice to brass bands. was at the end of the B grade Championships, which his Tauranga City Brass competed in “I didn’t know it was coming; I had a standing ovation, and the applause went for ages. It was amazing ”
Sixth Kiwi
On Saturday, July 27, Tauranga City Brass Band hosted a surprise function to celebrate Alex’s 75 years of musical ser vice. Brass band members from throughout the North Island attended – again at complete surprise to Alex. “I didn’t know about that one either My wife here has been telling me all sorts of lies,” he laughs.
“They’ve only been white ones, ” say Ann, who found it “ ver y hard” to keep the secrets.
“He’s only the sixth person in New Zealand to achieve this,” says a ver y proud Ann.
So what’s his favourite instrument?
“Oh, just the comradeship among everybody in the band. When you go away to contests you get to catch up with other instrumentalists too. ”
“That’s hard to say but one is the bass that I’ve played for many years, and I do like the cornet – so it’s between the two of them”.
His favourite tune? “I’ve played so many over the years I couldn’t tell ya.
“I just enjoy playing music, and that’s it.”
Aiming for 80!
Alex has taught children along the way, and has been asked to play at many gigs – he’s played ‘The Last post ’ on a cornet many times for Anzac Days, and at funerals. Ironically though, he doesn’t own
instruments – the band supplies him with a cornet. And he doesn’t get ner vous before gigs.
So any highlight performances?
“A concert with Malvina Major at Baycourt to raise money for the band – that was a highlight. Also, winning the national B Grade with Hawera.”
Alex, who turns 85 in November, still religiously attends ever y Tauranga City Brass Band practice.
“I’m there ever y night – I never miss.” And he has no plans of giving up music.
“No, I’m aiming for 80 years now!”
Brass Association to him ser
Alex Garrett, aged 14, playing the cornet. Photo: supplied.
Alex Garrett has played brass instruments in NZ for 75 consecutive years
Photo: John Borren.
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Showcase of Indonesian culture!
Bay of Plenty residents have a unique opportunity to learn to two Indonesianflavoured activities in Tauranga this month Bay of Plenty Indonesia Community Inc is hosting two Batik workshops, plus an all-welcome Angklung showcase on Saturday, August 31, at Tauranga’s Historic Village
BOPIC chair Syully Dobson says her group is hosting the events after demand stemmed from their 2023 Tauranga Indonesian Festival “At that time the painting exhibition and batik demo session were cancelled because our batik instructor was in Hawke’s Bay due to Cyclone Gabrielle’s impact.
“More than 700 people attended the festival and, many were looking for ward to our batik session, so for this reason BOPIC decided to hold a batik workshop exclusively ”
The Indonesian Batik workshops are 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm on August 31 at the Kawakawa room. The Angklung showcase will be held
12pm-1pm the same day A $10 ticket will gain participants entr y to both events. The Angklung showcase is at the Jam Factor y
Syully says the word ‘batik’ is derived from the Javanese word ‘Amba’ which means to write, and the suffix ‘ Titik’ means little dot or to make dots
“Batik is a wax drawing or writing technique, a way of decorating cloth by covering it with a wax layer and then continuing with dyeing the cloth.”
The Batik workshops will see people learn Indonesian batik making techniques called ‘Batik Tulis’ with a ver y simple process because the original process takes one-three months
“Angklung is an Indonesian musical instrument made from bamboo originally from West Java.”
“This event will be open to the public – the more the merrier,” says Syully, who says BOPIC expresses gratitude to Tauranga City Council’s Creative Communities Scheme and Incubator Creative Hub in helping make the events happen
For reser vations, see: tinyurl.com/2z42ubhu Or: tinyurl.com/mvhpt95r Ayla Yeoman
BOPIC members Aurora Kamarga, Syully Dobson, Asa Porter Tika Silva and Astik Doran invite the community to get involved in their cultural events on August 31. Photo: John Borren
Rugby teen needs a bit more suppor t to get to US
A Tauranga rugby player who has secured a partially-funded scholarship to play the game in the US is on the fundraising home straight to get to an Ohio university at the end of this month
James Haua, who plays for Rangataua Rugby and Sports Club, was spotted by Rio Grande University scouts when playing rugby in his club’s Under-19s team in 2023’s
Tampa 7s tournament in Florida
James’ father Grant Haua, a wellknown Tauranga musician, says James was recognised when he scored in the top 10 in all combined tests, and received multiple offers from scouts James, 19, has chosen a scholarship that will see him play rugby for the University of Rio Grande and study on campus for two semesters, says Grant, starting the end of August.
