ReadourAnzac storiesonpages4-6.
Throatswillburn,eyeswillweep,stomachswill cramp,andeyebrowswilldripsweat!
YesTauranga,our‘heat’of2025’sNZChilli EatingChampsiscomingtotownthisweekend –andthisyearisbringingthecity’sfirsteverHot SauceFestival!
Thingsfireupat12noonthisSaturday,as thefestivalgetsunderwayalongWharfStwith restaurantsoffering‘spicedup’platesontheir menusandhotsaucevendorscommandingthe foodiethoroughfarewithstallssellingtheirwares. TheNZChilliEatingChampsisopentoall–
justgettoTheBarrelRoombefore4pmtoenter. Upforgrabsisachanceto‘burn’Tauranga’s nationalchampionchillieaterShannonLeigh (pictured),plusclaimprizesandacovetedspotin thenationalfinals. Forthosewhothinktheycanhandletheheat,
competitionrulesincludethetechnicalitythat chillishavegottobechewedforhalfaminuteto reallymakesurethepulpisinyourmouth!Yikes! Readmoreaboutthefestival,thechillichamps andShannon’strainingmethodsonpage19.
Photo/BrydieThompson
TheWeekendSun
Thursday 24 April 2025
405CameronRd,PrivateBag12002, TaurangaMailCentre,Tauranga3143.
Phone075780030 www.theweekendsun.co.nz
ads@thesun.co.nznewsroom@thesun.co.nz
Youdon’tachieveabodymassindexlike minewithoutbeingaslavetocake.Seecake, wantcake,scoffcake.
Sowhen“warcake”croppedupinanAnzac discussion,theantennaetwitched,startedscanning, seeking,smelling…forcake.
Infact“warcake”isnot“warcake”,butthenit was.Forawhile.Theconfusionwasoverglobal calamities.“Warcake”issometimesknownas impossiblecake,crazycake,lazycake,whacky cake…or“depressioncake”.
“Depression”isright–whackyisright–acake madewithoutbutter,eggsormilk.Whybother? “Depressioncakeanyone?Nothankyou,Iam alreadyfeelingdown.”
Cakecanbedepressinganddeadly.Marie Antoinette,thelastFrenchQueen,infamouslysaid, ornoblydidn’tsay:“Qu’ilsmangentdelabrioche” –“letthemeatbrioche”,orcake,whentoldthe peasantswerestarving.Briocheiswayfancierthan bread.Butstyleaccountedfornothingandthey cutoffMarie’sheadforhercakeindiscretion.That’s depressing.
TheWeekendSunispublishedeveryFridayanddistributedthroughouttheWesternBay ofPlentyfromWaihiBeach,throughKatikati,Tauranga,MountMaunganui,Papamoa andTePukeandavailabletocollectatmanystandlocationsthroughoutthearea.For afulllistofstandlocationsseehttps://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations.htmlThe WeekendSunispartofNZME-NewZealandMedia&Entertainment.WekeepKiwisin theknow.Locallyproducedat405CameronRd,Tauranga
Editor: MerleCave Editorial: LetitiaAtkinson,AlishaEvans, RosalieLiddleCrawford,HunterWells,AylaYeomanTom Eley. PublicationsManager: KathySellars. Advertising: JoDelicata,SuzyKing,LoisNatta,SharonEyres. DesignStudio: KymJohnson,CaitlinBurns.
TheWeekendSunissubjectto NZMediaCouncilprocedures. First,emailyourcomplainttothe Editorat:newsroom@thesun.co.nz Ifnotsatisfiedorformoredetails, goto:mediacouncil.org.nz
evenifthey’rethesamething. That’swhenwegotthinking aboutotherwartimeofferings. Acrappie
LikeWooltonpie,namedfor thewartimeBritishMinisterof Food.Apieofrootveggiesand oats–butpeoplecouldn’tget theirheadsaroundapiedevoid ofmeat.Peoplehatedthe eponymousWooltonpie.That’s theman’slegacy–acrappie. Recipebookscontained,out ofnecessity,alotofvegetarian dishes.
Actuallywarcakehasitsoriginsinthe GreatDepression.ButKiwisdidn’tneed somehighfalutinEuropeanroyaltotell ustoeat“warcake”.Necessitybeingthe motherofinvention,inspiredchefscame upwithcreativesolutionstoshortages–likeadelicious,cheap,moistdairy-freeand veganchocolatecakewithoutthescarce butter,eggsandmilk.Youdidn’thaveto gowithout,youjusthadtocompromise.
‘Somethinginthetins’
Thereweremuchbiggerproblemsat thetime–theinvasionofPoland,Pearl Harbour,NipponcreepinginthePacific, Dunkirkandatomicbombs.ButNew Zealandwasabsorbedwithmaintaininga supplylineofmake-dochocolatecake. Afterall,eveninwar,therehadtobe ”somethinginthetins”–justincase AuntyRubyanduncledroppedinfora cuppaandafag.BeforetheJapanesedid. ThenduringWorldWarII–when essentialsweresiphonedofftosupport thewareffortabroad–DepressionCake wasre-popularised.Itwasprobablyone ofthefewgoodthingstocomeoutof war.Perhapsthen,itwarrantsbeing called“warcake”.Itgivesmeaningand gravitastoachocolatecakewithoutbutter, eggsormilk.Warcakesoundsstrong andassertive,“depressioncake”sounds submissive.I’dbuyone,butnottheother,
Thesewillhaveyouslavering –parsnipormockoystersoup, vegetariancornroast,lettuceandegg soup,mockheartsandcelerycustard. Whentherealthingwasunavailable, theymimickedthetasteandtextureby substitutingotherstuff.Mockchicken,for example,hadneverbeenwithinacluckof achickencoop.Itwasameat-freestuffing mixturemadetolooklikechicken.Why callitsomethingitwasn’t?Andcanyou imaginehankeringforamockfishand mockbananasandwich?Nuh!
Mockfishwasgground rice,milk,onionorleek, margarine,andseeasoning, cutintofishshappes,and deep-fried.Mmmm!
UncleJohn “Popularcreativve wartimecooking g ” remindedagood d friendofhis “UncleJohn”,a prisonerofwar chefwhojoined alargefamily holidayinthesouuth ofFrancejustafter thewar.Heassiggned himselftotheonne-man cookingdetailforthe durationwhichmmeant
everyoneate“POWfood”forafortnight. Likehissignaturedishofhard-boiledeggs andchoppedrawonionmixedtogether. Andinanareafamousforbouillabaisse andcassoulet.“Sacrebleu!”
AWorldWarIIcookbookauthor suggestedtherewasnoshameingiving upflesh-food.“Theycan’tbelabelled ‘vegetarian’theauthorreassuredredbloodedKiwimales.“They’rejust would-bemeat-eaterswhocan’taffordto eatmeat.”Ortherewasnomeat.
Extendingstuff Extendingfood,makingthingsgo further,testedcookingandmealplanning liketheWorldWarIIgrandparentswho’d makea“sausagestew”withjusttwo sausagestofeedafamilyofsix. Wartimecookingsuggestionsalways aimedatextractingthemostfromrations. Forexample–“Howtoextendbutter” whichinvolvedgelatineandtopmilk–non-homogenisedmilkwhichproduces greatglobsofyellowishcreamrisingto top.Feeltheaortaclogging?
O Or““ButterSSpreadthatLooks Convincing” ” butdoesn’tsound convinciing.
Th Think1/2lbofvegetablefat, fullcreammilkpowder,salt and d foodcolouring.Needs muust,Isuppose. A Andtherewastheoldfallback –sppam.“Spameggspamspam bacoonandspam.”Thewonderful MonttyPythonspamskitlater became e morefamousthanspam itself.Spam–processedpork inatin,highinsodiumand satuuratedfat.Socheckthis W WorldWarIIrationfavourite. “MMymumslicedspam, dipppeditinbatterandfriedit, madegreeatbutties,orasamealwith chips.”Breakoutthedefibrillator.Now. Please.
TheTaurikoWestproject–whichincludes anewfour-laneStateHighway29and wideningStateHighway29A–hasbeen giventhegreenlight.
Andonceopenit’salmostcertainthatthenew roadwillbetolledwhenitreachesphasetwoin 2028,TransportMinisterChrisBishopsaidat Tuesday’son-siteannouncement.“Therealityis roadshavetobepaidfor,”hesaid.
Newtollsbringforwardinvestmentthatmight bedelayedordeferreduntillater,butexacttolling willbedecidedfurther.“It’squiteacomplex formula.”
Itisuncertainhowlongthetollswillbeplacefor becauseongoingcostsuchasmaintenanceneed tobepaidforsomehow,Bishopsaid.“Sometimes peoplethinkyoubuildaroadandthenit’sjust open,andthenthere’snoongoingcost.”
BishopsaidtheWesternBayofPlentyisgrowing strongly,andtheGovernmentiscommitted tounlockingitspotential.“ThenewTauriko WestRoadofNationalSignificancewillsupport economicgrowth,increaseproductivityand connectivitytoBayofPlenty,andboosthousing andcommercialdevelopment.”
Thenewroadandupcomingresidential developmentwillallowTaurangaresidentstolive
closertotheirjobs,saidTaurangaCitycouncillor fortheTaurikoward,MartenRozeboom.Every morningandafternoon,peopletraveltowork, eventuallycloggingupSH29,Rozeboomsaid.
"Ifwecangetthiscleanedupandgetthisside moving,gethousesbuilthere,peoplecanthen decidedoIwanttoputupwiththecommute,or doIwanttobuildcloseclosertowork?Itisjust givingpeopleoptions.”
