Just look at them! Big smiles, bright costumes and brilliant dancing have swung a group of 13 Year 5-6 Mount Maunganui Primary School students into becoming national champions this month And they are beyond ecstatic!
The school’s Jump Jam team, pictured,
were named the Year 5-6 Advanced national title-holders for 2024 in the Jump Jam championships on November 9.
Their routine – inspired by the movie
‘Slumdog Millionaire’ – is called ‘Jai Ho’ and involved a variety of jump jam moves, acting, singing and chanting by the students while donned in their colourful costumes that jingled as they moved
One of their coaches, Lauren Wyse, said the students would often beg for more practice to perfect their routine Their hard work has paid off
However, it was not an easy task getting into the team Wyse said 89 kids auditioned to be in the team, and coaches had to continue to audition until they chose 13 children, which they call “the cream of the crop ” Read more on page 9
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Commonsense has crashed in a mad tangle of holly, baubles and tinsel in Christchurch.
Santa’s elves were ordered to wear safety belts on their Santa parade float after a health and safety audit of risky, hazardous elf-ish parade behaviours
Could be the notorious foehns down there – the dry, warm downslope winds that make Christchurch people think weird, and do weird. And in this case, caused an over-zealous health and safety person having a quiet afternoon to thumb through the minutiae of the manual on the public hazards around Santa parades
Can’t recall the streets being awash with blood and mutilated bodies after previous Christmas parades?
Don’t know how H&S reconciled the fact that 70 floats in the parade travelled at a stop/start maximum of 4km/hr and required seatbelts, but the public bus services getting families to the parade travelled at 50km/hr without seatbelts. Go figure.
Locals gagged on their disbelief: “absurd, ridiculous”, “burning resources for no gain,” and “health and safety gone nuts ” they said. But
why stop there?
Let’s play bah-humbug and completely regulate the “ho ho ho” out of Christmas
First of all Santa, you will be required to file a flight plan before leaving the North Pole. You can ’ t gallivant around international air space playing ‘chicken’ with Air New Zealand Dreamliners. Flight plans ensure safe and efficient journeys from take-off to landing. Sleighs and jolly fat men are not exempt Santa. Flitting around at 30,000ft in the dead of night will now require your
rig to have navigation lights – a red light on your port wing tip, and a green light on your starboard wing tip Nice Christmasy colours, so nothing lost there Santa.
We will also require you to stop off at a ‘commercial vehicle safety centre ’ – a weigh station. If you ’ re dropping off prezzies to every child in the world, we ’ re concerned about overloading and load security
We will want to see a load manifesto
We suspect your rig may also constitute an “ over dimension vehicle” – more than 3.1 metres wide and 25 long. You would require
an oversize load permit, some nice, bright, fluorescent flags and pilot vehicles. You will bear the cost. So, stuff to think about Santa.
I calculate you will be visiting 2,089,400 homes in New Zealand in about 12 hours. So factor in driver fatigue.
The presents have to get through, but if you tire Santa don’t drive, don’t risk your life or the lives of others.
We’ll be checking your log Santa. In fact, you shouldn’t even be driving during the hours you are normally asleep
Noise nuisance There will be no “jolly sleigh bells” and “ho ho hos” after 11pm Santa or we will throw the book at you. Not everyone believes in Santa, and those that don’t want to sleep If you insist on being generous and jolly, then do it quietly
There may also be an issue with your reindeer casting offensive matter They each eat up to 10kg of moss, herbs, ferns, grass, shoots and leaves a day - so what to do with 90kg of processed caribou poop Santa? Don’t make it our problem or we will slap you with a violation
Perhaps it’s time to update the fleet Santa.
Put the reindeer out to pasture and we will do you a good price on nine EVs when you hit New Zealand.
manage than
Much easier to manage than unpredictable, rutting reindeer
High Vis and road cones
This year there will be no thrill seeking, no low passes down Devonport Rd Santa. Regulations specify a minimum safe altitude of 1000ft over congested areas. Of course, you will be roof-hopping around Aotearoa which presents its own health and safety issues.
That will require some road/roof safety management Santa so wear your high-vis and bring road cones, plenty of road cones. Or we could supply and charge it back to you.
We would also recommend against accessing houses by way of the chimney Apart from the obvious soot problems there are personal hazards like fat people becoming wedged. Rescue services come at a cost Santa. And of course, being a non-resident, you would have no claim against ACC if you are injured while being extricated.
So you just might decide to cancel Christmas this year Santa. And while it might be a presentless and joyless Christmas, it will be a triumph for health and safety Ho bloody ho!
*Send your thoughts to: hunter wells@nzme.co.nz
A popular Pyes Pa pub and restaurant that was forced to close for eight months because of fire damage is switching on the “ open ” sign next month.
An early-morning electrical fire in the Good Local pub kitchen on April 26 saw the business close.
“It’s been a long road, but we ’ re finally here and due to reopen on December 13,” said owner Mark Lawrence. “It’s pretty exciting news. ”
Initially, it was estimated repairs would take three months. However, after seeing the extensive damage to the building, it was clear it was going to take a lot longer, said Lawrence.
In the end, there were eight months of delays, but that’s another story But the team of staff haven’t been twiddling their thumbs in the meantime.
Lawrence has facilitated work for staff out in the community and other measures to retain as many of his people as he could.
“We have retained 75% of our original staff and also hired a few new friendly faces. We had managed to find a lot of staff some part-time work, whilst allocating insurance funds for them as a topup “Some have been working in other restaurants and bars temporarily, which has been a win-win for all.”
Different challenge
For those not able to find work, Lawrence and his
wife Mel started a food truck for them to work in while restaurant reppairs were undertaken “Good to Go” became their pop-up restaurant to serve food at retirement villages, night markets, private events and school galas “It’s kept us really busy and it’s been a very different challenge for us, ” said Lawrence.
“Having a mobile kitchen has been fun and rewarding, and the challenge of working in a smaller space is something we ’ re slowly getting used to It would probably help if I lost a few pounds.”
He said the silver lining of the fire destroying almost everything “is we got to start again with a new fitout” And apart from a change to their summer menu, all the favourites remain – even the award-winning beers and ciders Lawrence expects a busy first few weeks but is ready to roll his sleeves up and start serving Pyes Pa again.
On Thursday, November 12, a VIP event is being held for locals and regulars with tickets at $70 each.“That includes drinks, canapes, live music from Jimmy Maher, an official ribbon cutting, a photobooth and photographer, and Good George merchandise giveaways.
