Strumming up smiles
This is the scene every Monday evening at Jack Dusty’s Ale House in Bureta About 100 ukulele enthusiasts gather for a mass singalong at the bar
Jill Leighton said it began with a tiny group
than anyone that what began as a handful of friends quietly plucking ukulele strings in a corner is now a high-spirited weekly social highlight for dozens of people from all over Tauranga Read more on page 10
Photo: BobTulloch
Tuesday 24th Dec 8am-12pm (Christmans Eve)
Closed 25th Dec - 5th Jan
Reopening 6th Jan 8am - 5 30pm
I have already received my best, by far, Christmas present for ‘24 Nothing will upstage it. Nothing will beat it
It didn’t cost anything, wasn ’ t wrapped, there was no card, none of the frippery And it was drip-fed caringly and generously over several months
The gift was time, one man ’ s time, very precious time because he didn’t have too much of it left
And he gifted a good chunk of it to me What a privilege What an honour
They say giving someone your time is the greatest gift because it’s a bit of life you never get back Andy and I met in a gym – probably the two oldest, greyest members, Statler and Waldorf pretending to be Adonises, trying to upstage each other The banter was merciless, but he managed to turn the tedium of a workout into a joke and joy A cheeky, funny, smart, wisp of a man – I grew to love him in that wonderful, respectful, fun, blokey kind of way.
Then one day Andy casually dropped to me that he’d had “ a bit of a bad diagnosis” Said it almost glibly so I didn’t read too much into it He didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask It spared me asking difficult questions, to which I might not like the answers
Christmas gift Without fanfare, fuss or flap, he started giving his time without knowing how much he had left to give His precious time, gifted unconditionally, and I was the lucky benefactor
We would sit in various cheap and cheerful eateries chugging flat whites and a picking over a collective 140 years of yarns, lies, thoughts, experiences
And that would be another hour-and-ahalf direct debited from his dwindling account of God-given time, which would arrive in my account Every transaction was a blessing
Andy never complained “Off his food” or a “bit tired” was the worst it got Although he did matter-of-factly
always ready to gamble some of the time he had left On his way back down the Minden he overtook a tractor and then a car while I held back gripping my brake levers He scared the hell out of me The gods delivered him safely to the bottom where he explained “there’s no point climbing hills if you don’t enjoy the ride down”.
A week later we would do it again
Another two or three hours of Andy’s time would be invested with me and we would ride ourselves into the ground Or at least into an early bed that night after a beer and a laugh
Gifted unconditionally
Much later, Andy explained his tumour was inoperable, and that he had already well exceeded his “use-by date”
That’s how he, we, coped with his predicament It worked for two blokes Of course he would have discussed his prognosis, his mortality, the dark stuff, with the professionals and family And that cleared him and me to get on with the living bit
That’s when Andy started my
mention one day he would “eventually hit the wall and the end would come fast” But right now, he felt fine, looked fine, sounded fine It was probably selfish but that’s what I wanted and needed to hear. Put all the gloomy stuff aside
Another withdrawal
Then he would draw another three hours from the balance of his “time left account ” and we would climb on our mountain bikes Over the hill from Bureta, through the marshlands, through Bethlehem and up the Minden. It was yet another living bequest to me
Andy was a cowboy on his bike,
Custard squares
Andy would talk up “the angels” at Tauranga Hospital’s oncology department and the “amazing connection” among patients His “family away from family” he called them
The chat would segue from cancer to custard squares because a bakery at the Historic Village across the road produced a classic one
A custard square could turn the battering from another round of chemo and radiation into a social occasion
I enjoyed the fact a man who was so free with his time couldn’t keep time He was invariably late If we were to rendezvous at 2pm, he would call at 20 past to explain he was going to be late when he was already late
I hadn’t seen Andy for a couple of weeks, which wasn ’ t unusual when he was undergoing treatment Then one evening the phone rang It wasn ’ t Andy It was his son I knew I just knew He didn’t have to tell me I’d lost my new friend of a few months, I’d lost my benefactor, the giving was done, my allocation of Andy’s time was over
All go for city museum
Tauranga will finally get the museum it has “deserved for so long” after two decades of talking about it.
The civic whare, exhibition gallery and museum project - part of the $306 million civic precinct - was approved d by Tauranga C City Counciil on M Mondday
The city centre precinct, named Te Manawataki o Te Papa, also includes a library and community hub w which is under construction and due to be finished in 2026 Te Manawataki o Te Papa was approved by the council’s government-appointed commission in 2022
The council was asked whether to continue with the project and given three options on Monday: proceed w with the civic whare, museum and exhibition centre; stop construction and remediate the site; or pause the project and redesign it
The decision to continue with the $128.4m civic w whare, museum and exhibition centre passed in a 7-2 v vote after about five hours of discussion
Dozens of museum supporters filled the public gallery Former councillor Mary Dillon said the heart of the Te Manawataki o Te Papa was the community whare, exhibition and museum, and if that was damaged the whole precinct would be compromised
The project was the key to making Tauranga’s history highly visible and would lead people on the road to informed cultural understanding, said Dillon
Museums were more than a repository – they were a gateway and window to a city, its history and culture, said Withy ‘Manawataki’ means heartbeat, and he questioned how there could be a heartbeat without culture and history “I urge you not to rip out the historic and cultural heart of Te Manawataki o Te Papa.”
“Do it right, do it well, and do it for our future ” Alan Withy, who spoke on behalf of the Elms Trust, Tauranga Historical Society and Taonga Tu Heritage Bay of Plenty, said there were thousands of artefacts in council storage waiting for somewhere to be displayed
Otamataha Trust chhairman Puhhirake I Ihaka said d the trust wholeheartedly supported the project
The Otamataha Trust represents mana whenua from Ngāi Tamarāwaho and Ngāti Tapu hapū, whose traditional rohe [area] includes the precinct and city centre land
The precinct land, between Hamilton and Wharf Streets, is jointly owned by council and Otamataha Trust through the Te Manawataki o Te Papa Charitable Trust
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said it was another project the new council had inherited from the commission and was already underway The best decision as a council was to deliver the project as planned, Drysdale said It would help revitalise the CBD and was a significant attraction for people, he said How the council voted:
For: Mahé Drysdale, Jen Scoular, Steve Morris, Kevin Schuler, Marten Rozeboom, Rod Taylor, Hautapu Baker Against: Rick Curach, Glen Crowther Absent: Mikaere Sydney
The museum is due to be completed at the end of 2028 *Read the full story at: www sunlive co nz LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
An artist’s impression of the civic whare, museum and exhibition centre. Image: Tauranga
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SH29 road works ramp up
Construction on the State Highway 29 Tauriko Village-Cambridge Rd section of the Tauriko Enabling Works has sheet piling underway ahead of retaining wall works on Cambridge Rd. The SH29/Cambridge Rd intersection upgrade is a key part of the project, said NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi regional manager - infrastructure delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty (acting) Bruce Waugh. “In order to upgrade the SH29/ Cambridge Rd intersection with traffic lights, we first need to build a retaining wall on Cambridge Rd to ensure the road is safe and wide enough to accommodate increased traffic in the future. From early-January, we’ll be closing a narrow section of Cambridge Rd This requires further traffic management, and local residents, businesses and visitors should be prepared for disruption to their journeys over the construction period, particularly from January 6 to early-February”
Pie profits to fund community
Maketū Pies’ new purchaser Montana Group –
NZ’s largest privately owned catering company – said the business would be jointly owned in a new company, with its owners working together to ensure its profits benefited local communities. Maketū Foods Ltd was placed into voluntary solvent liquidation by previous owner, Te Arawa Management Ltd, last month.
Now Montana Group has said the Maketū Pies brand and trademarks would be placed into a new joint-venture entity, and licensed back to the production business; and profits from the new licensing entity would support Te Arawa rangatahi with hospitality and food production training and qualifications
Home values slightly rise
On average, a home in Tauranga is now worth 2.9% less than at the start of 2024, according to Quotable Value’s latest statistics. In a statement released this week, QV said Tauranga has experienced a slight rebound after five months of slow decline.