BishopsaidSH29andSH29Aweretheprimary inter-regionalandfreightconnectionsbetween Auckland,WaikatoandBayofPlenty–andthat thesestatehighwayswereessentialforgrowthand prosperityintheupperNorthIsland.”
TheNZTABoardhadnowendorsedthe investmentcaseforthenewTaurikoWestRONS, whichconsistsofafour-laneoffSH29from RedwoodInterchangetoTakitimuNorthLink interchange,designedtoaccommodatespeeds of110km/hr;wideningexistingSH29Afrom TakitimuDriveTollRoadtoBarkesCorner; sevenintersectionupgrades,includingthreenew interchangesandtwooverbridges;currentSH29 tobecomealocalroad;andboardsupportfor considerationoftollingsubjecttoministerial confirmation.NZTA’sBoardalsoapproved$97.2 millioninfundingforrouteprotection. *Readthisstoryinfullat:www.sunlive.co.nz
TomEley
Aselectionoflocalbreakingstories featuredthisweekon...
Theonlylocaldailynewssourceyouneed, constantlyupdated,sevendaysaweek www.sunlive.co.nz
Newstipsph 0800SUNLIVE
Poweroutage
Twodozenhomes inTaurangawere disconnectedfrom powersupply followingacrash.
Powercofaultcrews weredoor-knockinginandaroundSherwood StonTuesdaymorningfollowinganincident onMondayeveningwhereavehiclecollided withapowerpole.“Powerwasdisconnected tothe25properties,connectedtoaspecific transformer,toenablefaultcrewstocheck customers’meterboards,”saidaPowerco spokesperson.“It’sbelievedthatwhenthe powerlinescamedown,ahighvoltagepole line[thetoplinesonthepowerpole],may haveconnectedwiththelowvoltagepower linesbelow,affectingcustomersonthis transformer.Thesetypesoflineclashescan affectproperties’meterboardsandcustomers’ appliances.”
Rescuedhikers
TworescuesandadeathintheKaimai RangeonEasterweekendhaveprompteda warningfrompolice toprepareforthe worstbeforeheading outdoors.Thebody ofamanwhowent missingonApril19 inwaternearWairere Falls,northeastofMatamata,wasfoundby searchandrescuestaffonEasterSunday.
Policesaidinastatementtheman’sdeath wasunderinvestigation.
TwohikersspentGoodFridaynightinthe KaimaiRangeafterafloodedriverblocked theirexit.Thepublicwasaskedtoavoidrivers orstreamsastheycouldbedangerousdueto rapidcurrentsandhigh-waterlevels.
Newofficers AnewBayofPlentypoliceofficerhas foundhis“calling”aftergraduatingthisweek fromWing383inPorirua.ConstableEthan SempleisoneofsixBOPpolicegraduates who’llbedeployedtotheregiononApril28. ThreerecruitsaregoingtoTauranga,two toRotorua–includingSemple–andone toTūrangi.SemplealsoreceivedthePolice Commissioner’sawardforleadership.
Inapolicemediastatement,Semplesaid: “I’dalwaysfeltcalledtojoiningthepolice myselfbutfeltlikeIwasn’tready”.
Dairycompanyfined
Unlawfuleffluentdischargedescribedas “highlycareless”offendingbyaregional councillawyerhascostaWhakatānedairy farm$48,000.
NomarFarmsLimitedpleadedguiltytothe unlawfuldischargeatan81hapropertyon PowdrellRd,Whakatāne,whichisjointly ownedandoperatedbyBarryMcLeodand DonnaSergent.
EnvironmentCourtJudgeSheenaTepania’s sentencingdecisionsaidthefarmdischarge wasdiscoveredonNovember23,2023,bya councilcomplianceofficerduringaroutine inspection.
When John Clark tangled ith Hitler “…..-.--..--.-.--/-…...-.….-...--.-“ AMorsecodebirthdayblessingfor JohnDanielClark–becausethewartime RoyalNavysignalmanandtelegraphist’s secondlanguageisMorsecode.Hestill tapsit,speaksit,thinksit–even80 yearsafterthewar.Andnow,asheturns 100onAnzacDay,April25,thenew centenarianissalutedwith“ditsand dahs”.
“…..-.--..--.-.--/-…...-.-….-...-.-“HappyBirthday.
Forthreeyearsaboardthatbeastofa heavycruiser,the10,000-ton,70-gun HMSSuffolkduringthedarkdays ofWordWarII,itwasClark’sduty toshadowHitler–inawindowless
radiocabintrawlingforactiveMorse transmissionsfromenemyterritory,and totransmitcriticalmessagesonenemy troopmovementsandpositions,weather andtacticalorders
“Fourhourson,eightoff,roundthe clock.YoustartedthinkinginMorse,” saidtheLeadingSignalmanwhenThe WeekendSunvisitedlastweek.Probably dreaming,too,inMorse.Nowit’saparty piece.The100-year-oldcanstillchatter inMorse,mimickingaMorsekeyby clickinghistongueandlips.
“Dit-dit-dit-ditditdit-dah-dit-ditditda-dit-ditdah-dah-dah–hullo” Helikesthat,thinksit’sfunny.
Dreadful
Butdeathwasalwaysnear.Sometimes,
Photo/DavidHall
asClarkindicateswithhisfingers,“just thehalf-inchthicknessoftheplatesteel hull”away.TheSuffolkwasheadedto Gibraltarwhenitcameunderattack. “Dreadfulnoise.Youcouldhearand feeltheGermanDornier’sbigbombs explodingrightoutside.”Theymissed, butthe10,000-tonshipheavedand tossed.“Wewerereallyrocking.”
Whenhepickedupdistresscallsfrom strickenshipsthathadstruckmines orwereunderattack,hewouldlocate othervesselsthatcouldassist.Itwas demanding,exacting,crucialstuff.Lives dependedonshortandlongbeeps–dots anddashes.
TodayatClark’sArcadiaManorCare HomeinEdgecumbeRd,theearly sunwasbeamingthroughthelounge
WithAnzacDayuponustomorrow,April 25,Kiwisneedtoknowtheycansupport theworkoftheRoyalNewZealand ReturnedandServicesAssociation inmanyways.
YoucanjoinasamemberofalocalRSAandget involvedinyourcommunity.Oryoucanjointhe OnlineRSA–anemergingcommunityoflikemindedindividualswithveteransupportat itscore.
Ifyouhavefreetime,andarephysicallyable, reachouttoyourlocalRSAandletthemknow whatyoucandotohelp.Mowinglawns?Drivinga veterantoanappointment?Stackingfirewood?The giftofalittletimecanmeansomuchtosomeone inneed.
OryoucandonatetotheRSAat:https://rsa.org. nz/support-us/donate
“Weofferarangeofsupportincludingadviceand guidance,advocacyservicesandfinancialsupport toimproveaccessibilityinaccommodation,enable accesstomentalhealthservices,getmedical conditionstreated,andensurethatchildrenand whānauofthefallenandinjuredarelookedafter.
“Wealsoprovideassistancenavigatingservices availablethroughotheragencies.”
Since1990NewZealandhascreatedmorethan 60,500veteransofmilitaryservice,andthereare around140,000livingveteransacrossAotearoa. Tofindmore,visit:www.rsa.org.nz/about Howyoucan
Alovestory–theRoyalNavy’sJohnClarkandhisbrideGrace.
window,givinghimanaura.Uncanny,butnot inappropriateforalifelongdevoutChristianwho’d beenblessedwitha“beautifulandrich”hightenor voice,oftenheardsingingsacredpsalmsinthe AnglicanchurchesofEssex.
Clarkhadwatchedhisfather’sstrugglesafterbeing badlyinjuredintheBattleoftheSommeinWWI. “I’dseenenoughsuffering.I’dthinkofpoorsoldiers scramblingoutofthetrenchestomeetthefoe.I didn’twantanybayonetting.”
Soafresh-facedClarkvolunteeredfortheRoyal Navy,whichseizedonthisseacadet’ssignalling skills.HewasdeployedtoIcelandtojointhe Suffolkasitpatrolledthefiords–achoirboy pitchedintothemurderousturmoilofHitler’swar. Sheetofflame
“Iwaswalkingmessagesonthedeckwhenthe Suffolk’s8-inchgunswentoffrightbesideme.An enormous,deafeningroarandIwasswallowedup
Theleadingsignalman’smedalhaul.
bythisrollingsheetofflame.”
Hewasleftblackenedandchoking.The memory’svivid.Butheinsistshenever worriedorcared.“Never!”Eveninthecrazy coldoftheNorthAtlanticArcticCircle.“You neverthawed.Youjustkeptputtingonmoregear. Thecoldwasghastly,miserable.”Heshiversatthe thought.
“ButifyoukeeponagoodlinewithGod,hewill neverleaveorforsakeyou.”AndinClark’scase,He didn’t.In1946,aftertheAxispowerscapitulated, Clark’sfaithdeliveredhimsafelyhome.
The“jack”wouldthenswaphissailor’sAchilles capforthepoliceman’scustodianhelmeton London’sdocks.Thenhewouldswaponepolice force,andonecountry,foranother.
In1954Clark,hiswifeandtwodaughtersarrived inAucklandonedayandthenexthewaspatrolling notoriousKRoad.Thatwasaneye-opener.“Rough. Lotsofdrunks.”Lotsofsolicitingtoo.Hebecame theproselytisingpoliceman–“assignedtolookafter theSalliesastheyfoughtvicewithhymnsatone endofKRoad”.Hewouldthenmoveintosecurity work.
The100-year-oldcanstillchatterinMorse, mimickingaMorsekeybyclickinghis tongueandlips.