“It’s a good chance to come and celebrate the official launch of Good Local 2.0,” said Lawrence. For more information or tickets, follow ‘The Good Local’ on social media. Ayla Yeoman
Tauranga City Council is taking legal advice as it considers the next steps for its marine precinct deal after a last-minute injunction halted the sale.
The council held a closed-door meeting on Monday to discuss the issue.
The marine precinct deal has drawn public criticism for its price and because it would displace many of the businesses that use the Sulphur Point precinct, also known as Vessel Works.
The $13.98 million sale of the council-owned precinct to Christchurch developer Sam Rofe was due to settle on Friday last week.
It was stopped at 8.20pm on November 21 after the High Court granted an interim injunction which prevented the sale from being completed, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said in a statement. The council was also served with judicial review proceedings that raised concerns about the council’s processes relating to the transaction.
Drysdale said the council was seeking further legal advice and information ahead of making an informed decision
The council was not in a position to make any further comments about the sale and it could not confirm a timeframe for any decisions, he said
The injunction was filed by Sean Kelly, the managing director of marine service company Pacific7, which is based at the precinct.
Kelly said the injunction was on behalf of the affected businesses to safeguard the community’s interests and local marine businesses. “We now have clarity about what’s at stake, and it’s our responsibility to protect the interests of our community and industry,” he said in a statement at the time.
Kelly’s lawyer, Matthew King, said Pacific7’s main legal argument was that the council knew before entering into the sale agreement that many of the marine precinct users would be displaced, and that before deciding to go ahead with the sale, the council should have consulted with those users to understand the benefits they brought to the local economy and if it would be possible to move them. “Pacific7 further states that the decision to sell places considerable risk to the future of our local fishing and
The sale of the Tauranga marine precinct has been stopped after an interim injunction was granted by
marine service industries.
industries ”
Tauranga MP Sam Uffi Act MP Cameron Luxt also called for the AuditorGeneral to investigate th sale.
to in view, the precinct well below market value” “
Uffindell said, in his vie selling the precinct “well below market value” was a “really bad outcome for Tauranga” and would impact the fishing industry “significantly”.
Pāpāmoa-based MP Luxton shared Uffindell’s concerns regarding a “lack” of public consultation and the sale price.
“Ratepayers deserve clarity around this decision to ensure their interests have been put first,” he said in a statement
The Office of the Auditor-General confirmed it received correspondence asking it to look at investigating the issue
Drysdale said he had written to the Office of the Auditor-General to express full support for any review or investigation it might deem necessary
In May, the council announced the sale of the precinct to Rofe, to be developed into a superyacht refit destination
The sale conditions meant most of the
working-boat operators would need to shift from their precinct berths
As part of the sale, the council also agreed to pay up to $29 2m to develop an alongside wharf and replace the existing Bridge Wharf, and the council would receive part of the berthage fees Reports presented to the council said developing the precinct under private management would benefit the city’s economy Rofe was approached for comment last week about criticism of the sale
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
People are happier with Tauranga’s new council than they were with the commission, a survey shows – but Mayor Mahé Drysdale is not happy with the results.
Tauranga City Council runs an annual residents survey The latest results show 46% of respondents were satisfied with council’s overall performance so far, up from 34% from the 2023/2024 year results.
It’s the first survey since July’s election ended nearly four years of a Government-appointed commission leading the council
Asked if he was happy with the result, Drysdale said “ not really”.
“We can always be better and [there are] a number of areas we can significantly improve on. ” Each year the survey asks around 600 residents their thoughts on council services and initiatives.
Key Research conducts the surveys and questions about 150 people a
survey is called a wave.
The latest results are based on wave one for the 2024/2025 year, with 159 surveys completed between August 26-September 27.
He said it was disappointing satisfaction with the council’s overall reputation dropped from 26% last year to 24%.
“This is a huge opportunity for improvement and I would like to see us heading back in line with averages from other councils as a start. ”
The average, based on 18 councils, was 44% satisfaction for reputation. A score of 7-10 is satisfied, 5-6 neutral, 1-4 is dissatisfied. It was a small sample and the council would get higherquality results as the trends developed over the year, he said.
Drysdale said he would be concerned if there was not improvement. Reputation and value for money were areas he d i e w
respondents were satisfied with value for money in wave one, down from 34% the prior year Council’s services and facilities were areas the council stacked up fairly well, Drysdale said. Satisfaction was at 63% for water management, up from 56% for the previous year
Waste management was at 80% satisfaction up from 68%.
Satisfaction with public facilities was 74%, up from 70%.
The council needed to strive to keep improving all metrics if they wanted Tauranga to be the best city in New Zealand, he said.
Foourth-term Pāpāmoa councillor
Steve Morris said the surveys were a good pulse on what the community was thinking. First elected in 2013, he had monitored the survey results as a councillor and when he was not on the council.
He was part of the 2019-elected council the previous Government eplaced with four-person om
this year He said council should be comparing its results to previous elected councils and not the commission’s.
“I don’t think we can compare it to that because the commission were always going to be less popular than people elected by a popular vote
“We should be comparing ourselves to the democratically elected councils because the baseline is the same.
”
Satisfaction with overall performance was 73% in the 2018 annual residents’ survey, 75% in 2016 and 67% in 2015
A flag for Morris was satisfaction with the council’s reputation - this and overall performance needed to be more than 50%, he said.
“We need to work hard on the council’s reputation and trust.
“That trust comes from being transparent, it comes from explaining decisions, it comes from conducting ourselves well in public.”
The new councillors were respectful
of each other and the contribution they brought to the city, he said. He was confident reputation and trust scores would improve as the community continued to see their work.
Morris wanted a distinction between decisions made by the commission and current council when communicating with the public.
“In terms of maintaining the trust and the confidence in Tauranga City Council, we need to reflect and as transparency comes in, I think there is an acknowledgement that the commission wasn ’ t perfect.”
*Read the full story at: www.sunlive.co.nz
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and
When we talk with New Zealanders who need help with their hearing, we won’t ask you to spend many $1,000s on hearing aids.
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To find out why you don’t need to buy hearing aids to hear better, contact Resonate Health or pop into one of our local studios for a chat. There will be one near you, from Whangārei to Invercargill.
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A Tauranga man who is now living a full life thanks to a heart transplant asks families to have the ‘donation conversation’ ahead of Organ Donation New Zealand’s ‘Thank You Day’ this Saturday, November 30
In January 2016 Francisko Du Plessis was diagnosed with heart failure while living in South Africa. He moved to New Zealand in 2019, once his health had stabilised due to medication. However, in June 2022, “everything started crashing” within the space of one week. “My heart function went down and that started affecting all the other organs as well, everything started to shut down,” Du Plessis said.