“They are offering 50 per cent payment on tuition That includes
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accommodation, full access to all spor t facilities, study costs, food, transfers, but most impor tantly an oppor tunity to experience the American spor ting and academic culture ”
Own pocket
The other half has to come out of James’ pocket – so Grant recently ran a concert fundraiser at Rangataua Rugby and Sports Club –which, he, his father, and now James have played for Held on July 27, the night raised $5700. With fundraising efforts and savings, James has raised $24,000. So he has $6000 left to raise to meet his $30,000 target.
James started playing rugby at age seven at Rangataua while attending Welcome Bay Primar y School.
“At Tauranga Intermediate, he represented the school at the Tai Mitchell Tournament for 2016 and 2017,” says his father
James then went to Tauranga Boys’ College, and was in their First XV in 2021 and 2022, receiving his cap in 2022 when he graduated and went to work with Grant.
Since school he’s been working with Grant on roofing and fencing jobs while playing
rugby Last year he
in
This year he again played for his club’s premier squad.
A golden opportunity
Grant says James and his family regard the US scholarship as “ a golden opportunity for our boy to embrace the experience of the American system in both a sporting and academic environment”.
“USA is a sleeping giant in regards to r ugby but the systems whereby they nur ture young talent regarding NBA, NFL, MLB, swimming, gymnastics
etc are the finest in the world,” says Grant
“It can only be a good thing for our boy to see what it takes in professional sports in the USA
“James’ course has players from all over the world
“South Africa, Australia, Ireland, England, to name a few ” Grant has few more fundraisers up his sleeve, including a trolley run at New World Gate Pa, but if people want to make a donation to get James to the US, they can donate to: 02-0466-0139020-001
James says: “If anyone would like to give a koha you are more than welcome – nga mihi”.
Ayla Yeoman
played
the BOP Under-19s team and Rangataua’s Premier team.
James Haua Photo: John Borren.
Scooby is a 100 per cent certified goofball! Absolutely sweet and soppy, he’s sure to win you over in no time.
The 18-month-old male loves people and to play
He’s gentle and affectionate
so would be a great fit for any active family Scooby just wants a home where he can be part of the family He needs a large secure garden in which he can play and do Scooby zoomies
Do you go running? Like long walks on the beach? Looking for a canine exercise buddy? Scooby’s your man! Meet him today! Phone the SPCA on 07 578 0245. Ref: 613960.
The New Zealand China Friendship Society is looking for ward to its Mid-Autumn Festival Gala on Friday, August 16 – and it’s inviting ever yone to get involved!
The theme of the event at Baycourt is ‘Full Moon, Full Heart’ which symbolises the importance family and inclusivity, the core values of the Mid-Autumn Festival
“In the past, we ’ ve invited Māori performances to be part of our celebration and this year we ’ ve invited the Indian community to perform for the first time, but we always welcome people of all ethnicities to join us, ” says NZCFS Tauranga president Tina Zhang. The audience will enjoy a diverse range
of dancing, singing, music and a lively festival atmosphere ranging from classic mid-autumn songs to modern pop music and featuring traditional Chinese musical instruments such as the guzheng
Tina says the Mid-Autumn Festival gala is not just a grand gathering of ar tistic per formances but also an oppor tunity for communities and the public to celebrate together
“The event is free for ever yone, ” says Tina. “ We welcome people of all ages to come together on this day ”
Through the gala, the society hopes people not only appreciate beautiful performances but also feel the strength of community unity which allows ancient traditions to flourish in modern society
The NZ Chinese Friendship Society
Griffith
Mid-Autumn Festival Gala is Friday, August 16, from 6pm-8pm at Baycour t Community & Ar ts Centre, 38 Durham St, Tauranga Entr y is free, but attendees are asked to register on the Baycour t website
Debbie
NZCFS Tauranga members Shasha Wang, Shuhua Yang, Ping Wang and Hui Xu welcome all to the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 16.
NZCFS Tauranga member Shuhua Yang can’t wait to share her culture on August 16.
Photos: John Borren.