EnterGrace
Nowhe’ssittinghereinTauranga onthebrinkof100.Steelyblueeyes, analmost-flawlesscomplexion,not somuchasawrinkleandwhite, wavyhairpreenedtoanavalnicety. Hischestisdrippingwithmedals. Butwhat’stelltaleisthesparklygold bandonthefourthfingerofhisright hand.
Helosttwowivesbefore reconnectingwithGrace,who
hefirstmet60or70yearsago. Gracedecidedthe95-year-oldwas handsomeenoughto“goout”with andthenmarry.Grace’ssonmarried them.It’salovelylovestory.Of coursetheyholdhands,“haveagood kiss”andahug. JohnandGracewillbeatanAnzac Dayserviceonhisbirthday.The followingdaythere’safamily“fussmaking”forthecentenarian.
It’s never too early to tell your life story but it can easily become too late
Wemakeiteasyforyoutotransformaheadfullofmemories andaboxfullofphotosintoanenduringfamilyheirloom Preserveyourlifestoryforgenerationstocomeinanelegant legacybook
PacificLakesVillageissetamongsttranquilparklikegroundsandprivatelakes.Spaciousmodernvillasandterracehouses havebeendesignedtocreateavibrantcommunity,providinganidealsettingforyouractiveandindependentlifestyle.
Thevillage’smaincommunityfacility,ThePavilion,iscurrentlyunderconstruction.Positionedonthelakesedge,this impressivebuildingwillhouseaneatery,loungebar,library,artstudio,beautysalon,wellnesssuiteandextensiverecreational facilities.Experienceourcommunityfirst-hand-showhomeavailablebyappointment.
HunterWells
Teenager at war –RRoyal Navy signalman and telegraphistJohnClarkoffHMSSuffolk.
Photo/Supplied
Photo/DavidHall
Newculturaltouchpointson thewayforMauao Startinglatethismonth, additionalculturaltouchpoints andenhancementswillbeadded toMauao.
TaurangaCityCouncilsaidthe installationprocessisexpected totakeaboutfourweeks,and alltrackswillremainopenwith minimaldisruptiontothepublic.
“However,theremaybestop/ gotrafficmanagementincertain areastosafelytransportmaterials andvehiclestoeachinstallation site.”
TCCsaidtheupdateswill includeprotectivefencingatthe
pāsite,locatedatTeTihioMauao -thesummitofMauao;finishing touchestothetomokanga(entry posts)onboththeWaikorire (PilotBay)andHinekiteTakutai (MainBeach)sidesofthe maunga;twonewcurvedbenches alongTeAraMotukauri(4WD track);andanewcurvedbenchat thesummitlookout.
Thesefinalelementswill completetheMauaoPlacemaking Project,saidTCC. Formoreinformationaboutthe project,visitwww.tauranga.govt. nz/mauao.
Commemorationsacross thecityforAnzacDay TherewasastrongcommunityturnoutattheMountMaunganuiDawnServicein2024.
OMOKOROA Viewingbyappointment MangawhaiPlace,Omokoroa(ontheTaurangaHarbour)
www.lynleypark.co.nz info@lynleypark.co.nzP:027-477-1810
TaurangawillcommemorateAnzacDaythis Friday,April25,witheventsacrossthecity honouringthebraveryandsacrificeofNew Zealand’sservicemenandwomen.
ThePāpāmoaMemorialDawnServiceatthe PāpāmoaMemorial,atStellaPlacebeachcarpark, starts6am,withservicemenassembling5.30amat thecarparkingareafor5.55ammarch-off.
MountMaunganui’sDawnServicestarts6am atMountMaunganuiCenotaph,opposite MountDrury.Peoplecanassemble5.45amat MountDruryfor5.55ammarch-off.There’sa freeParkandRideonKawakaStandpeople cancatchthefreebustoMaunganuiRdbehind MountDruryReserve.Busesdepartfrom KawakaSt5am-5.50am.Returnbusesrun from6.15am-7.30am.TheMountMaunganui CivicMemorialServicestarts9.30amatMount MaunganuiCenotaph.Peoplecanassemblefrom 9.15amfora9.25ammarch-off.
PyesPā
PyesPāRemembranceServicestarts11amat PyesPāCemetery,403PyesPāRd;andTauranga MoanaTumatauengaAnzacCommemorations start5.45amatPoututerangiMarae,26PituaRd, TePuna.
Tauranga’sDawnServicestarts6amatTauranga RSACenotaph,1237CameronRd.Peoplecan assembleatHayesAvefrom5.45amfora5.55am march-off.
TheTaurangaCivicMemorialServicestarts9am atMemorialParkonEleventhAve.Theparade willassemble8.45ambesideQueenElizabeth YouthCentrefora8.55ammarch-off.
There’safreeParkandRideatTaurangaBoys’ CollegecarparktobustoMemorialPark.Buses departrightoutsidetheschoolfrom8am-8.40am. Returnbusesdepartstraightaftertheservicefrom thebusstopoutsidetheQueenElizabethYouth Centre.The9amservicewillbeinsideQueen
ElizabethYouthCentreifweatherispoor.There willberoadclosuresforTaurangaCivicMemorial andMountMaunganuiDawnservices.Formore informationvisitTaurangaCityCouncilwebsite. MayorMahéDrysdale,who’lldeliverthe welcomeattheTaurangaCivicService,saidAnzac Dayisameaningfulopportunityforreflection andunity.
“OnAnzacDay,communitiesaroundNew Zealandcometogethertohonourthosewho served,rememberthosewhomadetheultimate sacrifice,andacknowledgethecontributionsof ourreturnedandcurrentservicepersonnel.I encourageeveryonetoattendaserviceandpay tributetothosewhohaveservedandsacrificedfor ourcountry.”
FinalserviceatCameronRd
Thisyear’sTaurangaDawnServicewillhold specialsignificanceasTaurangaRSAhostsitsfinal serviceatitsCameronRdsitebeforerelocatingto combinewiththeMountMaunganuiRSA,said TaurangaRSAPresidentMortonAnderson.
“Since1918,theTaurangaRSAhasplayed avitalroleinsupportingreturnedservicemen andtheirfamilies,makingthisyear’sservicea significantmomentforthecommunity.”
TheTaurangaRSAhashosteddawnservicesat itspresentsitesince2009,andthisyear’sevent willfeatureaspecialaddress,participationfrom HMNZSTeMana,andsupportfromtheNZ DefenceForce’sHaurakiunit.
Anderson,whoserved21yearsintheNew ZealandNavy,saidit’simportanttokeepthe memoryalive“topayrespectstothosewho servedandthosewhonevermadeithome”.
“Theseeventsarenotjustaboutremembering history,they’reaboutensuringfuturegenerations understandthesacrificesmade.”
Tauranga’sJohnClark,aRoyalNavyWWII veteran,willmarkhis100thbirthdayonAnzac Day.ReadmoreaboutJohnonpages4-5.
Photo/SimonDawsonPhotography
Chiefs to pla at Ba O al TheGallagherChiefswill makehistorybyplayingtheir first-everSuperRugbyPacific gameattheBayOvalin MountMaunganuion AnzacDay.
Thismarksthefirsttimea SuperRugbyPacificfixturewill beheldatthevenue,whichhas traditionallyhostedcricket.
TheChiefswillfacethe WesternForceonFriday,April 25,at7.05pminRound11of theDHLSuperRugbyPacific competition.
TaurangaMayorMahé Drysdaleexpressedexcitement
abouttheevent,saying:“I’m excitedthatourcommunity willexperienceSuperRugbyin Taurangaforthefirsttimeinover 10years,inaugurallyattheiconic BayOval”.
“Welookforwardtowelcoming theGallagherChiefsandthe WesternForcetoourcityfor whatI’msurewillbeafantastic eveningofrugby.”
TheChiefsRugbyClubhas teamedupwiththeBayOval Trust,TaurangaCityCouncil, andticketingproviderFlicket tobringthismatchtolife.Bay Oval,knownforitsrelaxed cricketatmosphere,willoffer auniquebeachsidevibefor
rugbyfans.“It’sgreattobring SuperRugbybacktomyhome regionandknowthatourfans willappreciatetheopportunity toseetheteamplayintheir backyardatthispremieresports ground.”Chiefsheadcoach ClaytonMcMilliansaid.
Inadditiontothematch,the eventcoincideswithAnzac Day,featuringanAnzacservice supportedbytheRSAinMount MaunganuiandTauranga. NewZealandartistCassie Hendersonwillperformthe nationalanthemandentertain fansathalf-time. Ticketsareavailableat:chiefs. flicket.co.nz
TeManaakiCareCentreallowsPacificCoastVillagetoofferacomprehensiverangeofcare –fromindependentliving,servicedapartmentstoresidentialagedcare.TeManaakiisa continuationofthisconsidereddesign,craftedtoprovideresidentswithluxurylivingaswellas elevatedcareandwithitanaddedsenseofsecurityintheirlateryears.TheCareCentreoffers resthome,hospitallevelanddementiacare.
Photo/Supplied
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Muralist embarkson Japanese arts residency TaurangamuralartistSamAllenissetto leavehismarkonJapan–literally–witha large-scalemuralaspartofaninternational artsresidencyinthetownofNamegawa, SaitamaPrefecture.
The25-year-olddepartstoday,April24,fora 14-dayresidencyundertheCreativePowerGarage 101–PONDALIZEArtProject,acultural initiativebasedaboutanhourfromcentralTokyo. Theprogrammeinvitesinternationalartists tocollaboratewithlocalcommunitiesthrough immersiveartexperiences.
“WebelievethatSam’sartworkwillnot onlycontributetotherevitalisationofour communitybutalsoencouragethecreationof newrelationshipsandinspirefuturegenerations' culturalexpressions,”PONDALIZEArtProject artdirectorMiyukiKobayashisaid.