A week later Du Plessis could barely get himself up while in Tauranga Hospital. A cardiologist sent him to a heart specialist team at Auckland Hospital. “They said my heart function was down to under 10%.”
After further checks and stabilising him, the doctors told Du Plessis he had limited time left to live
A plan
But Du Plessis said the doctors told him: “We’ve got a plan.” He had a series of open-heart surgeries to receive a BiVAD – which is essentially two heart pumps on either side of his chest – giving him more time to hopefully receive a heart transplant
After 19 days of waiting on the active list for a heart transplant, in January 2023 Du Plessis received the call that changed his life.
Now Du Plessis encourages people to have the organ donation conversation with their families “Why not save a life for free? You don’t need it anymore and your soul has gone to a better place Have that talk with
your family and those closest to you, let them know your wishes to donate because you never know what happens tomorrow and when your soul has moved on and only the body is left, they will have the final say what happens to it.”
Du Plessis is massively grateful to his donor and their family, who made the tough decision that ended up saving his life. To Du Plessis and his family, “they are forever heroes”.
ODNZ’s “Thank You Day” on Saturday, November 30, is for organ donation recipients to come together and thank their donors.
ODNZ is responsible for deceased organ and tissue donation, a complex and sensitive process that is only possible in specific circumstances and with support of a donor’s family
Last year in NZ, 64 deceased people donated organs following their death, leading to more than 200 people receiving lifesaving kidney, liver, lung, heart or pancreas transplants.
Thank You Day is also special opportunity to express gratitude to every donor, their whānau, and the many others involved in making these donations possible including clinicians and hospital staff, laboratory technicians, scientists, the coronial service, those involved in safe transportation of organs, and more. According to ODNZ, having a conversation with loved ones about organ donation, to make sure your wishes are known, is a simple act of communication that can have a profound impact – one organ donor has the potential to transform the lives of up to 10 others. *Tune in next week, when The Sun shares Francisko Du Plessis’ full heart transplant journey
More than 2500 appointments for blood and plasma donations need to be filled in the Bay of Plenty region before Christmas to ensure demand can be met throughout the holidays, according to the New Zealand Blood Service
NZBS national marketing and communications manager Shane Paramore said summer was an “extremely challenging” time to meet demand for blood and blood products
Paramore said people were “understandably busy” before Christmas, then most took a wellearned break “But the reality is the need for blood and plasma never stops and as New Zealanders stock up for
Christmas, we need to do the same, ” Paramore said
“Your donation of blood or plasma will help ensure patients at their most vulnerable will get the lifesaving transfusion they need ”
According to BSNZ someone in New Zealand needed a transfusion every 18 minutes
Paramore said a single donation took about an hour and can “genuinely make the difference between life and death”
There is one donor centre in Tauranga and the New Zealand Blood Service will host mobile donation drives across the Bay of Plenty until the end of January Find out more at: www nzblood co nz/give-blood
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With September 2025 marking 150 years since Ulster Irish settlers arrived in Katikati, community board chair John Clements wants to know how residents would like to observe the occasion
On September 16, 1875, a group of 34 Protestant families from Ulster in Ireland - totalling 238 people - arrived in Katikati as part of George Vesey Stewart’s organised settlement. The party had travelled by sea from Belfast on-board the Carisbrooke Castle ship, in search of a new life. A second party followed three years later on-board the Lady Jocelyn ship in 1878
Today –as the Katikati township edges towards the 150 anniversary of the settlers' arrival – its Ulster heritage is still alive and well via murals and street names and descendants still living locally
Clements said many families will remember the 100th anniversary event of Katikati in 1975 “and find it hard to believe we are now looking at the 150th anniversary of the town”.
As a community leader he wants to find out
how wider Katikati community would like to mark the 150th anniversary of the Ulster settlers’ arrival.
“We have some initial ideas - and a tentative date of September 13 next year, which is the closest weekend to the anniversary - but I’m hoping the community will respond to this article and get in touch to tell me how they would like to mark the occasion ”
Clements said a few stand-alone projects are underway to celebrate the anniversary - but he would d like to know if the community want to come together to mark the occasion
Clements said ideas from individuals, community groups as well keenness from local schools to get involved would be welcome. “We also know that many descendants from those Ulster pioneer families still live locally - and so we’d like to hear from them as well on how they might like to be involved.”
Feedback can made by emailing: john@johnclements.co.nz by December 14.
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She’s starting to learn n that the world can be a lot of fun and has wondderful things like toys and treats! Cleo lovees food and is working well towards “sit” and will thrive with some further puppy training
A real cuddle-bug, Cleo is looking for a quiet home with previous dog experience to help her settle in and learn to be a c care-free puppy She’s made much progress since arriving in SPCA care and is ready to find a caring g family to give her a fantastic life A big girl needs a home with a suitably sized, fully fenced garden Apply to meet Cleo today Phone 07 578 0245 Ref: 620663
Thirteen Year 5-6 Mount Maunganui
Primary School students who often begged their coaches for more practice time have been crowned 2024 Jump Jam national champions
The team ’ s ‘Jai Ho’ routine – inspired by the Oscar-winning drama film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ – saw them grab the national Year 5-6 Advanced title in the Jump Jam championships on November 9
Speaking to The Sun about the win, the students said they enjoyed the competition and watching all the other teams and didn’t think they were going to win “because everyone else was so good!”
Inspired by ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the group ’ s performance followed the storyline of the lead character 18-year-old Jamal Malik, from the Juhu slums of Mumbai, who ends up being on a game show called ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ Energy and Spirit
The students said their routine involved jump jam moves, acting, singing and chanting for a well-rounded theatrical performance complete with colourful costumes that “jingled” as they moved “with energy and spirit”
The group took their polished routine to Jump Jam’s North Island Regional contest at Bethlehem College’s Performing Arts Centre on November 9, and clinched the Year 5-6 Advanced category Then, with the South Island Jump Jam contest already held on November 2, Jump Jam organisers dove straight into announcing the national champions in each category at the Bethlehem venue this month
On hearing they were national champions, they students said their jaws dropped and they were “squealing with excitement”
Coaches Lauren Wyse and Julianne McMartin were thrilled with the result and believed it was a well-deserved win after all the time the students spent practising
Three school terms of training hard, plus Wyse said the team often begged for more practices to perfect their routine even more – had paid off
“While practising the routine, we also took the opportunity to teach the students about another culture and showed them some videos of Bollywood moves for the students to learn ”
Wyse said the students had worked together collaboratively and incorporated their favourite moves into the routine
Cream of the crop
Becoming a member of the group was not an easy task either, said Wyse There was a selection process with auditions, where both coaches looked for students who “stood out and knew the routine like the back of their hand”. “We had about 89 kids audition, and we whittled it down to 13,” said Wyse
“These were the cream of the crop ”
With 2024 her third year coaching the Mount Maunganui Jump Jam team, Wyse said students involved were always easy to work with as they were motivated and determined to win.