The city’s average home value experienced a modest monthly increase of 0.2% to $1,005,306 in November However, the average home value is still 1% lower for the quarter – a slight improvement on the 1.6% quarterly decline recorded in October
Nationally the housing market is on track for its flattest year in more than a decade.
Winning duo
Bay of Plenty defending champion Mitch Rees began his 2024-2025 motorcycle roadracing season in style last weekend.
The multi-time championship winner from Whakatāne rode his brand-new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade to the top of the podium in the premier formula one/superbike class while his 57-year-old father Tony Rees was competing too Tony Rees, a former NZ superbike champion, finished third overall for the weekend.
eteran photographer hon ed
A veteran Tauranga photographer – who has made an outstanding contribution to documenting the city’s past through his career behind the camera – has been bestowed 2024’s Tauranga Heritage Award.
When asked how he felt about being chosen to receive Tauranga Historical Society’s annual heritage award on December 1 in the hall behind Brain Watkins House, Bob Tulloch laughingly admitted it was “ a bit surprising”.
“It really is an honour,” said the 79-year-old, who has also worked on The Weekend Sun in recent years.
In a career that’s spanned half a century, Tulloch estimates he’s gone through 10 cameras that have recorded the evolution of a city on film
“I took photographs because I enjoyed it, but then I came to realise that, ‘Hey, this is a part of history’. Some are of events we no longer have, like the Orange Festival with the float parade and citrus queens, and I have photos of Mount Maunganui before the high-rises, Marineland, then Leisure Island and the opening of the Kaimai rail tunnel.
“I took photos of both harbour bridges
the construction, as well as shots from a helicopter of people walking across. I have pictures of Pāpāmoa before it really took off I also came to realise that much of the history is determined by people. We have extraordinarily talented, visionary people here who’ve done some brilliant things, and they need to be acknowledged. So I photographed them.”
Ruatāhuna
Tulloch grew up in the tiny Te Urewera village of Ruatāhuna, where he was the only Pākehā in a school of about 100 students. With that understanding and respect for Māori language and culture within him since childhood, he’s particularly proud of a waka he photographed at Memorial Park that looked “ as if it could’ve been taken 500 years ago ” ; and his all-time favourite project, photographing around 200 kaumātua and kuia of Tauranga Moana It came about when he offered to photograph a woman as a gift to her for catering his wedding to his late wife, Lena. “I wanted to thank her, so I took her portrait at her meeting house in Bethlehem, and I realised, ‘I should be doing more of this’, so I travelled to around 20 marae from Bowentown to
Welcome Bay, inviting all the people aged over 60 to be photographed in their wharenui.
“I was tickled pink with the result. It ended up being a nice exhibition, and one portrait won gold at our national awards For a lot of those people, it was a luxury to have a photograph taken, so it was nice to be able to do that for them. That’s when it’s satisfying as a photographer – when you ’ re doing it for the right reason, not just to try to sell a photograph ”
Record of our past
Tauranga Historical Society’s Fiona Kean said the annual heritage award is decided by society members and in conjunction with Tauranga City Council. The ceremony was held on December 1.
“Honestly, there couldn’t be a more deserving recipient The way he’s captured the events of Tauranga over the years with his camera means we have a record of our past, ” said Kean
“He’s also passionate about the heritage of the city and making sure his old studio at 1 The Strand was preserved. That’s a heritage-listed building now He’s just a wonderful guy, too, and it’s fitting that he got his start with the Owens family
veteran auranga – as
Bob Tulloch has received 2024’s Tauranga Heritage Award. Photo: David Hall
because a picture that Bob took of Mahé Drysdale’s grandfather, Sir Bob, still hangs in the Mayor’s office.”
It was a photograph of Sir Bob Owens’ first grandson that Tulloch said ‘changed my life’. It was 1974, when he’d just returned from Canada with creativity that wasn ’ t yet being explored here in New Zealand.
Fascinating
“The fact that the family loved it so much really opened doors for me. It was a portrait of twoyear-old Sam taken against the sun, with the light streaming through his hair They’d never seen that kind of work before because photographers here were doing formal studio work, and this one was so different. It was my lucky break.”
Tulloch became known for his portraits but initially made his living covering weddings. “One year we got so busy, we covered 51 weddings from November to April” as well as corporate, commercial and aerial photography
He photographed acclaimed novelist Sylvia Ashton-Warner in 1982, the year she received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list. She was already ill with bowel cancer and tried to hide
her identity by booking a portrait sitting under the name of ‘Mrs Henderson’. Tulloch realised who she was immediately but was unphased
“She came along in a gaudy, flowered dress, and all you could see was the dress, so I asked whether she would mind trying something different.
“I loaned her a black jumper and used window lighting She died about a year later, and that portrait now hangs in the National Library [of New Zealand] in Wellington,” said Tulloch.
“The life of being a photographer really can be fascinating, and the heritage award is an enormous honour I’ve realised that the photographs I’ve taken have become a part of history, so for that, I say thank you. ” Debbie Griffiths
Bob Tulloch’s s black and white aerial shows Sulphur Point before it became a container port and before the harbour bridges.
Bob Tulloch’s photograph of surfers who competed in a longboard competition circa 1992
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A student and a teacher at a Tauranga primary school are going to great heights to help give back to the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s life skills and values programme, Kiwi Can.
Brookfield’s Te Kura o Manunui recently won three regional awards: it was named top Kiwi Can school and top Kiwi Can leaders; and student Caleb Samuels was named top Kiwi Can pupil for integrity
Now Te Kura o Manunui mātua (teacher) Kaydin Budd and 11-year-old Year 6 student Asher Matthews will skydive from 12,000 feet in mid-December with Skydive Tauranga, hoping to gather $3000 for the annual fundraising initiative Drop for Youth.
“It was an opportunity given to our kura [school] so I thought I’d jump in and support our Kiwi Can leaders,” said Budd. “They’ve done a lot for
our kura. They work with our tamariki [children] to promote leadership It’s great when those lessons are coming from someone you respect and admire.”
Asher said: “Kaydin asked me to skydive so I said ‘Yes’, but I think it will be a bit scary”.
Kiwi Can leader Ayla Dellaway said her organisation’s role in the school is to support students to learn essential values to be able to thrive and find their path. “These programmes have an awesome effect. You could walk in and ask any five-year-old about positive communication, for example, and they know and understand.”
Profits from Drop for Youth Western Bay of Plenty 2024 go towards continuing the Kiwi Can programme that benefits 3800 kids around the region.
To donate to Kaydin and Asher’s skydive fundraiser, visit: givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/ kaydin-and-asher-drop-for-youth-wbop-2024 Debbie Griffiths
Lions Firewood Fundraiser a Roaring Success
Te Kura o Manunui mātua Kaydin Budd and Year 6 student Asher Matthews try out the gear at Skydive Tauranga ahead of their jump. Photo: Debbie Griffiths
Tauranga Foodbank Chairman Simon Beaton (grey shirt) accepts a cheque from Lions Club member Ken Evans (far right) with members of the ‘Woodies’ (credit: Debbie Griffiths)
What’s Your Property Worth?
‘It takes a whole village’ t
Live Well Waihī Beach has been named a semifinalist in the 2025 Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau National Awards
The top 10 semifinalists in all categories were announced December 12, with Live Well Waihī Beach chosen from thousands of nominations.
Run by a steering committee, community-led Live Well Waihī Beach fosters collaboration among residents, local groups and organisations such as police, Coastguard Waihī Beach, Hato Hone St John, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Waihī Beach School and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services.
aimed at rebuilding social connections, it has since expanded its focus to include financial resilience for the community and effective strategies for navigating competitive funding opportunities.
“Importantly, any bequests or funding we receive are invested directly back into our community, including, for example, supporting the local MenzShed with orders for predator traps. ”
To achieve its goals, Live Well Waihī Beach uses clear communication methods through social media, websites, e-newsletters and other platforms.
The group also works closely with local and regional stakeholders to promote volunteerism, foster resilience, and organise events that promote health, wellbeing and environmental care.
In the past year, the group has made significant progress in accessibility and environmental care initiatives.