“Hisworkwilldelveintothespiritcherished byourancestorsandcarryitforwardintofuture activities.”
Pondwater Allen’smuralwillbeinspiredby‘POND Culture’–atributetotraditionalricecultivation methodssustainedbypondwaterintheregion. “OnceIgoaroundthecommunityI’lldecide onadesign,”Allensaid.“I’llalsobevisiting museumsinTokyoandnearbyareastogather ideas.”
Theartist,whoappliedonline,said accommodationandmealsareprovidedaspart oftheresidency.Hismuralwillcoveranarea roughlythesizeofatwo-storeybuilding.
“Ifeelreallygoodaboutgoing,”hesaid. Launchedin2020,thePONDALIZEArt Projectwasfoundedbyacollectiveof10artists andresearchers.Ithassincegrownintoahub forculturalexchange,blendingart,heritage,and environmentalconsciousnessthroughshared living,creativeprojects,andexhibitions.
Extraordinary AllenhasbeenaresidentartistatTauranga’s IncubatorCreativeHubsincehewas19,after beingmentoredbyBolivianartistPabloRiaz duringaninternationalresidency.
“Sincethen,Samhasbeenanintegralpartof theCreativeHub,”saidIncubatorCreativeHub directorSimoneAnderson.
“Asaself-taughtartisthehassteadfastlyhoned
hiscraftanddevelopedadeepconnectionwith thelocalcommunity.
“Sam’sjourneywithushasbeennothingshortof extraordinaryandtheperfectexampleofhowan earlymentorshipcansparkmotivationandgive thetoolsforartiststoself-developandgrow.”
Withmorethan30publicartworkstohisname acrossNewZealand,Botswana,Namibia,and Australia,Allenisnostrangertotravellingwithhis brushes.Hesaidhisjourneywon’tendinJapan.
“Idon’thaveareturndateyet,”hesaid.
“I’llkeeptravellingaroundAsia–Koreaandother places–andhopetocontinuepaintingmurals alongtheway.”
Thoughhisdepartureisbittersweet,Anderson saidtheteamattheIncubatorisproudofhisnext step.“Whilewe’resadtoseehimgo,we’reexcited toseehowhisnextadventureunfolds.Hislegacy willcontinuetoinspiremanyyoungpeople,and welookforwardtoseeinghowheinjectshisspirit intothePONDALIZEproject.”
What’sYourPropertyWorth? Callmeforyour free, noobligationMarketAppraisal Nopressure,andit’sgoodtoknow thevalueofyourproperty.
I’llkeepyouupdatedfromtimetotime asthemarketchanges.
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Tauranga’sSamAllenleavestoday,April24,foranartsresidencyinJapan. Photo/Supplied
RosalieLiddleCrawford
essay competition Theessayquestionwas: Alarmisrisingaboutfallingbirthrates inNewZealandandthroughoutmostoftheworld With57,006 births1 , anabortiondeathtollof16,277(in20232)andrising, and onlythreenon-kinadoptionsin20243 , whatarethe long-termimplicationsandpossiblesolutionsforNewZealand?
1IntheyearendingJune2024. 2AbortionServicesAotearoaNewZealandAnnualReport2024 3OrangaTamariki.
ThelatestEssayCompetition sponsoredbyOpenAdoption ontheFallingBirthratesin NZandtheworldgenerated scores of brilliant essays
Open adoption is the most favourable option for women who arepregnant andunable to lookafter their children
frommanyperspectives.The winningessayscanberead onopenadoption.org.nz,but herearesomesnippetsofthe various insights:
As we are made in God’s image, we are living souls and our lives shouldn’t be ended sooner than when Godtakes away our life’s breath JB, 14
One very obvious and alarming reason for the birthrate showing an evident decline, is the increase in abortions seen in New Zealand
In 2019 there were 12 587 abortions,
This is heartbreaking
References
babies were given the chance to live, this would dramatically increase the necessary value of 2 1 (the replacement rate) AB
[1]J; C Replacementlevelfertiityandfuturepopuationgrow h Popuationtrends Avaiableat https://pubmedncbinm.nihgov/7834459/#: text Indeveloped countries repacement evel needtobemuchhigher (Accessed 27March2025)
[2]Kenny K (2024)Fewerbirths anoderpopulation,doesitmatter?whatyouneedtoknow RNZ Availableat:https://wwwrnzconz/news/what-you-need-toknow/509980/fewer-births-an-older-population-does-it-matter-what-you-need-to-know(Accessed 27March2025)
[3] GeneralAbortionRateinNewZealand(nodate)FigureNZ Availabeat https://figure.nz/chart/ZWtChT4SBLhmoHsB(Accessed 28March2025)
My husband and I have raised two children through open adoption
Because of open adoption, both children have grown up with strong connections to their biological families Placing their babies for adoption allowed their mothers to mature without the heavy responsibilities of solo parenting
Today, both women are in stable relationships and have had other children, while the biological fathers have also gone on to create families SK or s brillian es i u gh
The falling birthrate, along with a steady rise in abortions and incredibly low non-kin adoption numbers all imply a falling away from the acceptance and embrace of children as a fundamental aspect of life What this means for us as a nation is that we have failed to treasure and uphold the value of life We have forsaken the fulfilment of not only our most primal, but arguably also our most spiritually significant endeavour - the raising up of the next generation SA
A wildscavengerhunt b bike! The2025GreatKValleyCycleAdventure onApril27isthefifthtimethescavenger hunt on t o heels takes place but this ear
huntontwowheelstakesplacebutthisyear itasksparticipantstodressuptoexplore NZ’slargesturbanwetlandrestoration. Thinkscavengerhunt,mapreadingandpuzzlesolvingbybikeasyouandyourfamilyandfriends explorethetrailsofKōpūrereruaValleyinthe heartofTauranga.
AnitaandChrisCummingsandtheirchildren Ashton,nine,andFletcher,seven,arelooking forwardtotheevent,whichisorganisedby TaurangaSunriseRotary.“LastAprilwhenwedid theRotaryGreatKValleyride,weenteredwith anotherfamilyandrodeittogether,”Anitasaid.
Shesaidthetrail,whichiscompletelyflat,had allagesridingit.“Ourkidsenjoycruisingalong downthevalley.It’sniceandflatforyoungkids.”
‘KValley’ispackedwithhistory,wildlifeand greatcyclingandwalkingtrails,aswellassitesof significancetoNgāiTamarāwaho.
Littleadventure “Thescavengerhunthadactivitiesalongtheway, likethrowingwaterballoonsandeggswithout poppingthem,”saidAnita.
“Itwasalittleadventurethroughthevalleyto completethehuntwithfunactivitiesforthekids alongtheway.OurkidswonaMāoriAllBlacks shirtatthespotprizesatthefinishtoo.”
“Thisyearwehaveprizesforthebestcostumed team,”saidTaurangaSunriseRotarymember MicheleBeaton.
Thedressthemefor2025is‘Wildlife’,Beaton said.“Soletyourimaginationgowild.But keepingsafetyinmindtoo.”
Shesaidparticipantswillenjoy“crazy”games alongtheway.“Andlookoutforthefriendly SwampMonster.Extrapointswillbeawardedif
youcanguesshisorheridentity.”Lastyearformer mayorGregBrownlessdonnedaghilliesuit, becoming ‘Swampie’thefriendly Swamp Monster.
gp yp
Essentiallyascavengerhuntbybike,alltasks carrypoints,aswillthedressupcompetitionthat hasbeenaddedthisyear.
Helpingrestore In2023,morethan200cycliststookon theadventure.In2024,morethan40teams competed,withfourtosixpeopleperteam.
“TheeventisorganisedbyourRotaryClubof TaurangaSunriseclub’senvironmentgroupand isaimedatraisingawarenessofthehistorical, ecological,carbon-sinkandrecreationalvalue ofthisamazingreserve,thelargesturban wetlandreserveinNewZealandandpossiblyin Australasia,”Beatonsaid.
“There’salsoafundraisingsidetothis,though becausewekeepticketpriceslowtomakesurethe eventisaccessibletomost,amountsraisedhave notbeenhuge.”
Inpreviousyears,fundsraisedhavegonetothe GraemeDingleFoundation.“In2025,we’llput whatweraisetowardstheKōpūrereruaValley RotaryCentennialTrust’sannualplantingof thousandsofnativeplants,”Beatonsaid.
“You’llbehelpingrestorethevalley’soriginal vegetationandthehabitatofournativebirds, fishandotherwildlifeaswellasavaluablecarbon sink.”
Ticketsare$40forateamofuptosixpeople. Beatonsaidonthedayteamscansigninandstart theirhuntanytimebetween10amandnoonon April27,atthe17thAveentrancetoKōpūrererua Valley.“Youneedtofinishby2pmandprizegiving willbegin2.30pm,”Beatonsaid.
ToregisterfortheGreatKValleyCycle Adventure,visit:https://events.humanitix.com/kvalley-cycle RosalieLiddleCrawford
Ashton, nine, Anita, Fletcher, sevem, and Chris Cummings Photo / Brydie Thompson
Fellowship over airwaves “IfIdie,it’llbetheirfaultbecausetheywill havestoppedplayingmykindofmusic,” saidthefeistyandfunny96-year-old.She’s kindofjoking,butnot.
Eitherway,theybetterstickanotherFrank SinatraorJimReevestrackontheturntabledown atVillageRadio.
“Whispertome,tellmedoyoulovemetrue.”
That’sincorrigibleValCorston’spoison–her kindofmusic,herstation.
“OrisheholdingyouthewayIdo.”