“They’re a super coachable team They love coming to practice and they’re always asking for more practices throughout the week; and they practise in their own time ” Ayla Yeoman
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Air New Zealand, which is renowned for its creative safety videos, is inviting Kiwi kids to create their very own Schools for Safety video to be in the running to receive one of five $10,000 grants Building on the excitement of Air NZ’s 23rd safety video Every Point Counts, launched this month, Schools for Safety is a nationwide campaign inviting primary schools across to showcase their own take on safety –something at the heart of the national carrier’s operations Schools for Safety encourages primary school students to harness their creative spin and produce a two-minute safety video, demonstrating how they make
safety fun while celebrating their own school’s unique spirit, culture and personality Kiwi sporting icon and Air NZ safety video star Dame Valerie Adams will serve as the lead judge in the competition Five winning schools will each receive a $10,000 grant to go toward empowering their tamariki to pursue their dreams
The competition is open to school students in Years 1-8 Submissions close at midnight on Wednesday, December 4 Schools can submit entries at: https://www airnewzealand co nz/ schools-for-safety-competition Five winning schools will be announced on December 10
Articles about council annual plans probably make most readers’ eyes glaze over, but I’m hoping this one will prove the exception
Tauranga City Council elected members and staff have started work on the draft 2025/2026
Annual Plan, which will take effect from July 1 next year, with genuine and comprehensive community involvement being a key goal
we will have to make some changes to the plans set out in the 2024-2034 Long-term Plan, so it’s vitally important that you get involved and provide us with the guidance we need to make good decisions on the community’s behalf
To shape the draft plan and our future direction, we have identified key guiding principles that recognise that in the current economic environment, we face some important choices on where we prioritise our investment and spending Despite the significant cuts required to ensure we stay within our financial constraints, we are still heading towards a record infrastructure spend for the city
We know that many ratepayers are struggling and want to know that their rates payments really count, so our annual “budget” must be affordable That means that everything we do has to provide value for money and deliver outcomes and quality services that will benefit us all
Alternative ways
We also need to look at alternative ways of bringing in revenue so we ’ re less reliant on rates funding
It’s a balance - moving our city forward, while making prudent financial decisions to help Tauranga reach its potential in a way that is fair and affordable for ratepayers The upshot is that
So what are the guiding principles that will take us towards a balanced and affordable budget? In summary, they look like this: looking after what we ’ ve got; everyone pays a fair share; ongoing financial, economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability; affordability; robust and transparent financial analysis; growth pays for growth; and value for money
There’s a lot of detail sitting behind those headings, but for clarity, “value for money ” means achieving the most advantageous combination of cost, quality and sustainability, and refers to the efficient, effective and economical use of public resources to achieve the best possible outcomes for the city
An indicative plan will be reported to the council on December 9; elected members will then provide direction on what’s required to bring together the draft annual plan we want to take to the community early next year By March, we’ll have a consultation document available detailing the options involved and we will be seeking your feedback on what is most important for Tauranga
We want this to be a “peoples’ plan” and we’ll be looking to create some fresh and simple ways for the community to get involved More on that early next year
Greerton Village is turning up the holiday cheer this season with some sweet surprises for shoppers! From festive promotions to cash giveaways and even a special visit from Santa, it’s shaping up to be a jolly month in the village this Christmas.
Sending
First up, the popular Random Acts of Christmas promotion is back in full swing! “From December 1-24, you could be the lucky recipient of a surprise gift simply by shopping at our participating retailers,” said Greerton Business Association treasurer Tony Ryan.
“While you ’ re out and about doing your Christmas shopping, a shopkeeper might just pop up in front of you with a festive treat ” Ryan said the gifts will vary from store to store, so make sure to visit your favourites Also, try somewhere new! Just look out for the Random Acts of Christmas signs in shop windows to be in to win!
But that’s not all – how about some cool Christmas cash? Greerton Village is offering three amazing cash prizes: $250, $750, and $1000!
“To have a chance to win, all you need to do is spend $10 at any Greerton Village store between December 1-24, write your contact details on your receipt, and
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drop it into one of the village’s cash draw boxes.”
There are five shops in the village on Cameron Rd and Chadwick Rd with cash draw boxes ready for you to pop your receipt into It’s that easy
The jolly man
And what’s Christmas without a visit from Santa?
On December 21, the big man in red is making a stop in the Greerton Village Square, outside the Greerton Library Get ready for a fun-filled time of festive cheer From 11.30am-2.30pm, there will be live music, singing, delicious treats, spot prizes, and a sausage sizzle to enjoy Santa himself will be making his grand entrance at 1pm, so make sure to bring along the whole family for some extra festive fun! And bring your camera to capture that special tamariki moment. This holiday season, Greerton Village is the magical fun place to be for shopping, surprises and seasonal spirit “The Greerton Business Association wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, and let the celebrations begin,” Ryan said.
‘Tis the season for opportunistic parcel thieves and the NZ Police are reminding communities to be vigilant around ensuring their special deliveries are secure.
Inspector Rakana Cook said heading into the busiest time of year
for postal deliveries, police want to remind everyone to do what they can to stop parcel theft.
“During this time of year there are more chances for your presents or purchases to be stolen.
“Thieves will often take any opportunity to steal, and parcels
No pressure, and it’s good to know the value of your property
I’ll keep you updated from time to time as the
left on front doorsteps or in apartment building common areas are an easy target. ”
Inspector Warrick Adkin said there are a number of actions people can take to protect themselves from mail theft. “One of those is sending parcels to a work address or ensuring you will be at home when they arrive.”
Other tips to reduce the risk of mail theft are: have a secure location parcels can be left; clear your letterbox in a timely manner; put a hold on your mail delivery if you ’ re going away; provide clear delivery instructions for couriers to leave a package safely hidden or secured within your property; install security cameras and/or security camera messaging near your letterbox or front of property; where practical consider click and collect over delivery; be smart when disposing of packaging, so passersby can ’ t see if you ’ ve been buying expensive items
Adkin said anyone who sees anything suspicious, like an unknown person on a neighbour’s
In every organisation, school, and community, leadership holds the power to shape environments where individuals feel valued, safe, and supported.