Co-ordinator Pippa Coombes said the group ’ s success is a result of the dynamic teamwork between these stakeholders “It takes a whole village,” Coombes said “We also work closely with Te Whānau a Tauwhao Hapū to make our corner of Aotearoa more inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and connected, with a strong focus on equitable health and wellbeing.”
Being selected as a semifinalist means the organisation demonstrates exceptional collective innovation and positive change.
Originally emerging as a post-Covid initiative
The competition’s top three finalists in seven categories will be announced February 26, 2025. The New Zealand Community of the Year winner will be announced on March 20, 2025.
For more information about Live Well Waihī Beach, visit https://livewellwaihibeach.co.nz and https://sustainablewaihibeach.co.nz.
*Read this story in full at: www.sunlive.co.nz
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Live Well Waihī Beach collaborates with many organisations at Waihī Beach.
Photo: Kiwi Droneography
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Robotics brothers off to US
Two Tauranga brothers have won the elementary school division of the national robotics competition and qualified for 2025’s VEX IQ World Championships in the United States
Siblings Damian Walder, 12, and Jeremy Walder, 10, beat 33 teams nationwide when teamed up with a Manawatū team, College Street Normal School, in a two-day tournament in Palmerston North on December 7-8 “They’ve worked every week on their robot since this year ’ s game was released in May,” STEAM-ED general manager Toni de Rijk said. “In fact, this team pulled apart their robot about two months ago because it was a bit glitchy and unreliable and started all over again, but they ended up with a better robot.”
In the game, their robot needed to pick up balls and fire them into goals at various heights in a game that lasted a minute. They also had to pass the balls from one robot to another “Accuracy and consistency were
important,” de Rijk said. This year was Damian and Jeremy’s second time competing at a national level. They worked together to design, build and code, and were each responsible for driving during the games against other teams.
“The hardest part was coding the autonomous driving,” said Damian, a Year 7 student at Otūmoetai Intermediate, referring to the one minute that robots are programmed to perform tasks alone. “It wasn ’ t doing what we wanted it to for a while and it was getting really painful.”
“We took it apart because it was really heavy and slow around the game field,” said Jeremy, a Year 6 Bellevue School student.
“The boys had put in a lot of extremely hard work at STEAM-ED and using their own robotics kit at home,” said de Rijk “They also created an amazingly thorough 103-page engineering notebook that documented their process which won them the design award.” Damian and Jeremy now head to the VEX IQ World Championships in Dallas, Texas, from May 12-14, 2025. Debbie
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Brothers Damian Walder, 12, and Jeremy Walder, 10, with the robot they built to win the VEX IQ National Championships Photo: Debbie Griffiths
Katikati Community Centre is facing a reduction in services if it does not secure a new source of income.
As a result, the centre is introducing the Katikati Future Fund for businesses and community members to partner with it to support operation costs.
While the centre is “ not currently in a position where it will have to close”, said general manager Nicky Austin, without a direct injection into operational costs they are facing a reduction in size
“Along with all charities and not-forprofits in NZ at the moment, KCC faces significant challenges securing funding to support our services.
“Many of our grants have been significantly reduced and the loss of
our Ministry of Social Development funded community connector service last year has meant that we are having to seriously consider diversifying our funding streams ”
The challenge is in operations and wages for staff to support projects.
“Running the centre, even at the most basic level [electricity, insurance, accountancy and audit fees, vehicle running costs, building maintenance] is expensive and these things are very difficult to secure funding for”
The Katikati Future Fund offers 12-month packages, people can gift a one-off payment, set up a monthly payment or leave a bequest in their will.
Email: manager@katikaticommunity.nz
Positive vibes at ukulele singalong
When you walk into the mass of colourful ukulele players at Jack Dusty’s Ale House on any Monday evening, it’s almost impossible to picture the humble beginnings of the enthusiastic group.
It was in 2021 that Jill Leighton asked the pub whether she and a few friends could sit in a corner and quietly practise playing their instruments together
“I can ’ t say I’d had that kind of request before, but we ’ re a venue that embraces live music and Mondays were quiet, so I thought ‘why not’,” bar manager Jess Luxton said It snowballed, surprising even Leighton. “To begin with, there were five of us in the corner and over the last two-and-a-half years it’s got bigger as people tell their friends about it.
“We ended up forming a band from within our members to lead the singing because it had grown so much,” said the 72-year-old Pāpāmoa resident.
Gigs
Now, groups of 10-25 players from Jack Dusty’s Ukulele Club perform at gigs around the city and the money earned is donated to charity. This is the second year they’ve donated to Otūmoetai Social Supermarket.
“We all get immeasurable joy performing for people in residential facilities and at community events It’s wonderful having the opportunity to give to others by sharing our passion for playing
ukulele and singing,” Leighton said Graeme Crossman, of Kiwifruit Country Tours, has been instrumental in organising cruise ship companies to contribute to the band, knowing the money is going back into the community
“As part of our excursion we visit the Historic Village and needed some activity there, so we created it by inviting the musicians,” said Crossman. “These ukulele players are enthusiastic and happy and connect with the passengers brilliantly”
Symphony of colour
“I think the reason the Monday event has become popular is that everyone is participating, and we keep it straightforward with simple strumming and singing,” Leighton said
“As this is predominantly older people, we play mostly 1960s and 1970s songs. We also play traditional and local Māori waiata.”
Leighton insists within half an hour, first-timers pick up enough to be able to join in. “We always dress up, which adds to the fun
“It’s the kind of instrument that really lends itself to this. We don’t have a uniform, we just dress in bright, colourful clothing.
“It’s like a symphony of colour when we walk into a gig venue. People are meeting and making new friends here and everyone is so positive. You’re immediately in a party mood when you walk in. It’s a great vibe.”
If you’d like to join, you know where to find the group on Monday evenings. Debbie Griffiths
Rawini Ngaamo and Jill Leighton on-stage, leading the ukelele strummers.
Photo: Bob Tulloch
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Mr Fixit brings joy
Lex Spencer, Tauranga’s enthusiastic ‘Mr Fixit’, is bringing smiles to Auckland cyclists with his quirky collection of novelty bikes
The 86-year-old has donated seven of his uniquely crafted bikes to Ecomatters, which operates a network of community bike hubs
Ecomatters’ Brent Bielby said the novelty creations add an element of fun and engagement.
“With our expansion to nine hubs in partnership with Auckland Transport, we needed more novelty bikes,” Bielby said. “We were fortunate to connect with Lex and his bikes.”
Bielby said the funky bikes will be available for the public to try out during the hubs’ opening hours, and they expect to see around 35,00040,000 visitors next year, giving many Aucklanders the opportunity to enjoy Spencer’s inventive designs.
The story of Spencer’s bikes is one of ingenuity and community spirit. A former dairy farmer with no formal experience in bike mechanics, he began repairing broken bikes for children in Waitara where he lived. “If a kid had a broken bike, I would fix it, even if it meant finding old parts lying around,” Spencer said.
His early creations, including a four-wheeler built from bike parts, were inspired by a desire to repurpose discarded bikes, and give them new life.
On shifting to Tauranga, he helped with the Kids Can Ride programme at schools. As well as fixing bikes and repurposing 1300 bikes in his shed in Maungatapu for Waipuna Hospice, he started crafting a variety of novelty bikes These included a four-wheeled bike, a child-sized penny farthing,
and a “back-to-front tandem” with riders facing opposite directions.
A volunteer for more than 60 years, he was the winner of the Lifetime Service Award in the TECT Community Awards in 2020.
During the past 15 years Spencer has built many other whimsical bikes, describing them as “ crazy ” because of their unique features, such as misaligned wheels or unusual frames that offer a quirky riding experience.
Although he can ride an e-bike, Spencer is no longer able to ride an ordinary bike due to health issues but he is pleased that his bikes won ’ t be gathering dust.
“I’d have liked to have had them stay local, but if they’re getting used somewhere that’s the most important thing ”
Ecomatters, a multiple award-winning charitable trust focused on promoting cycling provides free basic bike maintenance and education to Auckland’s residents. With the new bikes from Spencer, Ecomatters is excited to offer a bit of fun alongside their services.
“Ecomatters is about making cycling accessible and encouraging people to maintain their bikes,” Bielby said “We’re very proud to be the recipients of Lex’s bikes and keep them out in the community It’s a wonderful legacy for Lex.”