“Itkeepsmealive,”saidtheTauranga nonagenarian.Andthat’swhyVillageRadioneeds recruits,newannouncers,newtonsils.Tocontinue theimportantworkoffillingdeep,emptyspaces inpeoples’lives.
“[There’s]LotsoflistenerslikeValoutthere,” saidVillageRadio’sKenWadsworth.“Older,alone andwearetheircompany,perhapstheironly company.Theylistendawntodusk.”
Theradiostationneedsthreenewannouncers totakeownershipofthatproblem.Thejobspecs
arebasic.“Justaninterestinmusicreally.Wewill trainthem,”saidWadsworth.
Val’sloveofVillageRadioistestamenttothe responsibilitytherecruitswillhave.
“VillageRadiogoesonat8ameverydayofevery week,moreorlesssinceitstarted.Anditgoesoff at5pm.It’smylife,it’swhatIlove.”
Bubblyandbeaming
“Thoughloveisblind,makeupyourmind,I’ve gottoknow,” croonedawarmandforeverfamiliar baritonefromaverydatedsoundstackinthe loungeofVal’s15thAvehome.
Butitstilldelivers,stillbeltsoutJimReeves, BingCrosby,OldBlueEyesandNatKingCole. Thedead-setfavourites.Ninehoursaday. Momentsearlier,whenTheWeekendSun bangedonVal’sdoor,theradiowasgoing.Of courseitwas.AndthemuffledtonesofMichael Cox’s‘AngelaJones’werefilteringout.Wewere expectingadodderynonagenariantoshuffleout. Butthenabubbly,beaming,preened-to-a-TMrs Corstonburstthroughthescreendoors.Noshe wasn’tMrsCorsten,justVal.
Duringherteens,attheendofthewar,allthe bigbandswerethecraze.Think‘IntheMood’by theGlennMillerOrchestraandthelike.“Andwe dancedanddancedanddanced,”shesaid. Wonderful,stylish,romantictimes.Andthey liveon.BecausewhenVillageRadioplaysAnne Murray’s‘CanIHaveThisDance?’itsetsher gliding,dancingandsingingaroundthelounge–dicky96-year-oldlegsandall.No–shewouldn’t showus.Becausewemightthinkshe’snuts.By herownadmissionshe’s“wicked”,butbyour calculationshe’sboisterous,cheekyandfunny andextraordinary.Notwhatwewereexpectingat all.“Idon’tfeelextraordinary.”
‘They’realllovely’
Wedidsomenumber-crunchingonVal’s listeningpatterns.“VillageRadiohadbeenon airforabouttwoweekswhensomeonetoldme Ishouldbelistening.”Theycameandtunedher oldradiotothestationandithasn’tbeentuned outsince.
So,everyhourofeverydayfor41years–more orless.Thatmakes14,965daysand134,685 hoursoflistening–moreorless.Anynew announceratVillageRadiohasimportantwork todotorewardthatcommitmentandloyalty. It’scharitablework,it’sfreework.Butthere mightbeaslabofsultanacakeinitforthe successfulannouncercandidates.“They’reall lovely,”saidValoftheon-aircrewatVillage.“So Imakethemasultanacake.Thenthreeandahalf dayslaterImakeanothersultanacakeforthose whomighthavemissedout.”
Butno!Shecertainlywon’tplayfavourites;she won’tnameherpreferredVillagevoice.“Because they’realllovely.”
I’mmiserable
Thensheletsherguardslip,andsonooneelse canhear,whispers‘Ken’–KenWadsworth.“Cos heplaysallthestuffIlove,hestartswithabang, asignaturetuneandthenit’snothingyoucould sayyoudidn’tlike.”
Andrightnowthatfacelessvoiceontheradio isactuallyahumanfaceintheroom,theman inVal’slounge.It’salovely,warmconnection betweentheradiomanandthelistener.“Well,” saidKen.“IquitelikeValtoo.”Andenoughto popinforafternoonteaandachataboutradio andmusicandstuff.
AndenoughthatwhenKenplayssomething onairthatValparticularlylikes,shewillring andthankhim.“Weencourageit.There’sa connectionforthem,”saidtheradioman.
SowhatdoesValdointheeveningsafter VillageRadiosignsoff?“Iammiserable.Iwishit wouldgoallnight.Iwouldlovetohaveitbymy earasIamtryingtogotosleep.”
Ifyou’dliketokeepValcompanyover theairwaves,giveKenWadsworthacallon 0274744441,oremailhimat:julieandken@xtra. co.nzorcallVillageRadioon075713710.
CanyoubelievethatwhenValwaslittleshe wasn’tallowedtolistentoukelele-playingGeorge Formbybecauseofhis“rudeandnaughty”lyrics?
“IfyoucouldseewhatIcanseewhenI’mcleaning windows.” Shocking!
Salvad’orItalianRestaurant& Pizzeriaisfurnishedwithantique ornamentsevokingpleasant memoriesofanothertime. Localshavebeenenjoying MediterraneanandEuropean specialitiessince2013atSalvad’or. Personalisedmenuforadults andchildren.Idealforyourwinter andsummertimedineinand takeawayevenings.
LoveableLucas Lucasisa17-week-oldStaffy-cross pupwithacutenaturallyshorttail. Heisagentleandsnugglyboywitha lovelybalancedpersonalityofplayful andcruisy.
Helovespeopleofallagesandcould probablylearntolivewithacat.Hehas experiencelivingwithkidsandother dogs.
Heis99%house-trainedandsleeps throughallnightinhiscrate. He’ssoreadyforaplacetocallhome
w t with!Applyat:https://rrr.org.nz/home/ adopt-canine/
with a loving family to continue his training,socialisationandhavefun with! Apply at: https://rrr org nz/home/
PLANNINGYOUR HOLIDAYINFRANCE? VOULEZ-VOUS Oui?Alors... LEARNFRENCH
Classesalllevelsfrom28th April SessionsinTauranga, TePuna,Mount&Katikati
Tamatū,tamaora! Thosewhoact,thrive!
Heitiihoitewiki kotahietoeanae katiai tepōtimōte pōtitangaā-rohe oTeAwanuiWard. Kiawhaimanatō pōtimātetukui āupepapōtikua whakakīakitētahio ngāipukarakaputa noaitetāoneimuai terānuiote Tūrei, 29oAperira
Rapuateipupōti karakaetataana kiakoeitāmātou paetukutuku.
Lessthanaweekto gountilvotingfor the TeAwanuiWard by-election closes. Makeyourvote countbydropping yourcompleted votingpapersin oneofthe orange votingbins across thecitybymidday Tuesday,29April.
Tofindyour nearestorange votingbin,headto tauranga.govt.nz
Thelipsandtheears–VillageRadioannouncerKenWadsworthdoinghousecallsforhisgreatest admirer,ValCorston. Photos/BrydieThompson
HunterWells
Yournew kerbside collections calendars Liketostayontopofyourcollections withacalendar?Youcancheckthe addresslabelonyourbinstoseeifyou’re Week1orWeek2,thencutoutyour calendarandstickitsomewherehandy.
Prefertotrackcollectionsonyourphone? DownloadtheTaurangakerbside collectionsappforfreefromthe AppStore,GooglePlayorvisit tauranga.govt.nz/binsapp
Rubbish,recycling,glass recyclingandfoodscraps collections
Taurangagardenwastecollectioncalendar 2025/2026(Week2)
Gardenwastecollections
Addgardenwasteand sendevenlesstolandfill
Signingupforgardenwastemeanswe cangiveyourgardenwasteasecondlife ascompost.
4-weeklyandfortnightlycollectionoptions. Findoutmoreat tauranga.govt.nz/gardenwaste
CollectionsthatwouldnormallytakeplaceonJanuary1-3willbeoneday laterduetoNewYear’sDaypublicholiday.Nochangestocollectionsonall otherpublicholidays.
Soon‘super-sizedd’grannyfflatswon’tneed d consents The Coalition Government willdomoretomakeit easiertobuildgrannyflats, byincreasingthemaximum non-consentedsizethatcan bebuiltto70m2.
RMAReformandHousing MinisterChrisBishop,Associate FinanceMinisterShaneJones andBuildingandConstruction MinisterChrisPenkannounced thenewsearlythismonthafter receiving1970submissionsfrom
public consultations between Juneand d Augustonapllantoup grannyflatsizesto60m2.
“It’scurrentlyfartoohard tobuildthehomesNew Zealandersneed,witheventhe simplestdwellingstanglingup homeownersandbuildersinred tape,”Bishopsaid.
“That’sabigpartofthereason whywe’rereplacingtheResource ManagementActwithnew lawsbasedonpropertyrights. Atpresent,peoplewhowant tobuildasimplestandalone
dwellingontheirproperties needabuildingconsentunder theBuildingAct.Inmanycases, aresourceconsentunderthe RMAisrequiredaswell.These processesarecomplicated,timeconsuming,andcostly.”
Bishopsaidlastyearthe Governmentconsultedon allowinggrannyflatsofup to60m2tobebuiltwithout buildingorresourceconsents.
Hugesupport
“Theproposalreceivedhuge support,andasaresultthe Governmenthasagreedtogo evenfurtherbyincreasingthe maximumsizeto70m2.
“AnewNational EnvironmentalStandardunder theRMAwillbedevelopedand inplacebytheendofthisyear togiveeffecttoourproposals, timedtotakeeffectwithchanges totheBuildingAct.
“ThisNESwillrequireall councilstopermitagrannyflat onsitesinruralandresidential
High-endfinishesatcompetitiveprices Ifyourbathroomneedsarefresh,remodel, totalrenovationorsmallrepair,callon BWBuilderstoday!
BWBuildersisasmall,professionalteamthat achieveshigh-endfinishesatcompetitiveprices.