However, unresolved challenges – such as stress, burnout, anxiety and disconnection - often stem from deeper, underlying issues like trauma
These struggles ripple ouutward, affecting not only individuals and teams buut also the very fabric of our communities.
The need for trauma-innformed and trauma-responsive leaderrship has never been more pressing, accoording to one of Bethlehem Tertiary Instiitute’s Heads of the School of Social Pracctice, Mr Richard Cook.
“BTI is stepping forwaard to address this critical need by equiipping professionals across education, health, social work, counnselling, whānau services, emergeency services, pastoral care, annd leadership,” said Cook
and Development in January 2025.
“These NZQA-approved programmes are designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to foster environments where growth, resilience, and healing take precedence – laying the groundwork for stronger, more connected communities.”
Dr Fish said this expansion builds upon BTI’s longg-standing g commitment to professional development and reflectts its dedication to equipping leaders with the tools to address today’s complex challenges
“By empowering professionals, BTI seeks to create meaningful change, not just within organisations but a across communities and society Trauma-responsive leadership is not merely a necessity; i it’s an opportunity to create profound annd lasting impact.”
Starting in 2025, BTI’s s Professional Practice posstgraduate programme will expand to include three innovative e majors: Leadership, Trauma-Infformed Leadership and Service, and Trauma-Responsive Theerapy
Dr Lindsay Fish has beeen appointed head of Postgraduate Stuudies to align with the launch of the n new School of Postgraduate Studies, , Research,
Through these new programmes, BTI is emmpowering leaders to champiion compassion, resilience, and coonnection, shaping a future where these values becomme the cornerstone of our commmunities. “Together, we can build a stronger, more unified Aotearroa ” See BTI’s advert on this pagge.
Experience the Metlifecare difference at our Bay of Plenty villages Discover friendly residents, comfortable homes, and a variety of spaces and activities. Each village has its own unique layout and feel if you’re thinking about your next move, come and visit us to find a retirement village that feels like home
Resort-style retirement living
A boutique retirement village located in the heart of downtown Tauranga, with architecturally designed, spacious luxury apartments and premium care home (subject to availability)
Apartments from $700,000^
10 Tenth Avenue, Tauranga Call Jamie on 07 544 7711
The ultimate coastal playground
Relaxed coastal living close to the beach in the heart of Mount Maunganui Set on 21 acres of lush grounds, with a variety of facilities, plus shopping and popular eateries nearby, there is never a shortage of things to do
Apartments from $720,000^
One-bedroom villas from $775,000^
60 Maranui Street, Mount Maunganui Call Amy on 07 547 4175
Find a village that feels like home
Your country club retirement Well-established on 42 acres, Greenwood Park feels like a country club Home to a creative community, and with excellent facilities, discover a world of enjoyment
Apartments from $550,000^ Villas from $790,000^
10 Welcome Bay Road, Tauranga Call Jamie on 07 544 7711
Secure a brand-new apartment
Our exciting modernisation of Stage 1 is complete, with brand-new two and threebedroom apartments ready to move in
Two-bedroom apartments from $740,000^
Three-bedroom apartments from $890,000^
33 Gloucester Road, Mount Maunganui Call Jamie on 07 572 9090
Contact your local village or visit metlifecare.co.nz
Life’s a beach in Pāpāmoa
Enjoy bach-style living at Pāpāmoa Beach
Village Set on flat grounds and amongst a friendly community, retirement here feels like a sun-kissed holiday retreat, close to conveniences, yet away from the city’s hustle
Villas from $730,000^
2 Te Okuroa Drive, Pāpāmoa Beach Call Amy on 07 547 4175
I feel genuinely safe and connected here. A real bonus is the village location super handy to local shops and medical services.
The
Avenues resident
On Tuesday, December 3, Circability will host a vibrant and exciting event at Jordan Field, Memorial Park in Tauranga, to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities
From 10am-2pm, this free community celebration will bring together individuals of all ages and abilities for a day of social circus activities, live entertainment, and inspiring community kōrero
Celebrate Together 2024 aims to promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance
of people with disabilities through the engaging medium of social circus
Circability’s focus is on empowering everyone – no matter their level of ability – to enjoy the artform of circus in a safe, supportive environment.
Participants will have the opportunity to take part in ‘Have-a-Go’ circus stations, offering everything from juggling and acrobatics to clowning and hooping “We’re excited to expand Celebrate Together to all of our centres in 2024 and look forward to bringing the circus to Tauranga for this special occasion,” said Circability event
The Disabilities Resource Centre Trust is inviting Bay of Plenty residents to a community event on December 7 to celebrate the International Day of People with Disabilities.
“Join us to celebrate on Saturday December 7, from 10am-2pm at Mitchell Park, Richardson St Whakatāne, with free entry and free activities,” said Disabilities Resource Centre Trust information services co-ordinator Naomi Freeman
Freeman said the goal of the Disabilities Resource Centre Trust is to gather tāngata whaikaha Māori, people with disabilities, their whānau/caregivers, and all members of our community at the event
“The event will showcase disability and community support organisations, performances featuring our disability community and local artists,
organiser Rowan Ford Dawson
“This is an incredible opportunity to unite the community and show the power of circus as a tool for inclusion, self-expression, and fun
“The event is open to all community members, from whānau and colleagues to those with a passion for circus or simply an interest in joining the fun Celebrate Together creates an inclusive space for people to come together, learn from each other, and celebrate the incredible contributions people with disabilities make to our community”
a kids’ zone, facepainting, Circability’s ‘Have a go circus’ for all abilities, interactive games and mouthwatering dishes to purchase from food vendors
“Our centre is devoted to providing an accessible and responsive service for people with disabilities and the elderly,” said Freeman
“We aim to encourage and support them to exercise their right to live with dignity and maximum independence We do this through information and advisory service, home care and community services ”
For families like Kasey Barrack’s, Tauranga Riding for the Disabled is a space to develop calm and confidence for kids with diverse needs
Both her children, Riley and Rosalee, have flourished at RDA and were involved in the Welcome Bay organisation’s annual ndraiser, the 4-Hour Relay November 2. The event saw children participate in six halfhour riding circuits sponsored by friends, family, and supporters. Riley Baldock, 12, has been riding at RDA for four years Diagnosed with a broadspectrum learning disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder, the Bellevue Primary Year 6 student would struggle with being able to focus Today, Riley can independently ride and steer a horse – an achievement Kasey never imagined possible
“He’s a completely different child,” she said “He’s happy when he rides, and the confidence he’s developed through RDA has carried over into other areas of his life ” Kasey’s eight-year-old daughter Rosalee King, who has separation anxiety and emotional
dysregulation, has also made remarkable strides in her two years at RDA
Inspired by her older brother, the Year 3 Bellevue Primary student has formed a special bond with a pony named ‘Milkshake’ “They’ve really gelled She’s so much calmer, even on difficult days,” said Barrack “It’s as though all of their high emotions get poured into the horses ”
After a session, Rosalee transitions more smoothly back into her daily routine. “She goes back to school and tells her friends all about what she’s done at RDA,” said Barrack. “With any other appointment, it would be a meltdown scenario ”
For Kasey, volunteering has become a source of therapy. “It’s been the best thing for me. You don’t have to know anything about horses to get involved; RDA train you Just being there is so rewarding If I’m having a bad day, I’ll go and hug a horse and it makes me so happy” Tauranga RDA is always in need of volunteers and sponsors. “Whether helping care for the horses, assisting during
rides, or funding one child so they can ride for a term, every contribution makes a difference.”