Meanwhile, Spencer remains committed to his voluntary work.
“The other day Waipuna Hospice picked up six fixed bikes from me, but they brought 14 with them. I’ve always said you ’ ve got to have a reason to get up in the morning.”
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Spencer fixing a bike in his Maungatapu shed
Photo: Brydie Thompson
Stress-free Christmas entertaining tips!
lanning a
Christmas gathering? Don’t let the festive season ’ s chaos turn hosting into a holiday hassle.
Whether you ’ re organising a cozy dinner, a casual barbecue, or a full-blown Christmas bash, a little planning and a few clever tricks can keep the stress at bay
With the right prep, you can spend more time soaking up the holiday cheer with your guests and less time sweating the small stuff.
Let’s make this year ’ s Christmas celebration your most effortless – and enjoyable – one yet!
Fridge makeover
Before you even think about the menu, give your fridge a glow-up Say goodbye to expired sauces, questionable leftovers, and anything resembling a science experiment.
Clearing the decks gives you space for your party essentials and ensures no one accidentally stumbles across that mystery container
Bonus points if you rearrange shelves to fit big platters or bottles of bubbly
Menu magic
Focus on dishes that can be prepped ahead of time, so you ’ re not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is toasting to the season
And if you ’ re short on time or inspiration, meal kits like My Food Bag or HelloFresh are gamechangers. They come with everything you need – perfectly portioned and ready to go making it easier than ever to serve up a feast without the fuss. Smart planning, delicious results!
Prep like a pro
Imagine this: you ’ re sipping a drink with your friends while your oven does the hard work. Bliss, right? Make it happen by doing as much as possible ahead of time.
parties: earlier in the easy-to-assemble sides For
For dinner parties: Cook mains day and serve with easy-to-assemb barbecues: Prep and marinate meats in advance –and have a game plan for grilling so nothing goes cold For grazing boards or platters: Assemble them the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate
Clean-as-you-go genius
The post-party cleanup doesn’t need to feel like the morning after a festival If you ’ ve got a dishwasher, empty it before the party so you can load as you go No dishwasher? Fill a plastic tub with hot soapy water and toss in used dishes throughout the night It keeps your kitchen looking tidy and makes cleaning up a breeze
Build your dream team
Hosting solo? No thanks. Bring in reinforcements! Your partner, best friend, or trusty family member can be your secret weapon for setup, serving, and even clean-up
Better yet, ask guests to bring a plate –who doesn’t love a party potluck? Sweeten the deal with a small ‘thank-you’ gift, like their favourite wine or a cute plant.
When things go sideways
Spoiler alert: Something will go awry Maybe you burn the garlic bread, or your playlist refuses to cooperate Don’t sweat it Keep the drinks flowing, have a stash of snacks on hand, and remind yourself that your guests are there for you, not a Michelin-star experience
With these simple steps, you’ll host a gathering that feels easy, fun, and totally you Now, raise a glass to more parties and less stress Cheers!
Pro tip: Your guests will feel more comfortable if you ’ re relaxed and enjoying yourself – not darting around like a whirlwind wiping up spills
Are you afraaid you don’t know enough about t growing? Or just need somme advice on techniques or r desire greenfingered d talk?
Grow On K Katikati is a communiity-led organisation that focuses on increasing food resilience in thhe community, o one backyard at a time
They provide resources, succh as seeds and
seeedlings, skills via woorkshops and connect residdents to one another and their food
The group has also created a working manual for other commmunities to replicate the model and increase local food resilieence in their area
Check out the group ’ s website at: www growonkatikati com for hints, tips and tricks, how-to videos and information about its community food resilience manual
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW OUR SHOW HOME TODAY!
Mobile: 021 026 53536 (Sarndra)
Phone: 07 576 8874
RETIRE IN STYLE
Email: sarndra@woodlandsboutiquevillage co nz
30 Carmichael Road, Bethlehem www woodlandsboutiquevillage co nz
It is the most wonderful time of the year
And the busiest, as The Weekend Sun caught up with Tauranga’s Big Smoke BBQ pitmaster Mike Jefferies.
He sat down with the newspaper to offer his take on the classic Kiwi Christmas dinner
“Do a one or two-day brine beforehand to get a juicy turkey,” said Jefferies. “I have seen too many people ruin a turkey,” he said
Instead of turkey, Jefferies and his family will enjoy a leg of lamb with summer sides, including a potato salad and self-made tzatziki sauce.
One of his favourite summertime sauces is Jefferies’ blueberry sauce, crammed with more than 60 grams of blueberries.
“It is good on desserts and savoury items,” said the award-winning barbecue king.
Jefferies spoke to The Weekend Sun after returning from the Pensacola EggFest in Florida, where he cooked for 600 people
“I ran the kitchen and sent over a few recipes before I got there.”
The event hosted barbecue teams and backyard cooks from all over the United States, and Jefferies was the only Kiwi there.
He cooked alongside pitmasters Slade Douglas and ‘Big’ Moe Cason, which is where the Tauranga pitmaster learnt to hone his barbecue powers
But Jefferies does things his own way, departing from the traditional American pitmasters seen on YouTube, and cooks on aluminium barbecue trays
“I like to do things differently,” he said.
In 2025, he plans to host a dinner featuring top American barbecue chefs for a meet-and-greet.
The location has yet to be revealed.
Ironically, Jefferies will take a break from cooking
Don’t ruin the bird this Christmas!
on December 21 and ramp up again in the New
Year when he will host one of his barbecue classes on January 19.
“I like teaching people to be barbecue gods in their home.”
For those who might be smoking meat in a wood burner or pellet grill this festive season, Jefferies said the secret is to always cook in Fahrenheit for more precision. Good barbecue maintenance is also crucial. Jefferies’ pet peeve is when he goes to someone ’ s house and the grill is filthy
“You don’t want to give someone a foodborne illness,” said Jefferies, who kindly shared his brine recipe with The Weekend Sun readers
Brine recipe:
Ingredients:
200 grams of coarse salt
two bay leaves
10 peppercorns
1 orange
2 Tbsp coriander seeds
100 grams light brown sugar
1 orange zest, cut into strips
Thyme
Method:
Fill a large container or stock pot with 1.5 litres of cold water and set aside. Ensure the pot is big enough to hold your turkey and 3 litres of water
Weigh the turkey and place it in the container, ensuring it is fully submerged in the brine. Brine for one hour per 500 grams for succulent and flavourful meat.
Add the salt, sugar, bay leaves, thyme, peppercorns, orange zest and coriander seeds, whisking until dissolved. Remove from heat, pour into the container, and let it cool completely
Pitmaster Mike Jefferies at his home base, preparing for a Christmas break.
Photo: Tom Eley
Woodlands Boutique Retirement Village is a unique haven of architecturally designed, energy efficient homes, situated in the heart of Bethlehem, Tauranga.
to
g d s ly w water gardens wisely
With summer here and the ground starting to dry out, gardeners are starting to rely more on the hose to feed their plants liquid gold
In Tauranga City, as part of the Water Watchers Plan, use of sprinklers and irrigation systems is banned from December-January See the directive at: www tauranga govt nz/council/water/how-tosave-water/water-watchers
The plan permits use of hand-held hoses - and low-volume micro-irrigation systems – for garden watering for one hour between 7pm and 10pm during the December-February period Bore and rainwater tank usage and the usage of buckets and watering cans is recommended outside the heat of the day
So, with those parameters in mind, here’s some top water-saving tips from the Water Watchers Plan administered by Tauranga City Council Moisture test
Before you decide to water, stick your finger into the soil If it is moist below the surface, you don’t need to water
Frequent, light watering encourages shallow roots, so aim for longer but less frequent watering at the plants’ roots to encourage them to grow deeper in search of moisture.