Ownedandoperatedbyhusband-and-wifeteam BrianWilliamsandTanyaNolan,BWBuilders hasspecialisedinbathroomrenovationsforthe last12years.
Theyofferaffordableandcost-effectivesolutions –Williamsisalicensedbuildingpractitionerand usesexperiencedandskilledcontractors.
Hecancompleteallyourrenovationand buildingworksalongwithyournewkitchen renovations.“Brian’sbooksarenowopenagain forallyourbuildingrequirements,general maintenance,repairsandallthosesmalljobsthat youhaveneverquitegottoorhaveonlygiven ‘band-aid’repairsinthepast.
“Asowner-operatorswe’reabletokeepourcosts
downbecausewedon’thavealltheoverheadsof largercompanies,”saidNolan.“Soyouarejust payingforthelabourandmaterialscostsofthejob. “Wealsooffertransparentanddetailed estimatesonalljobs.”
zoneswithouttheneedtogaina resourceconsent.”
Penksaidremovingregulatory barriersandtakingacommonsense approachtotheconsentingsystem “isacriticalpartofincreasing housingsupplyforKiwis”.
TheGovernmentwillintroducean amendmenttotheBuildingActmid-
year,whichwillexemptgrannyflats fromneedingabuildingconsentif:
•Thegrannyflathasasimple designandmeetstheBuildingCode
•Buildingworkiscarriedoutby authorisedbuildingprofessionals
•Homeownersnotifytheirlocal councilbeforetheycommence buildingandonceitiscompleted.
Independentresidentialbuildinginspectionsandreports. Weathertightinspectionsalsoavailableformonolithic-cladproperties, suitableforlendingpurposes
Contactusforafree,noobligationquote: 02041670013 confidencebuildinginspections@gmail.com confidencebuildinginspections.co.nz
Husband-and-wifeteamBrianWilliamsand TanyaNolanrunBWBuilders. Photo/BrydieThompson
Anewbenchtopandsplashbackinyourkitchen,bathroomor laundry,willaddvaluetoyourhome. BayofPlenty’sleadingmanufacturerandretailerofhigh-pressurelaminate (Formica)andacrylicsolidsurfacebenchtopsandsplashbackscancreatea freshnewlookthatwillhelptransformyourhomeformanyyearstocome.
Dontknowwheretostart?
DownloadourFREEGuidetoYourNewSurfaces. www.simplysurfaces.co.nz/free-guide/ Callnow,visitourshowroom,orgoonlinetoarrangeyour FREEmeasureandquote.
Anonlinehub–calledDesign.Resilience.NZ –haslaunchedtomakeit easiertobuildmoreresilient homesandbuildingsthat helpcommunitiesbounce backfromnaturalhazard eventssooner.
Thehubisainitiativebetween theNaturalHazardsCommission, theBuildingResearchAssociation ofNZ,MinistryofBusiness, InnovationandEmploymentand NZ’stechnicalsocieties.
NHCprincipaladvisorfor resilientbuildings,CalebDunne, saidtheonlinehub–athttps:// design.resilience.nz–hasguidance forarchitects,engineersandothers intheconstructionindustry onhowtobuildsustainable homesthatgobeyondthebasic requirementssetoutinNZ’s buildingcode.“Buildingsthatmeet codearesafe,buttheymightnot performaswellaspeopleexpectin anearthquake,”Dunnesaid.
Expectmore Thebuildingcodefocuseson lifesafety,sobuildingsthatmeet codearen’tlikelytocollapseor causeinjuryordeath.However, newNHC-fundedresearchshows Kiwisexpectmorethanlifesafety
fromtheirbuildings,Dunnesaid. TheResilientBuildingsProject foundpeoplealsoexpecttobeable toshelterinplaceandhaveaccess tocriticalserviceslikehospitals followinganearthquake.
“Codeminimumbuildingsmay notaccomplishthis,whichiswhy wesupportdesignthatexceeds code,”saidDunne.
Misunderstanding
Veryfewnewbuildsexceedcode, andDunneputsthisdowntoa misunderstandingaboutthecost benefitofresilientdesign,anda lackofincentivetodoso.
“Thegoodnewsisthatexceeding codeminimumdoesn’thaveto breakthebank.”
FurtherNHC-fundedresearch
Tauranga’sliftingandshiftingsolutions manhasanewbusinessname–buthe’s stillfocusedonprovidingthesametrusted servicehe’swell-knownfor.
PeteMarshall’steam,whobroughtyouSkyHooks Tauranga,isnowcalledMarshallMiniCranes. Withdecadesofhands-onexperiencein engineeringandcertifiedweldinginspection,Pete bringstechnicalexpertisetoeveryproject.
“Whilethenamehaschanged,customerscan stillexpecttoreceivethesamecommitmentto providingsmall-liftingsolutions,”saidPete,whois safety-accreditedandhas20-plusyears’experience workingonsiteslargeandsmall,meaninghis
showsthecostofincorporating moreresilientdesigns–so buildingscanbereadilyoccupied afteranearthquake–areminimal. “Forabitmoremoney,wecan getmuchbetteroutcomesfor ourbuildingsthatmeansthey experiencelessdamageinamajor event,leadingtolessdisruption topeoples’livesandlivelihoods. “Peoplewouldbeabletoshelter inplaceandshopswouldbeopen forbusinessfaster.Itwouldmean wholecommunitiesareableto recovermuchmorequickly.”
Dunneencouragedanyone workingonabuildingtovisit Design.Resilience.NZ.“Welive inahazard-pronecountry,soabit moreinvestmentup-frontcanpay offmassivelyinthelongrun.”
PeteMarshallandhisbusinessMarshallMini Cranesisreadytoshiftandliftyouritems. Photo/Supplied
‘moving’skillsextendtoalltypesofplaces.
“We’restillthesamepeople,runningthesame reliableservice–justwithanewlookandname thatbetterreflectsourindustrybackgroundand reputation.”
Husband-and-wifeteamPeteandLyndasaid theirserviceisidealfortransportingitemstoo hardformanpowerandtoosmallforlargercranes. “Thismakesuscost-effectiveforbusinessesandthe public’slifting,placement,pick-upanddelivery jobs.”
So,ifyouneedsomethingheavyliftedorshifted, MarshallMiniCranescangetthejobdonewhere regular,largerequipmentsimplycan’tgo.“We candoliftingandshiftingjobsonresidential, commercial,industrialandagriculturalsiteswith ourminicraneandtandemtrailer.
“Andwe’reproudtocontinuedeliveringthe sameexceptionalresultsthatourcurrentandnew customerbasecanexpect,ensuringthatyournext liftissimple,safe,andstress-free!”
Needalift?CallPetetodayon021848919.
College’s transformati e reno ation College’stransformative renovation ŌtūmoetaiCollegeisundergoingamajor transformationtomodernisefacilitiesto meetevolvingstudentneeds.
Theprojectseekstoreshapethecollege’sphysical landscapetosupportagrowingstudentpopulation andenhanceeducationalexperience,principal RussellGordonsaid.
Duringthepast60years,ŌtūmoetaiCollege hascontinuouslyadapted,withnewbuildingsand improvementsdesignedtoreflectbothitschanging needsandthecommunityitserves.
Amajormilestonecamein2018,whenthe Governmentannounceda$47millioninvestment toredevelop57teachingspaces,thelibrary,andthe mainentrance.
However,in2023,theredevelopmentwas significantlyrevised,primarilyduetounderlying stabilityissuesaffectingpartsoftheschoolsite, Gordonsaid.Ratherthanafullrebuild,theMinistry ofEducationpivotedtoathree-stagerefurbishment. Oldestinschool
Stage1Abeganwithconstructionofthree newclassrooms,whichopenedin2025.“These classroomsweretheoldestintheschoolandneeded toberetired,”Gordonsaid.
“TheMinistryapprovedtwonewclassroomsfor theschoolinAugust2024withtheschoolboard
investing$1.5milliontoaddathirdclassroomthat alsoencompassedawharekai(kitchen)inaccordance withourKaumatua,TumatawhaPirihana’swishes.”
Stage1Bisthecurrentrefurbishmentofthe administrationblock,whichhadashortageof meetingrooms,Gordonsaid.“However,by redesigningthebuildingwithinitsexistingfootprint, we’llsoongainthreeadditionalmeetingspaces,a significantlyimprovedpastoralareathatisboth privateandvisuallyconnected,andenhanced communityaccesstotheschoolhall.”
Stage2willconstructanew10-classroom blockneartheActionCentre,from2025-2026. ConstructionistobegininNovemberandtake aboutayear.
Stage3from2027-2029willfocusonrefurbishing thecollege’sfourNelsonBlocks,whichwereinitially plannedfordemolition.Instead,eachblockwill undergorefurbishmentlastingaboutninemonths. “Duringtheserenovations,classesfromeach blockwillbetemporarilyrelocatedintothenewly constructed10-classroomblockandexistingprefab classroomsonthecollegefield,”Gordonsaid.
2100students UponcompletionofStage3,allprefabclassrooms onthefieldandtwoadditionalprefabclassroomson thecollegesitewillberemoved,andtheschoolwill beabletoaccommodateupto2100students.
MaongaTeRukuGallagherHarrison,15,ParepaoraFalwasser-Kipa,16,andCaylah-marieTapara,16, inoneofthenewclassrooms. Photo/BrydieThompson
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New-old d andnew-newmusic Alotofnewmusicisbeingreleased, andabunchofoldmusic–today wehaveboth.
NigelMasters,BoatshedStudio boss,Kokomobassplayerandmultiinstrumentalist,hasjustreturnedfrom Katoomba,Australia,wherehewas launchinganewalbum,witholdfriends andanex-SplitEnzer.