Donate to Tauranga RDA at: givealittle. co.nz/fundraiser/ tauranga-rda-2024relay
Enjoy free travel all year on Bayhopper and Cityride buses with our Accessibility Concession for those permanently unable to drive. Plus, our Accessibility +1 Concession allows a companion to travel free too.
Departs 03 July 2025
$4995 per person share twin
When it comes to hassle-free travel around New Zealand or the world, the team from Supreme Tours is trusted for its wealth of experience and great value.
The family-run business is based in Auckland but takes special care of its clients in Bay of Plenty
“We get a lot of repeat clientele in older age brackets, which tells us we ’ re doing this really well,” said owner and manager Terri Small
“If they’re flying to join us, we’ll pick them up from their home address, takke them to Tauranga Airport and return them safely for free If they’re joining an international tour, we offffer a $50 bonus for transport ”
Small said it’s a good time to be thinking g about a 2025 tour to Sri Lanka, Japan, tropical N North Queensland or even to Europe for an Avaalon river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest.
“Our tours are fully escorted by lovely w well-travelled New Zealand tour managers who make it t so enjoyable for small groups of around 20 people with h similar interests,” said Small.
“We take care of all the details that would normally cause worry, including local guides when necessary ” Tours allow plenty of free time staying in n mainly four or five-star accommodation. They include e most meals and a lot of sightseeing
The Supreme Tours team also assists with online visas and eTAs at no additional cost.
To sign up for the newsletter or for morre information on upcoming tours, visit supremetoursanddtravel com or phone 0800 809 300.
Debbie Griffiths
Situated in the Bay of Plenty, The Vines retirement village is more than a place to retire – it’s a vibrant, caring community powered by a dedicated team. Each member brings unique talents and a shared passion for creating a sense of belonging and joy for residents. Together, they embody the heart and soul of The Vines of Bethlehem Office manager Jane Done finds fulfilment in engaging with residents and hearing their remarkable life stories. “I love interacting with people and getting to know the incredible individuals in our village.” Similarly, receptionist Lynne
Brayley thrives on the social connections she fosters daily, valuing her role as part of a close-knit team.
Sales manager Tony Stack emphasises the empathy required in helping residents transition to village life, reflecting on his desire to provide safety and comfort akin to what he’d want for his own parents. Village manager Ross Ferguson treasures his role, drawn to the rich stories and interactions that make every day unique.
Head gardener Michelle Croxon and her passionate team maintain the village’s stunning grounds, ensuring a welcoming and tranquil environment.
Maintenance manager Shaun Jamieson ensures comfort for all
while appreciating the natural beauty surrounding the village. The Vines thrives because of this exceptional team, whose commitment and camaraderie create an enriched and fulfilling lifestyle for residents When you meet the team, you’ll understand why The Vines is more than just a retirement village - it’s a true haven of connection and care.
To celebrate 100 years of the British automotive marque founded by Ceecil Kimber in the 1920s, a display of c classic MGs is on this Saturday, Novembeer 30, from 10am-3pm in Mount Maungganui The car show - with at least nine cars on display – including the 80th-anniversary car 2004 MGTF F Limited Edition – is at Farmer Autto Village on Hewletts Rd. One of thhe day’s highlights will be the 1939 W WA Tickford, one of 15 left in the
Departs 26 February 2025 , $2999pp share twin from Tauranga
One of Western Bay of Plenty’s oldest buildings is receiving some TLC before the trust that governs it sets in motion a repainting project ahead of next winter
The historic Athenree Homestead has sat at 360 Athenree Road – overlooking the northern Tauranga Harbour – since it was built in 1879 by Irish pioneers Hugh and Adela Stewart
A working farmhouse for 30 years up to their departure in 1906, the property deteriorated from the late-1940s However, in the 1980s, the local community chose to rescue the building and began a long-term project to restore the building and grounds, which continues to this day
Athenree Homestead Trust chairman Peter Morten said the next item on the agenda for the grand old lady and her associated facilities is a total repaint
“The house was painted in 2011 by professionals and the station painted by Waihī Beach Lions ”
Now weatherboards are rotten, and a repaint is required to keep the building in good condition
Timber patterns
This year volunteers have prepped the station – now it only needs sanding, then to be painted “We’ve replaced a number of weatherboards on the station Just like the homestead, it has about five different patterns of timber,” said Morten
“The homestead itself requires quite a bit of replacement of weatherboards on the older part, and two small windows need replacing Unfortunately, the building now is a replica, not a vintage heritage building so has no classification with Heritage NZ ”
Morten said this has benefits and disadvantages “In some ways it’s good, because we have a reasonably free hand in what we can do with the building. For example, on the homestead verandah
birds keep nesting, so we plan to fill that in So we can do these types of repairs ”
It also means heritage funding for the buildings’ upkeep is not easy to secure “The building’s original timbers are kauri and rimu The trust cannot afford to replace the old boards with these native timbers, so we try to find a similar timber and get profiles cut to suit for repairs ”
Volunteer Charles Williamson, a retired builder, is working to repair the homestead while the trust looks for funding for the paint job Material from a Rotorua company for replacing weatherboards had cost $800, along with the utilisation of offcuts
Morten said the building’s looks can be deceiving “It’s only really the paint that’s holding some timber together It’s something we must address – and if we ’ re spending time and money on painting, we might as well do the base work first.”