Cheer ful Charleee! Tenants, flatmates and boarders nant flatmat s an boar er
Introducing the fabulous Charlee, an 11-year-oold Bichon-cross female. She came to RRR with her r friend Gabby, who is now adopted, when their o owner became unwell.
Charlee is full of energy and loves getting out annd about in the car, especially if it results in a walk S She is also happy to chill out and have some lazy time
Charlee gets on well with other pets and people of all ages, which makes her an ideal dog for families, c couples or individuals What to know more? Jump onto o our Facebook page: ‘RRR-Canine’ or website at: rrr org nz
When it comes to renting a home, how you are defined matters. There are a few differences between tenants, flatmates and boarders.
Renters’ Rights?
Tenancies Act.
You are a tenant if you rent a proper ty from a landlord, and the landlord does not live on the same proper ty You should have a written tenancy agreement signed by both you and your landlord You’re also a tenant i if you rent t a room i in a boarding house that is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act
You are a flatmate if f you are not named on the tenancy agreemment but you share a house – that i is not a boarding house – or apartment t with others, and contribute to rennt, utilities and chores; and if you pay rent to share a house or aparrtment with the landlord, or a meember of the landlord’s family
Flatmates don’t have e rights and obligations under the e Residential
Enjoy lunch, complimentar y champagne and hilarious enter tainment – all for a good cause – this month
Katikati College is r unning a Pink Ribbon fundraiser lunch for breast cancer awareness on Saturday, August 31, from 11am-1pm Kiwi comedian Ben Hurley will MC the event, and attendees will indulge in an amazing food experience catered by Katikati College students They’ll also receive a free
You are a private boarder if you rent a room in a boarding house that is not covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 then you are a boarder, and you do not have rights or obligations under the RTA. You and your landlord can customise a Tenancy Ser vice’s flat/house sharing agreement template, to record what you have agreed to P Private landlords must ensure rental properties comply with a number o of standards, including that the property must have o one or more fixed heaters that can warm thhe main living room to 18 degrees C Celsius, a minimum level or ceiling and underfloor insulation meeting t the 2008 Building Code, and extracction fans in the bathrooms and a ranggehood in the kitchen
For morre information, visit: cab org nz, phhone: 07 578 1592 or call in and see e us at 367 Cameron Rd, Taurangaa, Monday to Friday from 9 9am-44pm
Devour a luncheon for a good cause a
glass of champagne upon arrival and have the oppor tunity to purchase a tipple or two from a licensed bar A silent auction will also showcase locally produced food and wellbeing products Tickets cost $35 per person or $250 for a table of eight To book, visit: events humanitix com/katikati-collegepink-ribbon-lunch
Embrace winter walks with the Pawgust Challenge Pawgust Challen
Bay of Plenty residents are encouraged to join forces with their dog or simply support a friend to help raise vital funds this month for Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs.
Blind Low Vision NZ chief executive Andrea Midgen says the Pawgust challenge is a unique fitness and fundraising initiative that challenges participants to walk or run with
their furr y friends ever y day throughout August.
“By gathering sponsorships from friends and family, you will contribute to the breeding, raising, and training of life-changing guide dogs, who offer freedom and independence to people with low vision or blindness.”
Role of guide dogs
Andrea says Blind Low Vision NZ aims to raise awareness about the critical role guide dogs play in the lives of their clients
“Unlike typical pet dogs, guide dogs must brave all weather conditions – rain, sun, snow, or shine – to assist their handlers.
“They navigate through bustling pavements, street crossings, e-bikes and scooters, ensuring their handler’s safety ”
While people are walking with their furr y friend, Blind Low Vision NZ wants them to consider the role of guide dogs
“Creating inclusive public spaces is a collective responsibility – and
unfortunately not ever yone thinks of that when they leave e-scooters lying around, or road signs s obscuring pathways and bus stops, or e-bikes zooming by on the footpath,” says Andrea “At least once a week we have clients sharing stories where they’ve str uggled to navigate public c spaces with ease and independence, due to obstacles and lack of awareness from cyclists and scooter users ”
and independenntly “By braving the cold this Auggust and asking family and friends t to sponsor you, you ’ re helpiing to create a world where ever y yone who needs a guide dogg, has a guide dog.” The e Pawgust challenge is free – and you don’t need a dog to participate.