‘You’reInLuck’isbyThe Masses,whoareNigeland StephenBradley,onceof Tauranga,nowofSydney, thoughwithfamilyhere. Stephenwritesandsings whileNigeldoesprettymuch everythingelse.I’dcallit slightlyesotericelectro-pop. WhatIfindasappealingas themusicisthatthisstems fromalifelongfriendship. IncreasinglyIrealisehowrare suchthingsare.
Fearsomereputation SoNigelheadedtoOzwithhisguitar andaharddrivecontainingmanylayers ofkeyboards,backingtobeplayedatthe launchoncomputer.‘Guest’Masseswere HowardJames,onceThePuppetzbass player,andSplitEnzoriginaldrummer MalcolmGreen. Allthreealbumsarenowavailable digitally,withastackofvideoson YouTube.
Buttheband...theyaresimplyfantastic. Thisisdefinitelyanartifactofitsage withextendedproggysolos–oftenin harmony–andsomeofthelongest drumfillsinhistory.It’sbothsillyand magnificent,withatouchofSteelyDan–on‘BigLadies’–ELP,Doobiesandmore. TheCDaddseightextratracksand managestogetmanyofthecredits wrong.Itmakesmeveryhappy.
StephenfirstmetNigelplayingprimary schoolcricket.HestillremembersNigel’s fearsomereputationas“theDennisLillee ofTaurangaunder-10bowling”.Later theywenttoŌtūmoetaiCollege, thenatVictoriaUniversityStephen becamethe“lightingguy”forNigel’s new-wavebandThePuppetz.Now after50yearsthey’restillmakingmusic together.
TheMassesdebutalbum‘ARelative Fact’camein1995;‘WhoAreWe?’ followedin1998.Morethantwodecades laterStephenwasmakingregulartrips toNewZealandandthepairresumed work,firstlyonepiceight-minutesingle ‘Finland’thenthenewalbum.
Andanoldalbum featuringmercurial Taurangastalwart RitchiePicketthas finallybeenreissued onCDandvinyl. Thinkwasa1970s prog-rockband frontedbyRotorua singer-bassplayer AllanBadger.Also ontheirsolealbum, ‘We’llGiveYouABuzz’,aredrummer NevilleJess,keyboardplayerDonMills, andguitaristPhilWhitehead.Ritchieis creditedwithleadvocals,FXandeffects. Inreality,hemainlysingsharmonyandI havenoideawhattheFXandeffectsare!
‘VikingTheGreat’ HearWinston’s LatestPlaylist ScantheQRcode,orvisit:
www.tinyurl.com/ypknmwtu
Mountcurlingis on! Lookingforsomethingfunandalittledifferent todotheseschoolholidays?
HeaddowntoTePapaoNgāManuPorotakataka atMountMaunganuionThursday,April24, whereyoucangivecurlingago—noexperience needed!
Running from 10am-5pm, this free event is opentoallages,makingittheperfectoutingfor families,friends,or groupslooking forabitof
There’salsoaTaurangabandI completelymissedlastyear.Over Sharinisafive-piececomprising singer-songwriter-guitaristWayne Lambert,drummerAmyHill, bassistMikeShorter,Darren WoodwardandDonAcklandon guitar.Theirlatest singleisMarch’s ‘VikingTheGreat’. Alsonew,the firstsinglefrom recentTauranga visitors,Whanganui blues-rockband BB&TheBullets. ‘SomethingInThe Water’isatough outingfeaturing excellentguitarand asolidgroove.With thebandsignedto France’sDixieFrog labeloneimaginesbig thingsahead. gpg friendlycompetitionandbanter. Theactivityissuitableforchildrenagedsevenplus.Playerscompeteontheirowndedicated lanes.
ServiceforGatePābattle
TheAnglicanParishofGatePāinvitesthe communitytoashortserviceonApril29to markthe161stanniversaryoftheBattleof Pukehinahina-GatePā.
OrganiserCliffSimonssaidthe4pmserviceisto commemoratethebattle.
“Wewanttorememberallthosewhofought anddiedinthistragicevent,toreflectonthe consequencesofthemilitaryengagementsfor ngāiwioTaurangaMoanaandtoconsiderthe significanceofthiswholestoryforusasacity today.”
Theservice’sstarttimeof4pmiswhentheBritish forcesbegantheirassaultonPukehinahina-GatePā 161yearsago,saidSimons.
BB&TheBullets. Photo/Supplied
TheMasses. Photo/Supplied
Canyouhandletheheat? Whilemostofushave beenchowingdownon chocolateandhotcross buns,Tauranga’sShannon Leighhasaddedhotsauce, chillipowderorflakesto hisdietsohecanhandle theheatthisweekend.
Theformernationalchilli eatingchampionisentering Tauranga’sheatof2025’sNZ ChilliEatingChampson SundayatTheBarrelRoom, whichfiresupat4pm.
theoneTaurangaspotinthe nationalchillichampfinals.
Leigh’sbuild-up Inpreparation,Leighsaidhe addsheattomostofhismeals tobuilduphistolerance.His favouritewaytoaddspice istoaddchilliflakes,but notthekindyoufindatthe supermarket.
yourselfachallenge,whether it’saphysicalchallenge,ora mentalchallenge.”
Leighsaidbuildinghispeak tolerancemakeshimafierce competitor.Healsoclaimsto havetriedmanyhotsauces anddoesn’tbelieveanyof themarespicyenough.“I’ve nottriedonethatwouldticka boxtome.”
“We’vegotallWharfS restaurantson-boardto ahotorspicyplateont menuforApril26–and we’llhavefive-sixhotsa vendorswithstallsonth streetsellingtheirwares saidJackson.
Thefestivalbegins12 noon–andthechilli eatingchampswill bethemainevent, startingat4pmat TheBarrelRoom. Anyonecansignup –entryis$10each andthewinnertakes all–you’llbeintowin prizemoney,beer,and
es,
The Barrel Roomgeneral managerLiamJacksonsaidthe competition will feature some ofthehottestchilliesinthe world–andanyonecansign up on the day to vie to win a spotinthe15thannualfinals, hosted by Fire Dragon Chilli on May 31 in Auckland Hotsaucefest Or simply sidle up to w competitors feel the bur “The chillis start from m will go up and up, pote showcasing some reaper scorpions,” said Jackson Entering the competit himself, Jackson said Th Room had expanded th from2024 4 toofffferallar eventthisyear–Tauran HotSauceFestival.
“Mostpeoplewhomakehot sauceswillalsodehydratetheir superspicychilliesandthen grindthemintoapowder,and Ifindthat’stheeasiestwayfor me to have something my level ofspicy.”
Asthecompetitionnears, hegetsfreshchillisfromlocal growers “becausethey’rethe hardesttoeatintermsofspice incomparisontootheroptions like hot sauce ”
WhileLeighisgunningto wininhishometownthis weekend,hehasalready qualifiedforthisyear’s nationalchamps,andthisyear his Australian rival, who’d beat himthelasttwoyears,won’t bethere.
Ifyouthinkyoucanhandle the heatand beat Leigh,getto TheBarrelRoomthisSaturday before4pm.
AylaYeoman
A freetalkaboutfascinating fungiandmagnificent mushroomsishappeningat TeAoMārama-Tauranga LibrarythisSaturdayfrom 12.30pm-2.15pm. PartoftheFungiFestNZ2025 programmerunningfromMarch 29-May4,thetalkisbyDavid Whyte,amemberoftheFungal NetworkofNewZealandcouncil. Davidwillgiveapresentation aroundtheecologyoffungi;how theyworksymbioticallywithtrees, plusthemorewell-knownbreaking downoforganicmaterials.He’ll alsotouchonwhattolookfor
whenattemptingtoidentifyfungi, finishingwithashortQ&Asession. Thetrainedscientistinthebiotech industry-turnedamateurmycologist hascontributedsignificantlyto fungalobservationsoninaturalist. nzwithnearly4000recorded observations,includingexoticand indigenousfungi. Apassionateeducator,David believesinmakinglearningfun andaccessibletoall.He’salsoan activeparticipantofMushroom HuntingNZ,avibrantFacebook communitywithnearly60,000 members,andisthecollectorof multipleindigenousfungi.Findout moreat:www.ecoscievents.org.nz/ fungifestnz
atch n! ild and ntially s and . ion e Barrel e event rger nga’sfirst St’s offer their d auce he s,” n
An hour before the competition starts, Leigh eats a peanut butter sandwich so he doesn’t go in with an empty stomach Leigh said he often gets asked why he does it and is told that he’s stupid
But he says: “It’s no different than playingasport”.
“Youset
NationalchampionchillieaterShannon Leighispreparedtotakeonwhoeveris braveenough. Photo/BrydieThompson
$15 LUNCHES 11.30amtil4pm Weekdays (notincluding PublicHolidays)
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KNOWYOUR Clearersignsofamarketrebound NewZealand’shousingmarket continuestoshowsignsof recovery,withnationalsales activityanddwellingvalues bothliftinginMarch,supported byeasingmortgageratesand renewedbuyerconfidence, accordingtoCoreLogicNZ’s AprilHousingChartPack.
Salesvolumeswere11%higherin Marchcomparedtothesametimelast year,morethanoffsettingFebruary’s briefdip.Thismarksnearlytwoyearsof gradualgrowthintransactionactivity.
“Clearlyconfidencelevelsare growing,nodoubtreflectingthefalls
inmortgagerates,”saidCoreLogic NZchiefpropertyeconomistKelvin Davidson.“Therecoveryinproperty valuesandactivitylevelsisbecoming clearer,butitremainsmeasured. Higher stocklevelsarestillgivingbuyersplenty ofchoice,whichwillkeepalidonprice growthinthenearterm.”