As a rule of thumb, watering – or rainfall, alternatively - for less than 30 minutes twice a week is about right for average-sized gardens
Water plants in the evening when it’s cooler so your plants keep the moisture for longer
Get a trigger nozzle for your hose so water only goes where you want it to Mulch your garden: it slows evaporating water and keeps the weeds down, too
Put a bucket in your shower and use this water again for watering non-edible plants
Keep your lawn long through summer to cover the roots –this helps to keep the moisture in Also, it’s a good idea not to cut your lawn by more than one-third of the grass length at one time for the same reason
Choose plants wisely
Leave lawn clippings on the lawn to form a mini-mulch and retain moisture for longer
Micro-irrigation systems that deliver water at or below the surface of the ground are very efficient as they water plant roots, not leaves The slow rate of water means it’s all absorbed by your plants, too
And invest in a tap timer so irrigation or sprinkler systems aren ’ t accidently left on
When choosing new plants, choose ones native or suitable to the area as they’ll be accustomed to growing in the Bay of Plenty climate You can group plants with similar watering needs together to limit the areas that need watering and ensure the plants that don’t need much water aren ’ t taking away from the ones that do need more
Keep on top of weeds as they compete for your plants’ water For more information and tips, see www tauranga govt nz/council/water/how-tosave-water/water-watchers and: www tauranga govt nz/council/water/how-to-save-water/waterwatchers
The secret is a daily garden stroll
If you want to keep on top of things in your garden, the best thing to do during summer is go for a daily stroll through it.
Just being in the garden will help you spot problems such as pests, weeds and maintenance tasks.
Also, squash a few aphids or stamp on a few snails as you go Or train plants onto frames, remove old foliage and pluck small laterals of tomatoes – doing these little things daily adds up and helps your happy place keep ticking over! And it’s a task you can do early morning or later in the evening night to keep out of the heat.
Changes to kerbside collections this Christmas and New Year’s
From Christmas Day to Friday 3 January, all bins that are usually collected on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday will be collected one day later This is to give our kerbside collections team a well-deserved break on Christmas and New Year’s Days Monday and Tuesday collection days will remain the same
Tauranga’s Water Watchers Plan permits use of hand-held hoses for garden watering for one hour between 7pm and 10pm - from December to April.
This lovely girl was found abandoned under a house and it took three days to coax her out She was scared and starving but with the love and support of RRR’s amazing fosters and vets, Roo is now ready to find her forever home She is a Shar Pei-cross and a medium sized girl that RRR estimates to be 12 months old Roo loves playing with other dogs and adores attention from people She is doing well with her recall and learning other commands Roo would suit an active family that can give her the time and exercise she deserves, with adequate fencing to her safe If you’d like to know more about this girl, jump onto our Facebook page ‘RRR-Cani
As we prepare to say ka kite rā or farewell to 2024, I want to take a moment to connect with you all.
Looking back, 2024 has been filled with both challenges and progress. Many of us have felt the pressures of rising living costs, and it hasn’t been easy
But as interest rates fall and the economy starts to improve, we look forward to brighter days on the horizon.
At Western Bay of Plenty District Council, we ’ ve been working hard, alongside you, to deliver the projects that matter most.
Projects that meet both our current and future needs.
I’m especially proud of the mahi we ’ ve done in Waihī Beach. In partnership with local iwi, community leaders and residents, we ’ re implementing long-term stormwater solutions to better protect our community after the 2023 floods.
Excited
We’re also excited to see work beginning on our new Waihī Beach library and community
hub When it opens in 2025, this space will be a place for everyone to gather, learn and connect.
Across our rohe, we ’ re making strong progress. In Katikati, our Heron Crescent elder housing redevelopment is rising up and progressing at pace and will help ensure our vulnerable seniors have safe, supportive spaces to call home.
The long-awaited upgrade of the Ōmokoroa Rd-State Highway 2 intersection is fast taking shape. And major works to improve Te Puke’s No 1 Rd and replace No 4 Rd’s bridge are part of our strategic priority to provide well-maintained, resilient and effective infrastructure.
We’ve also been having fantastic kōrero in Te Puke as we continue to develop a spatial plan. That means a long-term blueprint for the town ’ s growth during the next 30-50 years
This plan will help us guide
development that reflects the community’s needs, creating a vibrant, well-connected town with a thoughtful balance of housing, work opportunities, community spaces and recreational areas.
Change
Looking ahead to 2025, we know change will continue. Just as in 2024, we’ll be navigating major new reforms from central government. But I want to assure you we ’ re ready to embrace change and the opportunities it presents, while continuing to deliver the services that matter to you.
For now, let’s pause and reflect on what’s truly importanteach other and the wonderful community we live in.
Let’s celebrate kotahitanga and the spirit of unity at this time of year, take time to connect with loved ones, and have some well-earned rest I hope you get some time to visit some of our magical spots
So, from all of us at the council, ngā mihi nui. Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Major milestone as first sod turned on Pukehina wetland
Regional Council and project partners, iwi collective Te Wahapū o Waihī, officially broke ground on a first-of-its-kind wetland bordering the Waihī Estuary last month
To mark the occasion Regional Council staff iwi and hapū leaders local government officials and members of the community gathered at dawn for a karakia at the site currently known as the Cutwater Road wetland
Over the next 18 months, the Cutwater Road site will transform from a 30ha dairy farm into a 27ha coastal treatment wetland and a 3ha tidal coastal wetland Once complete both wetlands will help improve water quality and biodiversity contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation outcomes through carbon storage, and support the cultural and recreational values of the area
Celebrating one year of Pāpāmoa Hills upgrades
Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park recently marked the one-year anniversary of its visitor upgrades
Completed in November 2023, these upgrades included a new visitor entrance, car park, additional tracks, and updated interpretation and wayfinding signs The improvements have been a huge success, with visitation increasing by 126% over the past 12 months
With a busy summer season ahead, Regional Council is reminding visitors to follow the signs and stick to the marked tracks The Pāpāmoa Hills are rich in history and archaeological features, so it’s important to avoid damaging the area by staying on the designated tracks
The park is located between Te Puke and Pāpāmoa, off Poplar Lane For more information, including a track map, visit boprc govt nz/papamoa-hills
BORDER CONTROL
protecting our coastal paradise from exotic caulerpa
Over the past three years, exotic caulerpa has been found at nine different coastal locations around the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel and Northland
It’s a fast-spreading pest seaweed and, in the right conditions, caulerpa quickly form large, dense mats smothering native species and damage our unique marine ecosystems
Caulerpa hasn’t been found in the Bay of Plenty yet, so we are asking all boaties to do their bit to help protect our coastal paradise If you’re heading out of the region this summer, start with a clean hull and don’t bring back this nasty hitchhiker with you Before you move locations check the anchor anchor chain and gear for any tangled seaweed If you find any type of seaweed – remove it, bag it and bin it back onshore
Top tips to stay safe on the water this summer
The Bay of Plenty is a boaties paradise and it’s lining up to be a busy boating season Our Harbourmaster team is reminding everyone to prioritise safety on the water, so that everyone can return home safely
No matter how big or small the boat, the skipper is always responsible for the safety of those onboard – that means knowing the rules and being aware of potential risk
Our top tips for safer boating this summer:
• Everyone wears a lifejacket
• Follow the 5-knot rule
• Check the marine weather forecast
• Carry two waterproof ways to call for help Find out how to keep safe on the water this summer by visiting boprc.govt.nz/boating-in-the-bay
Gifts thhat k keep thhe seasonal joy alive
To give a plant as a present this Christmas keeps the seasonal joy alive – even for those who aren ’ t naturally green-fingered.
Palmers Welcome Bay has cleverly come up with price point packages to suit all; $20 for a baby house plant, $40 for a plant and pot combo and $60 for bonsai tree kits for beginners
“The time that we spend boxing up the tools and training bonsai to grow a certain way actually doesn’t make it cost effective for us but they’re cute and unique and I personally love gifting bonsai trees so I wanted to offer that to our customers this Christmas,” said owner Ryan Choy
Bonsai workshops have proved popular this year, so vouchers for future events would make a great gift – purchased in store as a voucher or ordered by phone or online for convenience.
“We’re happy to send an email confirmation for those who can ’ t travel to us ”
Choy also takes pride in the homewares section, personally ensuring items are high quality, New Zealand-made and ranging from impressively large
pots down to stocking-filler glass nail files
“You’ll find something here for every family member, friend or even work colleague,” said Choy
“From throws and scarves to quality leather handbags, beautiful kitchen and tableware, to firepits and tools for the garden. We also offer great advice on plants and their care, so chat to our staff if you can ’ t decide.”