Navigate confidently
As a result, Blind Low Vision NZ wants people to create environments where individuals with blindness or low vision, and their guide dogs, can navigate public spaces confidently
Tauranga BMX Club is r unning a ‘have a go day’ this month for anyone keen to tr y the spor t but doesn’t quite know where to star t Those with balance bikes, pedal and mountain bikes are welcome to bring them to 280 Cambridge Rd, Cambridge Park on Saturday, August 24, from 1pm-3pm
“By gathering friends and family t to sponsor efforts, participants –with or without a furr y friend – can contribute to raising and training guide dogs,” says Andrea.
“It takes nearly two years to breed and train a guide dog and up to $175,000 to keep a guide dog in ser vice. These remarkable canines then go on to provide years of independence and companionship to people with blindness or low vision.”
To get involved, visit: pawgust co nz
The club asks each par ticipant to please bring your own bike, helmet, long sleeve top, long pants, covered shoes and gloves. The club will have a limited number of loan bikes, helmets and gloves available For more information, visit Tauranga BMX Club on Facebook
Sally Britnell and her guide dog Sienna have joined the Pawgust challenge! Photo: supplied
Tr a v e l
l i n g t o To n g a f o r l i f e s a v i n g re a s o n s
While many travel to the Pacific Islands to relax in the sun, one Tauranga doctor is busy with lifesaving work when she heads to Tonga. Dr Trish Knox self-funds her annual travel to Tonga about July or September, to support the community, particularly
those with disabilities, because disability support in the island countries is limited.
It all started in 2010, when Trish and her husband, Andrew, with their two preschool-age children, moved to Tonga to live for a year There Trish worked fulltime volunteering for a Village Mission Pharmacy
“Looking back, it was a very
special time as when we returned two years later, my husband got motor neurone disease and died 18 months later It was while we lived in Tonga we started our association with The Mango Tree ”
The mission
Trish says The Mango Tree is a mission of the Nazarene Church, which is an outreach to disabled children and adults. “In Tonga there is extremely limited support for disabilities. The Mango Tree runs physiotherapy and education sessions for children and adults with disabilities ” It also provides specialised donated equipment to those who need it, including wheelchairs and walkers.
“This equipment is vital to allow independence of the disabled person and their families. Like many cultures, there’s a lot of pain and distress around having a disability or having a child with a disability
“For many families, life is a struggle. I saw parents and
Visit a magical winter wonderland
Imagine enjoying a luxurious river-cruise.
Being utterly spoiled as you sail through some of Europe’s loveliest regions, with Christmas markets, lights and festivities ever ywhere you stop
Well, don’t just imagine it! Join the team at Midlife Madness this Christmas, when the aroma of cinnamon and roasting nuts fills the air, and towns all along the lovely blue Danube are transformed into a magical winter-wonderland!
“ Ou
t h e Cze c h Re p u b l i c ,
s a y s Mi d l i f e Ma d n e s s ’
with the Christmas spirit.
children thrive in an environment of care and acceptance ” Trish, who visits most years, voluntarily runs a health clinic or a week each time she visits Tonga “I screen for diabetes and high blood pressure, I deworm as many kids as possible that I can get my hands on, and in the afternoon I do home visits “It’s been wonderful to see children grow up Tongans are incredibly resilient. I’ve seen some ver y sad medical cases, but they are so grateful for medical input and care. Over the years I’ve seen children and families realise that they matter, that they are valued. For me this is even more important than the medical care I am able to give.”
Taranaki Garden Festival
Depar t 8 Nov 2024
$2 , 599pp share twin from Tauranga Single room supplement $299
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“Then, warmed with a cup of svařené (mulled wine), we head to sparkling Nuremberg, the ‘Gingerbread Capital of the World’ – romantic Regensburg, a medieval treasure – charming Passau, ever ybody’s darling Then we visit Salzburg which is alive with ‘The Sound of Music’ – on to Linz, with its tasty Christmas tarts – Melk and its Abbey and M t‘ Vienna, oozing
“ We depart December 10 for 12 dreamy days –then home for Christmas Day with our families.”
Twin-share costs $15,985 per person and includes airfares, cruise, sightseeing, most meals and more
A deposit of $4000 per person is due with booking For a free information pack, visit: www.midlifemadness.tours phone: 0800 323 333, or email: info@midlifemadness.tours
There are just two cabins left, so don’t delay Book now
Ayla Yeoman
Trish Knox, her late husband Andrew, and their young children
Samuel Knox and Naomi Knox in Tonga. Photo: supplied.