Homevalues Nationalhomevaluesedgedup0.5% inMarch,followinga0.4%increasein FebruaryandaflatresultinJanuary, basedonCoreLogicNZ’slatestHome ValueIndex.Therecoveryisbecoming moregeographicallywidespread,extendingbeyondthemaincentresintokey regionaltownsandcities.
Whilethesupplyofavailablelistings continuestotrackatmulti-yearhighs,
reducingtheurgencyforbuyers, improvingconditionshavenevertheless sparkedrenewedinterestfromarangeof buyergroups.
Investoractivity Firsthomebuyeractivityasashareof themarkethaseasedslightlyfromrecent recordhighs,butinvestoractivityison therise,drivenbylowermortgagerates, saidDavidson.“Mortgagedinvestors remainonthecomebacktrail.Lower interestratesarecertainlyhelping investorsbyreducingthecashflowtopupsoutofotherincomesourcesthatare generallyrequiredonarentalproperty purchase.Whiletheshareofpurchases goingtomortgagedmultipleproperty owners,includinginvestors,remains belowhistoricallevels,thisgrouphas
certainlystartedtoreturn.Indeed,at23%inQuarterOne2025, they’rebacktolevelsnotseensincelate-2021.”Davidsonsaid allbuyergroupswereexpectedtobemoreactivethroughtherest of2025.“Ifcurrentmomentumcontinues,weanticipatearound 10,000moreresidentialsalesthisyearcomparedto2024.”
DownloadthefreeAprilHousingChartPackat: www.corelogic.co.nz/news-research/reports/housing-chart-pack
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Eventattractsfirst-timerstoseasonedpros Rain,shineorhowlinggales,runnerJanetBairdis outtrainingforherfirsttimeenteringtheiconic MauaoKing&QueenoftheMountaineventon Sunday,April27.
FirsttimeentrantJanetBaird, getsreadyforanothertraining run.
“Iusedtoruninmy20s,30sand 40s,thenIstoppedinmy50s,”saidthe 66-year-old.Recently,shejoinedthe beginnersgroupatMountMaunganui RunnersandWalkersClub,which challengesmemberstoruntothetop oftheMount.
“Thatwasacoupleofyearsagoandit meantgettingbackintorunningaftera decadeofnorunning.Ifeltveryheavy leggedatfirst,butthegroupisallages andsomotivatingandfun.Ithinkthe camaraderieisabigpartofitforme.”
ThePāpāmoaBeachresidentwonthis year’sMauaoKing&Queenofthe Mountainprizedrawofanewpairof MerrellMorphliteTrailrunningshoes bypurchasinganearlybirdeventticket.
Myself “Thechallengeistotallywithmyself. Ihaveafinishtimeinmind,butI’m keepingthatundermyhat,”shesaid. Themainraceisa4kmrunalongthe beachtothesummitofMauao,then alongthebeachtoLeisure/Moturiki
Island.Thereisalsoa2.5kmjunior racethatrunspart-wayupMauao. JoiningBairdonthestartinglineis lastyear’swinner,MichaelSutton–an elitecompetitorwhobeganrunning schoolcross-countryeventsatagesix, andjoinedAthleticsTaurangaaged12. “Thistimelastyear,Iwasracingall overEuropeintheSwissAlpsonthe MatterhornandatChamonixatthe baseofMontBlanc,”saidthe30-yearold.“Intheworldmountainrunning rankings,Imadeittoninth.” Under19minutes
Sutton’sgoalistobeatlastyear’s winningtimeof19m37s.“Toget under19minuteswouldbenice,but it’sjustgreattoberunningonhome soil.”Thisyearisthe78thMauaoKing &QueenoftheMountain.“Thisis afamily-friendlyeventforeveryone, notjusttheelite,”saidAndreaNeal,of AthleticsTauranga.
“Weloveseeingalllevelsofrunners gettinginvolved.Infact,thisyearis
Newservicesforthoseneedinghelp! Tauranga’sFreePublicAdvocacy Servicehasjustmadeitmucheasier forthoseneedinghelptoaccessthem outofbusinesshours.
“We’renowofferaSaturdayclinicat TaurangaCityLibraryfrom10.30am-12 noon,”saidservicefounderCarolHeena. “Andwe’velaunchedalinkonourwebsite –at:freepublicadvocacyservice.co.nz–that allowspeopletocontactusonline,sowecan captureclient’sdetailsandissues.”
Theaimoftheserviceistoprovidemuchneededfreeassistanceforpeopleofall ageswhoarestrugglingtoaccessessential services,saidHeena.
EstablishedinNovember2023,two agenciesbeganoperatingfromGreerton LibraryandWelcomeBayCommunity Centre,withtwoadvocatessharingthe responsibilities.
Widercoveragearea
Todaytheservicehasfivevolunteer advocatesandtheserviceisavailableatthree
furtherweeklyclinicsatArataki,Pāpāmoa andTePuke.“Thishasimprovedourability toaccessclientsfromawiderareawith theTaurangaandWesternBayofPlenty Moana,”saidHeena.
Witha100%increaseininquiriesforhelp sincetheextraclinicsopened,Heenasaid theservicehadsupported48individualsso farthisyearwithfreeadvocacyadviceon issuesincludinginsurance,ACC,WINZ, tenancyproblemsMBIEandDispute Tribunalmatters.
Whilesomeclientsreceiveregularadvice andguidance,othershaveone-offinquiries.
“Ourclientswelcomethefreeandeasy accesstohelpfuladviceandadvocacy withintheircommunity.Thisserviceis offeredwithoutrestraintonfinancialor residencystatus.
“[Thefactthat]Weareofferedpositive feedbackopenlywithoutbeingsolicited validatesourservice.”
Successes
Heenasaidtheservicehadachievedsome remarkablesuccesssinceitbegan.
“Inoneinstance,anadvocateaccompanied andassistedasocialhousingtenanttothe TenancyTribunalseekingreimbursementfor disputedexpensesincurredandwasawarded $1400fromthelandlord,”saidHeena.
Anotherwinstemmedfromasolomotherof-fivereceivinganevictionnoticefrom emergencyaccommodation.
“Themotherwasverydistraughtbecause thechildrenweresettledinanearbyschool andshedidn’twanttoupsettheestablished routineofherchildrenbyhavingtorelocate.
“Wewereabletoarrangereferencesof supportfromanurse,andasocialworker fromtheschoolthechildrenwereattending.”
Theresultwasthemotherandchildren wereallowedtoremainintheemergency accommodation.
“Sometimesthingsdon’tturnoutrightfor theclientbutwecanusuallygetareasonable conclusion,”saidHeena.
Contactthem! “Atothertimeswe’renotsuitablyqualified tohelp–butwewillcontinuetosupport ourclientsthroughtheprocessifneeded.”
ChurchesActiveInOurCommunity Because of that one Man… Did you get to any special events during Easter weekend?
I wonder how many Easter productions there were around the world? Cast and crews rehearsing and practising fortheir big day?
Or kids and youth going to Easter camps? Some will never sleep, others will dance in the mosh pit, and some willbe homesick
Or pastors and ministers spending extra preparation time ontheir messages for the services over the Easter weekend? Or guests presenting their art to tellthe Easter story
I also wonder how many regular churchgoers – Christmas and Easter– were there at one or more ofthese special services? They may only go to church twice a year, but what was it like for them?
It’s amazing how influential these events
are in our society.The fact is,thousands and thousands of folk attend these services
The life of one man, Jesus Christ, has influenced and impacted the world like no other We live in the year 2025 AD All the world’s calendars arereferenced to that one life His coming to earth, His life, crucifixion, burial, His resurrection and His ascension back into heaven,is the pivot around which our date is anchored
I will never tire of the Easter weekend
Because that one man, Jesus Christ, has made a massive difference in my life,everyday and every weekend of the year.
You’ll find similar people in the churches that put on these Easter events You’ll be welcomed there Every weekend
By Stephen Whitwell, C3 City Church, Tauranga
thefirsttimewe’veincludedanew,fun socialwalktothetopandback.There willbealargerangeofspotprizesand we’redonating$10fromeachwalk entrytoTaurangaFoodbankasaway togivebacktothecommunity.” Registrationisat:www.sporty.co.nz/ athleticstauranga
Tauranga’sFreePublicAdvocacyServiceCarol Heenawantsyoungerpeopletoaccessthefree helponoffer–iftheyneedit. Photo/Supplied
ThisyearHeenasaidtheserviceintendson consolidatingitswork“sowecanbringour helpfurtherintothecommunitieswhere peoplewhoneeditlive”. ToaccesshelporcontactTauranga’sFree PublicAdvocacyService,visit: freepublicadvocacyservice.co.nz
7OakLane,Tauranga Shabbat(Sat)10amor Youtubelive@10am Shalom Joel&SharonvanAmeringen Enquiries0226325957
Lastyear’swinneroftheiconicMauao King&QueenoftheMountainevent, MichaelSutton. Photo/Supplied ALLWELCOME
EVANSRDCOMMUNITYCHURCHPAPAMOA 30EvansRoad www.evansroadchurch.org 10amFamily Service STANDREWS CrnMacvilleRd & DeeStMaunganui Phone 5759347 www.mountchurch.org nz Rev DouglasBradley 9:00amTraditional Service 10:30amContemporary Service
Photo / Debbie Griffiths
DebbieGriffiths
Ourdoorsareopen,Saturday3May,10am–2pm Comeandexploreourretirementvillages,enjoycomplimentary refreshmentsandgointhedrawtowina$500grocerygiftcard*. Formoreinfocontactyourlocalvillageorvisit metlifecare.co.nz