Painting all buildings – the homestead, station, toilet block and garden shed – will cost $46,000, Morten said “We’d like to see the buildings painted before next winter That’s our goal ”
And for those wondering – yes, the trust is sticking to the homestead’s traditional colours, but with a few tweaks “In the early days they only had red, white and black colours available, so we’ll stick to a similar scheme We’ll have cream for the main boards, a darker colour around the windows, and the sills and doors will be red We’ve dropped the brown ” The colours had been approved by Heritage NZ and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, which owns the reserve the homestead sits on Morten said the trust had $10,000 allocated to the project “If we get to $14,000 we’ll paint the station, and work on the rest as we can ”
If you can help, phone on 0210 268 6840
Merle Cave
As the company voted Bay of Plenty’s ‘Most Trusted’ Engineered Stone Benchtops for the third year running in 2024’s New Zealand Most Trusted Business Awards, Pacific Stone takes great pride in the customer satisfaction that led to the award
“People come in with plans and the brief for their renovation or new build and that’s very important,” said residential sales manager Paula Williamson. “The style, the colour palette and also the amount of light are all factors in choosing the right stone ” With its fabrication workshop in the back, the Judea showroom has samples of both natural and engineered stones, ideas of how they can be used and examples of finishes; from polished to leathered.
“Stone is very tactile and visual,” said Williamson “Our clients love the natural look of granite and every slab is
unique. It’s also more affordable than many think. I get clients to choose three stones and we narrow it down to the right look that fits within their budget. We’re here to guide with our collective knowledge. If I don’t know something, I have colleagues with decades of experience that I can tap into to get the best result.”
Pacific Stone is the only
Significant reforms are underway in the building and construction portfolio to help enable more affordable homes and a stronger economy, according to Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk.
“If we want to grow the economy, lift incomes, create jobs and build more affordable, quality homes we need a construction sector that is firing on all cylinders,” said Penk.
“A recent report found that the sector supports 20% of all jobs in New Zealand and contributes $99 billion in sales. However, the report also found productivity levels in the sector are the same as they were in 1985 and that the time taken to build a home has increased to a staggering 19 months on average. ” Penk said much of this lost productivity is due to the building consent system which adds layers of regulations that can make even the simplest projects a nightmare.
“This red tape strangles productivity and makes building more expensive – with the flow-on effect being that we are building fewer homes than we could be. This is why the Government has
company in Tauranga to achieve Gold Standard RCS Accreditation as an Accredited Fabricator and is dedicated to ensuring every client is happy “It’s a very personal choice,” said Williamson. “Ultimately, your benchtop is the ‘ wow ’ factor in your kitchen that you wake up to every morning and fall in love with over and over again.”
Debbie Griffiths
prioritised bold, structural reforms which are easily the largest since the Building Act was introduced in 2004. “We know that there are enormous economic and social benefits for Kiwis if they have stable housing and that change is long overdue.
“The guiding principles for these reforms is building needs to be easier and regulations surrounding it should be streamlined, proportionate to the risk, consistent nationwide and place liability in the appropriate places.
“We are not lowering standards, instead we are removing unjustifiable regulations that are not adding value and enabling trusted qualified individuals with a proven track record of delivery to do the job ”
Penk in the make more
“This governme
“This governm plan the economy and end housing crisis.
A White Ribbon community event in Tauranga this Saturday, November 30, aims to change the conversation around family violence in New Zealand.
The event will run from 10am-2pm at Memorial Park, with organisers Amber Randall and Lyric Ratahi hoping it will plant a seed of change in regard to violence among Bay of Plenty families Ratahi, who is Tauranga Women’s Refuge multi-
agency response coordinator, said a whole bunch of different organisations will be there “who have some ties into family violence in one way ”
The event will balance an emotional, heavy day, with some fun activities
On offer will be a clothing swap, free haircuts, nappies, baby food, spaces for breastfeeding mothers during the day, face painting and a dunk tank
“I just wanted it to be an event where people can come and do the things. We will also have a safe space set up for tāne and wāhine at an external location should someone want to come in and want to kōrero and want support, ” Ratahi said
“We’re talking about some really heavy stuff, and I want it to be normalised That’s my goal,” Ratahi said
With one-third of family violence episodes in NZ reported to police, the majority of people in abusive relationships don’t reach out, according to a White Ribbon Factsheet Sadly, women are four-anda-half times more likely to experience intimate partner or family violence than men. One in four women in NZ reported they have been a victim of an offence by a partner, according to a 2009 NZ Crime and Safety Survey “The majority of the things that we
hear is just really scratching the surface,” Ratahi said
Shaming men into action doesn’t work, said Ratahi, as all it does is create a spiral of hopelessness and silence. “We want them [men] to be encouraged to make positive changes in their life, and for
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them, that will look different from person to person depending on their family,” Ratahi said
“Often, you will see or hear men talk about wanting to be different than what they experienced growing up It’s that old thing of you don’t know what you don’t know And a lot of people were raised in violence ”
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TheRestaurantisopen4days, Wednesday-Saturday5.30pm-8pm. ComeoninandtrythenewMenu,you willnotbedisappointed! Hopefullywewillseeyousoon”
We’re pretty much into December It focuses the mind, doesn’t it?
As I mentioned last week, gigs drop off the closer to Christmas we get. It’s just too busy But the start of December is a sort of last hurrah so today let’s look at that.
First though, a couple of new BoP releases. Young Māori singer-songwriter and producer Micah Porter has just released ‘Runaway’ a slice of indie pop with soulful leanings. Micah first came to attention in 2021 while still at school and featured in the finals of the 2022 Smokefree Rockquest.
of Wayfarer Visual. It’s on YouTube in several versions.
The one to look for is titled ‘Anger Dead Empire music video clean’, which has an intro that plays almost like a short film
I’m sceptical of music videos in general but this exhibits considerable craft and impressive extravagance.
Things are happening everywhere, with homegrown and touring talent on display
‘Runaway’ is her second single this year, following July’s ‘Undone’, both produced by Nate Sowter
‘Anger’
You have to tip your hat to Nate, who gets a great sound on both songs and also on a new release from Mount Maunganui’s Dead Empire, a four-piece heavy alt-rock outfit. They probably fit a genre where the second word is “metal”, though I don’t know my distinctions well enough to hazard a guess which.
The reason they caught my attention is the video for their song ‘Anger’, made and directed by Tim Way
Starting in the north, the Katikati Folk Club’s last touring act for the year is Auckland’s hugely popular
The Nukes
Now a fourpiece but reuniting the original trio of David Parker, Ben Collier and Dave ‘Snapper’ Thiele, The Nukes have been together for nearly 20 years and always put on a damn fine show
You’ll find them at Katikati’s Arts Junction
Also on Friday, December 6, at the Mount’s Totara St, likeable
album and various EPs and singles
So there’s one final chance to sing along with all those catchy tunes before we wish goodbye to the band – thanks for the music Ethan, Calum, Jake and Robbo!