Home &
A food garden at Ōtūmoetai Primar y School
– to teach students sustainability and how to reduce waste – is to bear vegetables for its surrounding community.
Teacher-in-charge Jane Foster started the food garden with students this year and says it’s flourishing in popularity with the children.
“I’ve been surprised by how eager they are to get their hands dirty,” says Jane. “ We have three lunchtime sessions each week and when I get there,
Teachhing sustainability, s suppor ting community
there are often students already waiting for me at the gate. ”
Now, the food garden is one of 31 innovative school projects to be funded through Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s 2024 School Sustainability and Resilience Fund.
Jane says a $5000 grant from the fund has enabled them to buy tools, equipment, supplies and seedlings.
“ We’re growing winter veges at the moment like broccoli, spinach and bok choy We’re planning on har vesting and then coming up with a system of either sending the kai to in-need families or having a box of free veges that locals can help themselves to ”
Student-led
Decisions about the garden are often student led, says Jane. “Some students come in with requests for seeds.
“ We came up with a vision for the layout of the planter boxes, then the kids worked together to place the pavers and paint. Each student is in charge of their own seeds; watching them grow and learning how to har vest.
“The whole process is designed to teach sustainability and reducing waste with long-term changes,” says Jane. “And I think it provides the kids who don’t play
games or sports a safe place to be.”
The garden is 30m by 5m and complements fr uit trees that r un the length of the school providing feijoas and oranges When it’s officially opened, it will be called Te Māra Kai ō Ōtūmoetai Primar y “Eventually, we’d like a glasshouse for seedlings and we’ll be building a box outside the school to put the kai in, but until then the kids love to take vegetables they grow home to their families ”
Get tips and tricks of the Bonsai ar tform
It’s an artform that spans centuries – now Bonsai workshops will be held at Palmers Welcome Bay from this weekend on August 10.
For store owner Ryan Choy, the Japanese tradition of shaping miniature trees sparks vivid memories of his childhood
“I remember being asked to look after my grandfather’s 50 bonsai plants Not to cut anything – just to water them,” he laughs.
Now, Ryan is excited to offer locals the chance to learn “Workshop facilitator Steve Tawora is a contemporary bonsai artist with more than 30 years ’ experience, who ignores traditional rules and uses a range of species including New Zealand natives ” Ryan and Steve both agree that “tradition always has to be respected” but “bonsai is a way of expressing individual style”.
“Attendees will get tips and tricks on cutting, training and wiring their tree and how to achieve their vision over the next five to 10 years. ”
Any tree can be ‘bonsaied’ with deciduous ideal to work on during their dormant phase, says Ryan.
“You can give them a good haircut while they’re asleep and then those skills learned in bonsai are relevant when caring for all plants.”
Palmers Welcome Bay is alternating the bonsai workshops with permaculture “ We’re on the cusp of spring which is the ideal time to be thinking about gardening and composting,” says Ryan “Donna Tuck is an exper t in creating selfsufficient backyards and we ’ re thrilled to have her teaching workshops ”
Debbie Griffiths
Debbie Griffiths
Ōtūmoetai Primar y School getting their hands dirty in their food garden Photos: John Borren
Jane Foster introduced the food garden to Ōtūmoetai Primar y.
Ryan Choy, Steve Tawora and Donna Tuck ready for the Bonsai workshops at Palmers Welcome Bay
Photo: John Borren.
Unfortunately, this time of year is when us gardeners have to start getting down and dirty!
Home &
There’s no other way around the fact ‘The flowers that bloom in the Spring Tra-La’ – as sung in comic opera ‘The Mikado’ – are accompanied a thousand-fold of weeds
If you ’ ve been liberal with mulching your workload will be much lighter, but there will always be renegades that beat the system On the bright side, they may make good compost.
I’m ver y partial to daisy bushes.
In fact, I’m ver y partial to any plant that’s ‘ no fuss’ and appears to have no problems or predators. They give us so much colour for so little effort.
Hybridisers have given us new colours and
varieties of daisy bushes, and garden centres are only too pleased to sell them – or they’re easily grown from cuttings
I feel two seasons is all we should expect from a daisy bush, so keep a fe w cuttings growing on
Free seeds – just pay for the postage! I It’s t time t to get t down and d dir t ty...