Visit Palmers Welcome Bay at 1 Ohauiti Rd, Hairini.
There’s only 12 more sleeps until Christmas day – but there’s still plenty of time left to put your order in with the big red jolly man
Yes that’s right, the Santa Hotline, now known as the Santaline is open – thanks to Spark – so call up and leave a message for Saint Nick, who is busy with his elves and reindeer preparing for the big day on December 25
Spark’s Santaline has been running for 31 years – hearing New Zealand children’s Christmas wishes – d h North pole HQ is n ready for your calls!
Tauranga residents are asked to donate unwrapped gifts at any Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries location before Sunday, December 15, to make Christmas special for youngsters
To give Santa a bell to let him know what you’d love for Christmas this year, call 0800 222 222.
Every year, in the lead-up to Christmas, Tauranga City Libraries collect presents suitable for kids and teens, which are gifted to those in need throughout the community at a special community dinner
Those interested are asked to donate an unwrapped gift, or family gift basket, before December 15. Each of the four city libraries –Greerton, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa – have donation boxes.
Debbie Griffiths
Palmers Welcome Bay owner Ryan Choy suggests a poinsettia plant as a Christmas gift to Emily Scott. Photo: Debbie Griffiths
Eco-conscious choices on offer
There’s a certain smoothness to coffee made with fluoridefree water – and anyone who spends more than $50 at Simply Organic gets to try it for free at sister store nextdoor, French Soul Café
“We specifically bought a water filter because our customers were asking for it,” said Simply
Organic manager Laura Bougourd.
“Some people are concerned about the possible health effects of fluoride and that they have no choice when it comes to tap water ”
The café has been open for six months, with most of its produce and ingredients from Simply Organic next door on Cameron Rd, Tauranga City.
With Kiwis generating an estimated 30% more waste during the festive season in New Zealand, Tauranga City Council is urging its residents to think smart before buying festive wrapping paper
Statistics say that Kiwis will go through 1.6million kilogrammes of wrapping paper alone – equivalent to 10,000 trees – but there are other options to wrap those gifts up Old maps, newspaper, recycled textiles, magazines, children’s drawings or recycled brown paper bags arre great options to use for wrapping gifts instead of conventional gift
“The cabinet food is vegetarian, gluten and dairy free so anyone with preferences, intolerances or who like to eat healthy food will find something they love,” said Bougourd “It also has a genuine hot chocolate machine and authentic French crepes ”
Simply Organic has fresh produce, bulk dry goods, herbs and spices, real fruit ice creams available in-store or online.
wrap – especially glossy and metallicised types, which mostly can ’ t be recycled.
Children will love colouring or drawing on a brown paper to wrap up goodies for their grandparents, friends and family
Reusable gift bags are another a smart option
Sew up some of your own or find New Zealandmade gift bags online. They come in packs of different sizes and shapes to suit most gifts and can be used year-after-year
Another trick is making your own Christmas crackers, gifts and cards to prevent purchasing plastic or unrecyclable alternatives. For how to makke Christmas crackers, and more smart tips and tricks to reeduce the amount of wastte going to landfill, see: newsbeat.tauranga.govt.nz
The Simply Organic team Rory Smith, Brianna Shaw, Mandy Bowman and Laura Bougourd in the Cameron Rd store. Photo: Debbie Griffiths
Embrace worry-free retirement at Karaka Pines Waihi Beach
Cheers to 5 50 years of friendship and fun!
heers
Probus New Zealand is turning 50, and the four clubs in Tauranga have marked the milestone with special morning tea gatherings
They’re also on the hunt for new members with president of the Cherrywood branch, Ian Young, encouraging older residents who feel isolated to join “Loneliness in elderly people is major challenge in our society,” d Young “Unfortunately, hen someone becomes lonely, ey tend to withdraw even more so we try to make our club as viting as possible and cater for many interests as we can ”
ew circles
Probus is a social network of clubs with more than 10,000 members across New Zealand participating in meetings, activities and trips. It originated the UK in 1965 and opened first New Zealand chapter on āpiti Coast in 1974.
Young said Probus is all about “fun and friendship in retirement”, and there’s local branches in Ōmokoroa, Pāpāmoa, Bethlehem and Cherrywood which continually
welcome new members “My wife, Pat, and I had moved to Tauranga a few years earlier and were looking to meet new circles of friends,” said Young, who joined Cherrywood branch in 2019. “We went along to three meetings and liked the guest speakers they had and found the people friendly”
With a lack of members willing to step into leadership roles, Young found himself on the committee four months later He’s been president four of the last five years and is backed by a hard-working committee that organises coffee meet-ups, games groups, outings and interesting guest speakers. “Our last guest
speaker gave a fascinating talk about the flight of godwits between Ōmokoroa and Alaska,” said Young.
Welcome!
To commemorate 50 years of Probus in NZ, club members nationwide are holding a myriad of special events “We offer a way to stay in contact with other people,” said Young. “Anyone who’s just retired or maybe looking for more in life is welcome to come along and see if they like us ”
For further information about the Probus Clubs of Tauranga, contact Ian Young on 0274 851 305.
Debbie Griffiths
Tauranga residents Dawn Barber, Marion Morris, Dulcie Pollock, Pat Young, Ian Young and Brian Neal are all part of one of Tauranga’s four Probus clubs Photo: David Hall
Get help to navigate your driver’s licence journey
Obtaining a driver’s licence can often feel like a daunting journey, which is why Steve Brown has created his own driving school to help those who need a bit more hands-on learning.
Steve’s prior experience as a driver testing officer revealed a glaring need for quality, independent driving instruction – especially for nervous and inexperienced applicants.
He said many candidates arriving for their tests often lack the necessary preparation, frequently leading to disappointing results
But he believes with the right training, inexperienced drivers can not only pass their tests but also develop safe driving habits that will last a lifetime.
Recognising this persistent issue, Steve decided to act beyond his role as a DTO. He established his own driving school, offering weekend lessons designed to equip learners with both the skills to develop safe habits and the confidence they need to be safer on the road, for life, and not just during a driving test.
In response to these challenges, Steve’s Driving School was born “By offering lessons specifically designed to help students tackle their fears and improve their driving skills, I aim to turn the tide for nervous applicants.”
Brown said his unique approach ensures every student receives tailored guidance “addressing
Steve Brown has his own driving school, offering weekend lessons to equip learners with the skills to develop safe habits and confidence.
Photo: supplied
their specific weaknesses while reinforcing their strengths”
Steve’s Driving School also stands out because of its affordability “With one of the cheapest hourly rates on the market, I provide accessible driving lessons without compromising on the quality of instruction but instils practical and logical application of the road rules.”
See Steve’s Driving School’s advert on this page.
Steve’s
Driving School
Need Help to pass your driving test?
• Suffering from nerves? • Not sure of the rules?
StevieB’s Driving School Safer Driving. For Life.
Would you like lessons to drive safely from a current Driver Testing Officer? (DTO)
Steve is a well-known Tauranga-based DTO with a calm & friendly, thorough, and easily understood logical manner
Develop safer habits, not just to PASS a Restricted or Full driving test, but to become more aware & drive safely, for life
Steve is also an independent Driving Instructor and is available for private lessons by appointment
Please text or leave a message: ph: 027 257 8383 stevesdrivingschool.co.nz
Progress buildding on T TNL in 2024
Construction of the new four-lane expressway connecting Tauranga and Te Puna continues to make great progress with the team racking up two million hours of work on the Takitimu North Link project so far, as the third year of construction draws to a close NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi acting regional manager of infrastructure delivery Bruce Waugh said reflecting on the significant progress is a great way to wrap up 2024
“It’s been a cracking year for the crews on-site
Four out of 10 bridges have been built, 1 5 million cubic metres of dirt has been shifted, and
local roads are finished in the Bethlehem/Tauriko area
“It’s exciting to see the new road alignment really begin to take shape. The expressway will bring strong safety benefits and increased productivity for people travelling through the Western Bay of Plenty”
Waugh said being an ‘offline’ project, with much of the work happening away from the road, it’s not always visible to the public “but people can get regular progress updates through drone footage and our newsletter at nzta.govt.nz/takitimunorth”
Waugh said in the Wairoa Valley, bookended by the newly-constructed Cambridge Rd and Wairoa Rd bridges, there is a heap of activity happening with earthworks and environmental controls each side of Wairoa Awa (river), and the construction of the 355m bridge which spans the valley flood plains
“The road will provide the community with opportunities to enjoy the awa in ways not experienced for a very long time, providing access to the riverbanks in this area ”
Some fast facts of the project
include: more than 200 people are working on the project; there’s been two million hours worked since the project started; four bridges have been built; 1 5 million cubic metres of dirt moved; 9km of piles driven; 11,000m3 concrete poured; 800,000 linear metres of
wick drains, to reduce settlement time; and 70,000 plants are in the ground of more than 900,000 required. The project’s estimated completion is 2028.