And let’s finish at the Jam factory with two cracking gigs.
released five singles this year, completing her EP What Was Once Inspiring
Mount Maunganui popsters
Marmalade Skies are calling it a day after five years of North Island touring, a very good
Sport entertainment platform, The Alternative Commentary Collective has partnered with Rebel Sport and Silver Fern Sport on an initiative to see more than 700 backyard cricket sets donated to Kiwi communities this summer Pass It Forward will see bespoke backyard cricket essentials sold in Rebel Sport stores nationwide. For every set sold in-store, one identical set will be donated to the Tania Dalton Foundation to be distributed to schools and communities in need Silver Fern Sport, NZ’s oldest sports equipment supplier and co-founder of the Pass It Forward programme, is covering the equipment cost and has manufactured the special release sets The ACC team personally designed them to pay homage to one of the biggest Kiwi summer pastimes but as a way to give back during the Christmas period Mike Lane, general manager of The ACC, said: “Backyard cricket is a quintessential Kiwi summer game and now when you purchase one of The ACC sets from Rebel Sport, you can be quietly chuffed in the knowledge that another set will be passed forward to a well-deserving family, school or local community”
That same night - yes, plenty of choice on December 6 - Ravines is putting on a Christmas show Ravines started as a collaboration between composer/ producer Patrick Shanahan and singer/ songwriter Alex Louise The duo produced three electronicallydriven EPs before taking a break in 2017 Ravines is now just a very busy Alex, drawing from her roots as a folk artist, and has
The following night, Saturday, December 7, it’s the wonderful guitar/violin duo David & Shimna They tour the world, they sing great harmonies and put on the most entertaining shows you could ask for What’s not to like?
Christmas is nearing, and all thhrough thhe Bay, sick children with cancer are wondering if they’ll receive a gift on Christmas Day.
Do not worry, though, because the Bay Rodders are here to collect presents from generous Tauranga residents and spread Christmas cheer
For around 22 years, the Tauranga Toy Run has been collecting gifts from people around Tauranga ahead of Christmas to give to sick children living with cancer so they can find their tree surrounded by gifts on December 25.
It’s unsure how many presents the club members collected last year but they would like to see the same turnout this year on Friday, December 6, so no ill child is missed by Santa
Raise awareness
“This event is to raise awareness for Tauranga Child Cancer, who support children and their families and the Waipuna Hospice who do amazing work in caring for many locals in their final days,” said Bay Rodders spokesperson Lynne Paton “Cancer touches many people in our community and can place a lot of burden on families each year
“Many of the people who join the toy run have lost family or other loved ones to cancer, or they know of someone who is currently battling cancer
“For some, the toy run can also be a memorial event for those who have lost loved ones previously” Paton said previously the De Bussion and Ellis families had been the driving force behind the event but Bay Rodders took the lead role last year “The toy run has grown so much and is now a well-established ‘ must do’ on most people’s hotrod calendars
“ “As h hot roddders, thhe toy run is
to use our passion to help raise much-needed dollars for these two worthy charities ”
Paton said usually more than 200 hot rods, street machines, muscle and classic cars join the toy run
This year cars will gather at Sulphur Point Marina carpark from 5 30pm on December 6 At 6 15pm they will head off for a cruise around the Mount then over to Fraser Cove Shopping Centre to show off their vehicles to the public
New toys or cash
“We encourage the public to either bring along new toys for kids cancer and a cash donation for Waipuna Hospice We ask that all toys please be new Our kids during treatment have no immunity so preloved [items] aren ’ t suitable and rather than soft cuddly toys, which many young cancer patients probably have lots of already, we ’ re asking people to donate educational, boredom buster-type puzzles, books and activity games to help distract these children who often spend a lot in time hospital and doctors’ waiting rooms
“All donated toys are given to Tauranga Child Cancer so they and their families can enjoy a happy Christmas through some tough times ” All cash donations will be given to Waipuna Hospice “Without Waipuna Hospice, many people don’t know where to turn You can just ring them up at any time when you are lost, and they will answer any questions you have,” said Paton Bay Rodders thanks Cam from World’s End Bar & Restaurant, who has supported the event for many years, and Fraser Cove Shopping Centre Management and Tauranga Fishing Club which allow the event in their carparking areas
There is a café that I like to frequent I go there specifically for their scones, which I believe to be the best in Tauranga
I’ve been going there for a couple of years now, and the ladies behind the counter know my face and recognise my voice over the telephone when I call to order my scone for later in the day
A couple of weeks ago I got there a little later than usual just to discover all the scones were already gone, and I’d forgotten to order one upfront I was very disappointed and opted for only a cup of coffee
While sitting there I thought to myself that people have certain expectations of Christians
There are certain attributes that people expect to
find/see when people meet us Imagine their disappointment when they do meet us and find that “there is no scone ”
As a Christian, I am all too aware that I tend to “bake just enough scones ” for the first 10 people and leave the rest walking away emptyhanded and disappointed in me Philippians 4:4-5 said:
“Rejoice in the Lord always I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all
The Lord is near ” Notice the ‘all’! When we advertise ourselves as Christians we have to show we are and not only to some but to all.
So remember to bake enough scones so all may, when they meet you, enjoy all that Christianity has to offer God bless
Kev
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TAURANGA WATER WATCHERS PLAN
Under the Supply of Water Bylaw 2019 (the Bylaw), water restrictions are being put in place as part of the Water Watchers Plan.
What you need to know
• This is a year-round water conservation plan
• We are asking everyone to watch their water –At Home, At Work, In the Community
• Please refer to tauranga.govt.nz/waterwatchers to see how you can use water wisely throughout the year The Water Watchers Plan is in place now until further notice.
The Water Watchers Plan applies to all properties that are connected to the Tauranga City Council’s water supply Recycled water, bore water, and water used for testing fire systems, firefighting and related activities are exempt from the water restrictions Water from rainwater tanks is also exempt if not topped up from the Tauranga City Council’s water supply
From the date of this notice, a breach of the Water Watchers Plan constitutes a breach of the Bylaw and will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaw
Visit tauranga.govt.nz or phone 07 577 7000 for more information. Full copies of the Bylaw and the Water Watchers Plan can be read and are available free of charge from Tauranga City Council’s Customer Service Centre He Puna Manawa - 21 Devonport Road, Tauranga.
The Water Watchers Plan can be found from www.tauranga.govt.nz/waterwatchers or by phoning (07) 577 7000.