It’s nearly springtime – and if you ’ re interested in growing plants from seed, here’s a nifty trick to get some free seeds.
Each year the Heritage Food Crops Research Tr ust in Whanganui offers the chance for Kiwis to get hold of free tomato and beans seeds – if you send them a self-addressed envelope in the post Currently, they are sending out samples for golden/orange tomato seeds and heirloom bean seeds, so get your envelopes or padded bags in the quick.
If you ’ re about to plant a rose here’s a hint help it sur vive in the hot, dr y summer we ’ re told to expect. Dig the hole at least double the depth of the rootball and fill it two-three times with water and allow to soak in. Soak a whole newspaper until sodden and line the bottom of the hole. Then fill with compost to the correct depth, plant the rose and surround with a mixture of soil and compost, and water in. You now have an insurance policy beneath the plant and hopefully it will withstand dr y spells.
Send an empty, stamped and self-addressed envelope – or a padded bag if you want bean seeds – to: Heritage Food Crops Research Trust, 126A Springvale Road, Whanganui 4501, New Zealand
And you’ll receive some seeds back – for free You can make a donation for the trust to continue their work – to find natural food-based solutions to improve health and combat disease – at: www.heritagefoodcrops.org.nz/donate
The organisation also offers a range of helpful S w.heritagefoodcrops.org.nz
It’s never too late for an
Some do it in their twenties, some in their sixties – take off on their big OE for the first time
For Frankie, Noeline, Jean and Ruth it’s now or never, and each one has her own reasons, hopes and expectations.
Roger Hall’s comedy ‘ Taking Off’ sees these four quintessentially Kiwi women pack up and leave for London, and from there head to other European destinations.
In doing so, they discover new things –including about themselves – which propel them into new ways of thinking about their life, their aspirations and capabilities.
While all four women are ver y different, they are equally authentic, credible and relatable personalities.
Poignant and funny, the play also captures Kiwis’ quirks and their special relationship with the UK The learning: it’s never too late – for the Big OE and to make major changes in life
‘ Taking Off’ will be performed at 16th Ave Theatre from Friday, August 9, to Saturday, August 24.
For more information and tickets, visit: www iticket co nz/events/2024/aug/taking-off
The Weekend Sun has five double passes to see ‘ Taking Off’ for five lucky readers who can tell us the names of the four women heading on their big OE.
OE!
Enter online at sunlive.co.nz under the ‘Competitions’ section Entries must be received by Tuesday, August 13
Share your OE stor y!
But there’s more! If you have been on your OE, 16th Avenue Theatre invites you to share something funny, frightening, embarrassing, surprising,
shocking or other wise memorable you have experienced on your trip. Send your stor y, 150-200 words, and whether you’d like to have your full name or just your first name published, to: info@16avetheatre.co.nz
Entrants agree to have their stor y published on Facebook
Each day one stor y will be chosen for publication and the author gets a free ticket to a show date of their choice. The competition runs August 9-24.
Information session on Ōmokoroa developments
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is hosting a community information session about the mahi it’s doing in Ōmokoroa
The drop-in session, at Ōmokoroa Spor ts Pavilion on Tuesday, August 13, from 4 30pm-6 30pm, will update residents on roadworks and other upcoming developments in Ōmokoroa – with council staff on-site to answer questions
WBOPDC infrastructure group general manager Cedric Crow says council want to ensure the community is kept informed “and people have the chance to speak directly with those involved in projects”.
“The summer constr uction season will be busy, which means you’ll see plenty of action During this time,
there will be disr uption for drivers, and this is a chance for people to ask questions face-to-face, to understand the works ahead and big picture for Ōmokoroa ”
Information boards will include the $23 million Prole Rd project; the SH2/Ōmokoroa Rd intersection upgrade; Hear twood Ave pedestrian bridge; Wāhi o Waipapa wetland at the end of Prole Rd; and four-laning of Prole Rd to the railway line, and roundabout
Attendees can view an animation flyover of the SH2/Ōmokoroa Rd intersection upgrade; and find out more on what new medium-density housing standards could mean for Ōmokoroa “By 2050 Ōmokoroa will be home to an estimated 13,000 people We need to make sure it has the right infrastr ucture and facilities to suppor t our current and future community, and that it’s done in the right way, ” says Cedric “ We have been working on a series of projects – roading, recreation, cycle ways, stormwater, building and planning – for several years now, and this is a chance for the community to come along and see what we ’ ve achieved so far and find out what’s coming up next ”
On the plane to London is Jean (Geraldine Broderick), Ruth (Penny Guy), Frankie (Maggie Grigsby) and Noeline (Sarah Bate ) Photo: supplied
A Roger Hall comedy
Directed by Geraldine Broderick
Today let’s look at some upcoming shows in the Bay But first, something I promised last week...