For more information about the project go to nzta.govt.nz/takitimunorth
On the left is the site for the new bridge over Wairoa River back in 2022 - on the right is the progress made today, in 2024. Photos: NZTA
The affordable, attractiive
Finding the ideal car in today’s car market can be a challenge as we, as consumers, seek to prioritise safety, fuel efficiency, design, practicality and affordability
Today we ’ re looking at the Kia Stonic SX, a compact SUV, which ticks all the boxes to stand out as a strong contender
Proven performer
Among the many options, the Kia Stonic SX has emerged as one of the favourites With more than 1500 sold so far this year, its appeal lies in its balance of features, affordability, and reliability
This compact SUV boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating, a five-year factory warranty programme, and an impressive fuel efficiency of 6 0L/100 km (WLTP) Currently, Kia is offering the Stonic SX at a special price of $26,990+ORC, making it an extremely attractive choice
Design meets practicality
The Kia Stonic SX features a sporty and modern design, nicely accentuated by Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille, roof rails and alloy wheels While sleek in appearance, the Stonic doesn’t compromise on practicality We all love how easy it is to get into the Stonic and find a comfortable driving position Rear seats offer good leg room and you can safely fit several child seats, thanks to two ISOFIX and three top tether anchor points The SUV also boasts an ample boot space with 332 litres of luggage capacity, which expands to 1135 litres when the rear seats are folded down
Performance and connectivity
Driving the Stonic SX is a smooth experience. Its compact exterior size and great visibility make parking easy, aided by a reverse camera and parking sensors
The vehicle’s 1 0L turbo engine, combined with an idle stop-and-go function, delivers fuel efficiency without compromising performance
attractive
Inside, the Stonic excels in connectivity with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible via an 8-inch touchscreen display This system supports music streaming, hands-free calls, and navigation, ensuring the driver stays connected and entertained
Safety is another highlight, with Lane
Keep Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, and Driver Attention Alert, all coming standard on the Kia Stonic
Comprehensive warranty
The Kia Stonic SX comes with a fiveyear/150,000km warranty programme and
five years of roadside assistance, offering peace of mind to owners
Starting at $26,990+ORC, the Kia Stonic SX offers great value for a wellequipped compact SUV Talk to the team at Tauranga Kia, 100 Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui, or call 07 578 1378 to book a test drive and learn more
5 YEAR Roadside Assist
Tauranga Kia
100 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui P: 07 578 1378 | www tmccars co nz
Axel Smith
A little blues after Christmas
Okay Two more columns before Christmas.
It’s that time of year Our Spotify Wrapped individualised charts have been sent out and Facebook is abuzz, noting the several hundred or thousand listeners and streams that each artist attracted.
For example, noted Wellington Bluesman Darren Watson – who only joined Spotify this year – had 5 57K listeners and his songs were streamed 45,000 times That seems like quite a lot to me. He also posted his online earnings from January to November Spotify paid him $29 51 So, I assume he’s not planning to retire on music money any time soon Worth noting is that Bandcamp – another online music service –amounted to 90% of his total earnings And I’d like to suggest one more time that if looking for music, Bandcamp should be your first call because it’s the one place online where musicians are reasonably compensated.
Cracker concerts
Right With just the two columns before Christmas I’d like to point to a few musical treats on offer in the Bay of Plenty Perhaps tickets would make useful Christmas presents? Since I’ve mentioned Darren, let’s continue in a bluesy vein because there are a couple of cracker concerts in early January
The first is on Wednesday, January 8, at the Jam Factory, called Summertime Blues with Paul Garner. Some of you will know Paul He’s the son of Pāpāmoa bluesman Mike Garner and, since settling in London in the early-2000s, has had a stratospheric rise through the UK’s blues scene, fronting his own band and playing and recording with some of the world’s most respected blues legends Paul has played guitar for James Harman, Billy Branch, Lazy Lester, John Primer and Little Freddie King and, amazingly, is the first-call guitarist when Muddy Waters’ son Mud Morganfield tours Europe With them, and with his own band, he has performed at festivals throughout Britain and Europe
Stunning guitarist
I’ve watched Paul play for decades, since he was a teenager. He is a simply
stunning guitari nice guy to boot He comes over each Christmas and usually ends up playing somewhere here, be it the Omokoroa Boat Club or Jack Dustys This time it’s The Jam Factory with drummer Jeff Baker, Grant Willis on bass and Robbie Lavën on sax Mike Garner and Joanne Melbourne will kick off the night and join in later For blues fans I cannot recommend this highly enough; it’s a small venue, I would advise getting tickets early
Then there’s the Waihī Beach Hotel Blues Festival 2025 on January 12 Canadian Tina Turley is back, along with an impressive line-up of visitors, from Taranaki’s Karen Clarke to Auckland’s Dirty Tones, Fatt Max, Gary Harvey and many more
And a final thing I’d like to squeeze in: next weekend, December 21, at the Mount’s Voodoo Lounge singersongwriter Frances Ellen is bringing her band as well as improvisational titans Club Meds and DJ Pabtone Frances’ debut EP, released earlier this year, was a charming slice of indie folk/pop and Club Meds was a powerhouse at this year ’ s Loserpalooza It should be a great gig
Experience the magic of Santa’s Christmas Grotto!
Katikati is inviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy the magic of Christmas by visiting Santa’s Grotto at The Arts Junction this month.
Yes, the big jolly red man is back in town and the Junction Theatre at The Arts Junction has transformed into a breathtaking magical wonderland to delight visitors of all ages.
Katch Katikati events manager Kylie Watkins said Santa’s Grotto opened on Friday, December 13, from 5pm to 7pm, with a special event; then the attraction
will be open daily – except Christmas Day of course when Santa is busy on the sleigh delivering presents – until Saturday, December 28.
“This enchanting space draws families from across the region, offering a heart-warming holiday experience,” Watkins said
“Bring the whole family to meet Santa for selfies, enjoy holiday-themed entertainment and participate in fun prize giveaways.”
Santa himself will make special appearances until Christmas Eve – check out his schedule at The Arts Junction or go to www.katikati.org.nz –otherwise enjoy the magical displays created by six community groups and businesses.
“And don’t miss the stunning entries in Katikati’s Upcycled Christmas Tree Competition. These creative trees, crafted from recycled materials by talented community members, are sure to inspire,” Watkins said “Visitors can vote for their favourite tree, with cash prizes awarded to the top picks.”
She said Santa’s Christmas Grotto attracted more than 1000 visitors each year, “and we ’ re delighted to share this festive experience with our community to close out another wonderful year”.
Santa’s Christmas Grotto is open daily at The Arts Junction, Katikati, from December 13-28, except Christmas Day All are welcome, with a gold coin donation per entry appreciated. For opening hours and Santa’s schedule, go to: katikati.org.nz.
Santa has visited the grotto to check it out –ready for the opening on December 13.
Photo: supplied
ist And a helluva h Paul Garner.
Photo: supplied
Thrilling tennis for all to enjoy!
A thrilling week of tennis is being served up in Tauranga when a world-class event returns to town on Monday, December 16.
The EVES Open World tennis Tour Tauranga is at the Venture Developments Western Bay of Plenty Tennis Centre in Pāpāmoa from 11am daily from December 16-22.