CDs. Yes, they do keep coming up Just as during the dead years for vinyl, when people would stay faithful, it seems CDs are now solid nostalgia generators – particularly for Gen Z – and there is already talk of a revival
A revolving cycle
Good grief These everrevolving cycles seem to be coming ‘round faster each time.
I wouldn’t have thought there has been enough time for major record labels to screw us all over again by reselling ever yone the same vinyl we once owned on CD and possibly on vinyl before that. Nonetheless, I offer the following statistics.
Sales of CDs rose two per cent in 2023, the first rise in 20 years; then in the first half of 2024 sales were up 3 2 per cent from 2023 Universal Music Group announced physical sales revenues – CD, vinyl and cassette as opposed to streaming –increased by 14 4 per cent during the second quarter of 2024
Taylor Swift’s recent album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ has appeared in
‘Strings
nine different CD variants to date; Ariana Grande’s album this year ‘Eternal Sunshine’ comes in five CD variants
Much of this information came in a piece from the ‘UK Obser ver ’ highlighting primarily Gen Z collectors who apparently now scour second-hand shops for CDs. It might be worth hanging on to that old CD player after all...
But enough fanciful speculation What’s the haps in the Bay? Let’s start with two shows next Friday, August 16.
In Katikati at The Arts Junction, the folk club is hosting singer-guitarist Andrew London and his bass-playing partner Kirsten. Andrew has become a not-infrequent Bay visitor, particularly to Katikati, possibly because he comes in at least three flavours: his trio, all-star outfit Too Many Chiefs; and this incarnation, the duo
A satirist
They’re calling this tour Songs
I Wrote When I Was Cross, and if he’s new to you, be aware Andrew is a satirist in the vein of Tim Minchin or Tom Lehrer, writing ver y funny songs about the foibles of middle class New Zealand. Recommended Meanwhile, at the Mount’s
The return of the CD...already?
Totara Street you can catch o one of the countr y ’ s best groove-rrock bands, Summer Thieves, on t their Summer In Winter tour.
Pur veyors of fine distinctive e indie music and including a Tauranga musician – the multi-monikered Izzy Bones/ / Dylan Israel/etc – t their album m of last year ‘Ciigarettes In S Space’ was rather w wonderful and they dropped a dubby new single called ‘CCaviar Candles’ a few monthhs back.
Still at the Mount, the followwing night, August 17, at Palaace Tavern, Auckland rockers Park k Rd launch their new album ‘Noovel’ with support from locals Maarmalade Skies
M Meanwhile, at the Historic Village’s Jam Factor y, Katikati duuo This Is How We Die, seelf-described as “dark and trribal, fuzz-driven alternative roock”, will be joined by groovy Auckland power trio The Fuuzzies, for a night also featuring thhe ‘Hang The DJ Mixtape’ of claassic and influential alt/indie/ rocck/punk/goth/shoegaze tunes
W Why not?
Attached’ – Vivaldi and d moore!
Thaw the icy chill of winter with the warm glow of Bay of Plenty Symphonia’s ‘Strings Attached’ on August 24
Led by conductor and violin soloist Mar tin Riseley, who is head of strings at the NZ School of Music and a Juilliard graduate, the per formance will be held at St Peter’s Church in Mount Maunganui
Music director William McElwee says audiences will hear some of the most glorious music ever written for string orchestra “The concert starts with the charming ‘Holberg Suite’, in which Norwegian composer Edward Grieg draws on baroque themes, with bows dancing across the strings
“The iconic ‘ Winter from The Four Seasons’ will see Mar tin Riseley take to the stage as soloist – and the audience is bound to recognise Vivaldi’s musical description of a rainy winter evening in front of a warm fire
“The evening will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s ‘Serenade for Strings’ – a masterpiece full of passion, drama, nobility and glowing textures ”
William says this concer t is a special event outside of the symphonia’s main series “and we ’ re looking for ward to the more intimate setting at St Peter’s”
‘Strings Attached’ is 7 30pm Saturday, August 24, at St Peter’s Church, 15 Victoria Rd
Tickets cost adults $15, and under-18s $10 from Evenfinda or The Strand’s iSite
Booking fees apply Limited seats available
The Weekend Sun has two double passes to give away to two lucky readers who can tell us the name of the concer t ’ s conductor? Enter online at: www sunlive co nz under the ‘competitions’ tab Entries must be received by Tuesday, August 13
This Is How We Die.
Photo: supplied
Bay of Plenty Symphonia string players rehearsing ahhead d of f ‘Striings A Attachhedd’ on A August t 24 Photo: suppllied d
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition is back for 2024 –from August 1-November 26.
The Department of Conser vation and NZ Deerstalkers Association host the competition to reduce wild goat numbers across Aotearoa.
DOC director national programmes Ben Reddiex says wild goats are prolific breeders and DOC cannot manage numbers alone. “The competition encourages hunters, agencies, and landowners to get involved and help reduce the damage they cause to the environment
“More than 10,000 wild goats were removed last year – we are keen to up the ante and make wild goat hunting a regular feature in the hunting calendar ” The nationwide competition is on public and private land, with more than $70,000 worth of prizes on offer – enter at NZDA branches, Huntin g & Fishing NZ stores and DOC offices.
Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority reminds all competitors to handle, transport and store their firearms safely, and always identify their target beyond all doubt
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Discover your roots this month
Have you ever wondered about the stories and secrets hidden among the branches of your family tree?
The good news is anyone in Tauranga with the desire to uncover their family stor y has the necessar y tools, and help, readily available to them thanks to their local librar y August is Family Histor y Month, with Kiwis encouraged to celebrate their roots by uncovering their unique histories.
Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries’ heritage and research team has an exciting programme of events to showcase all resources they have available to help family history researchers of all skill levels
“Family histor y research is more than just collecting names and dates,” says heritage specialist Jody Smart. “It’s about discovering the rich tapestr y of your heritage, understanding the lives and experiences of your ancestors, and finding connections that bring your family’s histor y to life. Whether you ’ re just starting out or you ’ re an experienced genealogist, our events offer
something for ever yone. ”
For beginner researchers, Family History Month is an opportunity to get started with confidence thanks to the offer of personalised assistance from knowledgeable staff and researchers who are passionate about genealogy and familiar with the online databases and microfiche machines necessary for piecing together your ancestry puzzle
Those experienced can engage with fellow histor y enthusiasts and share discoveries in a supportive and engaging environment.
There’s also opportunity to hear from guest speakers “We have two very special guests visiting us in August Author Gisela De Castro will visit two of our libraries to share her exciting project, which aims capture our younger generation’s thoughts and feelings about their place in the world; and Rob Mildon, research assistant at the National Army Museum - Te Mata Toa, will visit to talk about the resources available at the Kippenberger Research Centre, and the tools staff use to help visitors on their family research journey ” See events at: https://library tauranga govt nz
Photo: supplied
& Landscaping
Churches Active In Our Community
Things that bring people together...
The Olympic Games, an event that aims to foster goodwill, unity, camaraderie and good sportsmanship, has also been in the news for another reason
Al Jazeera journalist Julie Bindel wrote the following in her opinion piece on the opening ceremony in Paris
“The ceremony, for lack of a better word, was a crashing disappointment
“It wasn ’ t just the rain that dampened proceedings, but the perplexing artistic choices made by the organisers, and the lacklustre performances of so many of the people involved ”
Yet, since the games ’ many tournaments have begun, we ’ ve seen some incredible moments
Who watched Hayden Wilde’s epic triathlon silver medal? And the respect and kudos he gave his good friend and gold medallist
Alex Yee of Great Britain? That’s what the games are about Fierce competition, but huge respect and admiration for fellow competitors and friends
I’ve discovered that when there are common values, shared thinking and people going in the same direction, there will also be a common voice They’ll be speaking the same thing and
doing the same things That’s unity Sport is a powerful thing all over the world It does unite people It seems to bring people together who leave their differences and focus on their commonalities
That’s exactly what Jesus does He brings us together from all over the world, and He sets us free of those differences which separate us from Him, and we unite around His love for us
Why not check out a local church this weekend which celebrates that very thing?
Ste phen Whitwell, C3 City Church, Tauranga.