The tournament attracted more than 500 players, coaches and officials from more than 20 countries in its first two years – this year it offers a 32-player singles draw and 16 pair doubles draw, and knock-out competition for men and women. General admission is free, and courtside hospitality is available via bookings
Rising stars
Part of the official world tennis circuit, the EVES Open allows players to compete for world ranking points as they begin their professional journeys, and so
attracts rising tennis stars from across the globe Tennis NZ commercial marketing manager Gareth Archer said the EVES Open in Tauranga is a very special event for all involved.
“Several players who took part last year said it’s their favourite tournament all year ”
Archer said Tennis NZ is “stoked” to have stakeholders EVES, TECT and Tauranga City Council share its vision for free, world-class events in the community
“The Tennis NZ Summer Series ensures the public gets to enjoy professional live tennis this summer, with most events free to enter and options for courtside corporate hospitality available.”
Archer said Tauranga is the ideal host city “Tauranga offers everything needed for an exceptional event – a fantastic tennis facility, strong local support and a summer setting that players and fans love. The relaxed holiday atmosphere in Pāpāmoa makes this tournament truly special.”
He also emphasised the unique
experience the Tauranga event offers spectators.
“If you ’ ve never seen top-level tennis up close, it’s an amazing sight to witness how hard these players hit the ball and their incredible skill on the court ”
Wheelchair tennis
This year ’ s event includes wheelchair tennis have-a-go sessions to encourage local wheelchair users to try tennis in a welcoming and fun environment and an expanded holiday programme so kids can learn tennis skills, meet the players and experience the action firsthand.
“The NZ Wheelchair Tennis Championships will again run alongside the World Tennis Tour, celebrating the sport ’ s diversity and inclusivity”
For more details, see: https:// tennis.kiwi/evesopen/
Meals are delivered fresh each day 7 days week
Meals are delivered between 11.30am – 1.00pm
4 Heath Street, Mt Maunganui 07 575 5619 meals@malyonhouse.co.nz www malyonhouse co nz
Whānau funto openplayground
Tauranga City Council is hosting Whānau Fun on the Waterfront this Saturday, December 14, to open the newly-built playground on-site
The new playground, which boasts an impressive 8-metre-tall waka tower, has four different zones to discoverthe waka tower; a nature trail zone for climbing and balancing; the elevated pathway etched with the Milky Way and Matariki stars; and a water play zone with troughs and water pumps
Visitors can also shoot hoops on the basketball half-court right next door
From 10am-12 noon on December 14, Whānau Fun on the Waterfront will offer kids’ activities including
An artist’s impression of the playground. Photo: supplied
facepainting, colouring stations, and places to write letters to Santa (who is dropping by to say hello) So gather the whānau and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, plus ice creams for the kids!
Christmas ‘Eve’ Market 21st December 7.45am - 12 noon
Shop for fresh fruit and vegetables, breads, meat, seafood and more There is everything you need to make a Christmas day feast sure to impress all of your friends and family!
Merry Christmas from Tauranga Farmers Market
Located - Cnr, Cameron Road & Fifth Ave www.tgafarmersmarket.org.nz @taurangafarmersmarket
MUSICFOR THISWEEK: FRIDAY13TH: STAGETALK SATURDAY14TH: RAY SOLOMON& DOUGIE
OPENTOTHEPUBLIC JointheTauranga CitizensClubfor only$35plusaone offfeeof$10for administrationfees.
Former NZ Paralympian Tiffiney Perry in action at last year ’ s event. Photo: supplied
Kiwi tennis player Valentina Ivanov at a previous EVES Open in Tauranga Photo: supplied
Christmas dinner for all at St Peters in the City
St Peters in the City is hosting its Christmas dinner on December 25, and invites the whole community
Reverend Enosa Auva’a said the dinner from 5pm-7pm on Christmas Day will be a chance for the community to come
together to meet new people and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
The St Peters Church has been holding these annual Christmas dinners for 35 years, always serving around 250 people. “It’s one way that we can support those who don’t have a normal meal on Christmas Day,” said Reverend Auva’a.
“This is an invitation for those who don’t have the privilege of just sitting at a table and having a meal together This is an opportunity for you to come and join us ”
There is a set menu of cold meats, roasted vegetables and desserts that will be served by a large group of volunteers from
around Tauranga. Entertainment including singers and a performance by the church choir
Rev Auva’a said his favourite memories from the Christmas dinners over the years have been the stories that are told when you sit down with others from the community and catch up on what had happened in their lives during the year. “They are treasures, ” said Reverend Auva’a who calls these chats ‘Table Talks’.
“We look forward to seeing as many
of our own community become part of this event to celebrate knowing the birth of Jesus It’s always a lovely time.”
St Peters Church relies on donations and fundraising to host the dinner Reverend Auva’a said it usually costs between $4000-$5000. Donations, including food donations, can be dropped off at the St Peters in the City office from Tuesday to Thursday 9am-4pm or Friday 9am-12pm up to Friday, December 20. Ayla Yeoman
St Peters Reverend Enosa Auva’a
Photo: David Hall
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah prophesied with extreme clarity and accuracy, some 700 years before the event, that one day a Divine King would be given to the world
One who would be born as an invincible King of all kings This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born in Nazareth
Isaiah wrote: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:6-7) ”
Every Christmas is a reminder of the fulfilment of this prophecy The apostle John wrote: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life For God did not send his Son into the world to
As we approach Christmas Day, there are many decisions to make
Have all the presents been bought? Have the holidays been organised?
Where is the Christmas lunch being held? And who will be attending?
What’s the menu and who’s bringing food? Are we going to have a Christmas tree this year?
There is so much preparation needed for our Christmas celebrations that the month of December flies by in a blur of activity
But sometimes we are so busy, we forget Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth His birth is significant because the babe of Bethlehem became our saviour At Easter, we remember this
Among the challenges we all face, Christmas gives us hope that in Jesus, God came to us and loves us He knows us and is patiently waiting
Churches Active In Our Community
condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17) ”
Dear reader, Christmas is another opportunity to embrace this simple truth: Jesus, the Son of God, was given to humanity, to all people everywhere, as the Father’s loving grace gift of the Son who would ultimately pay the full and final price for our sin
The risen Jesus Christ is the One who now reigns eternally; He is our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace As the well-known hymn says: “Oh come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!” Richard Roodt, Redeemer Church Tauranga
for us to respond to Him Are you ready to do that?
The Bible, in John 3:16-17, tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”
If you’d like to pay your respects to Jesus, you are most welcome to attend any of the churches
As the Christmas carol reminds us: “Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King”
May you all have a blessed Christmas
Minister Sandra Warner, St. Columba Presbyterian Church
You are welcome to worship with us each Sabbath (Saturday)
St Andrews Church, Dee St, Mt Maunganui Bible Study 9:30am • Worship Service 10:45am Enquiries
5pm Vigil St Patrick’s Church Te Puke
7pm & 10pm St Thomas More Church, Mt Maunganui
Christmas Eve Christmas Day
ChristmasatMountMaunganuiAnglicanParish
Sun15Dec7pm 9LessonsandCarols Wed18Dec10am HolyEucharist (LastWedServicefor2024) Sunday22Dec9.30am Advent3Eucharist
ContactParishOffice Ph:5759945
Sunday22Dec4 00pm
BlueChristmasService
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StPeter’s,15VictoriaRd, MtMaunganui
Christmas Masses
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RHIND, Tony (Gunky) Passed away at home in Tauranga on 23rd November 2024 Loved Husband to Helen and father to Michelle, Jo and Chris A farewell celebrating Tony’s life has been held with family and friends In lieu of flowers please donate to Tony’s favourite radio station Village radio Givealittle co nz/vradio
acknowledgements
Marjorie Catherine Flowerday 9/9/1936- 14/10/2024
On behalf of Mary, Rebecca , Rachael and families,we would like to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support shown during our Mum s illness and her passing
Your thoughtful messages,cards, visits and calls have been a great comfort to us,as has the nourishing food and kind assistance provided during this challenging time Mum touched so many lives in her 88 years, and it s clear from the outpouring of love and kindness that she will be greatly missed
Thank you all for being part of her life and for sharing in our sorrow
We are grateful for the l h f
