The Weekend Sun 27 Feb 2015

27 February 2015, Issue 740

The Bay’s largest circulating, most read newspaper.

Battery warning for babies – p10

64,980 copies

to the homes of 159,700 residents throughout TAURANGA, MOUNT MAUNGANUI, PAPAMOA, WAIHI BEACH, KAIMAI, KATIKATI, TE PUKE, PAENGAROA, OTAMARAKAU and all RDs

Standing against domestic violence – p26

Callout for country music – p37

Fighting for gold Fourteen-year-old Francis Lloyd and 15-year-olds Maddison Black and Jade Gibson from Te Puna’s Silla Taekwon-Do Club have been practising their team pattern sequences for months – but they’re also on a furious Fundraising mission. The trio are the only Bay of Plenty representatives in a 50-strong Kiwi team heading to Italy in May for 2015’s World Taekwon-Do ITF Championships.

With 11 weeks to go, the passionate martial art fighters have fundraisers planned – so they make it to Italy, to spar their way gold medals. To learn more about them, see page 7. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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The Weekend Sun

The Weekend Sun is published every Friday, circulating throughout the Western Bay of Plenty, delivered free to 64,980 homes of more than 159,700 residents from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke including rural and residential mailboxes.

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

Sun Media Ltd Directors: Claire & Brian Rogers Editorial: Andrew Campbell, Hamish Carter, Letitia Atkinson, Elaine Fisher, Zoe Hunter, Luke Balvert, Merle Foster, David Tauranga, Dan Sheridan, Hunter Wells. Photography: Tracy Hardy, Bruce Barnard. Advertising: Kathy Sellars, Suzy King, Lois Natta, Rose Hodges, Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon, Tasha Paull, Lucy Pattison, Bianca Lawton, Cath Jump, Doug Britton, Chole Brown, Vanessa Lee. Design Studio: Kym Johnson, James Carrigan, Sarah Adamson, Kerri Wheeler, Kyra Duffy, Amy Bennie. Digital Media: Lauren McGillivray, Jay Burston Office: Julie Commerer, Melanie Stone, Kathy Drake.

Weird stuff we’ve seen lately What is wrong with you people? Have you all gone completely stark raving bonkers?

Just lately we’ve seen some of the most bizarre things happening. So many that we been dedicated this entire column to your antics. It’s not even a full moon, yet we’ve seen this:

Whumphing Samoan samurai

noses from the stench of the mystery contents, please drop us a line.

We’ve been bewildered ever since.

Confused caravan

A boat that thinks it’s a caravan; or is it a caravan that floats? Well both really. Rod and Leonie Haines’ “boatahome” is a registered, selfcontained motorcaravan that also happens to be a trailerable houseboat.

A couple of burly Samoan blokes seen traipsing around the shallows of upper Tauranga Harbour at night, with a flashlight and a drum half full of badly disfigured eels.

“You fellas been spearing fish?” seemed like a sensible question. “No, we been getting them with the knife,” one replied.

“What sort of knife?” seemed like another logical question. He then pulled out the “knife” – a massive samurai sword, complete with ornate decoration. Then proceeded to show me the technique, sword overhead, smashing down on dazed and unsuspecting eel, caught in the beam of the light. “Whummph,” they assured me.

Stinky secret

A couple in a station wagon near Whangamata.

All the windows covered up inside with blankets pegged around.

Driving erratically. When it turned off the highway, we saw both driver and passenger holding their noses.

What the..? Who drives around with a secret cargo that smells bad? Were they doing something dastardly and sinister, or is there a plausible explanation? If you are in the habit of touring the country with your car windows covered and holding your

They’ve also got another larger one that is for sale. Details are coming up in the next Waterline magazine and on the marine section of SunLive.co.nz, in case you want to take a movan fishing.

Hay, pull over!

A tractor that thinks it’s a police car. Yes that’s right, Plod has gone plowing. The boys in blue reckon it’s a good way to highlight rural security and are touring A&P shows and agricultural events with this fully pimped cop tractor. They think it’s a great way to raise awareness. They “borrowed” the tractor from the supplier. But the Taxpayer’s Union reckon it’s a shocking waste of funds and resources, traipsing it around the country, that won’t help the victims of rural crime. We think it’s just bizarre!

Fur in the fast lane

Dogs driving cars. Well at least they look like it. Seen on Cameron Rd, a bloke in the driver’s seat with a middle size dog on his

lap, paws on the steering wheel and both were sharing a pie.

I don’t how many times I’ve told my dog, don’t drive and pie. Do they ever listen?

Greasy is the word

John Travolta proved that Greasy is the word, seen creepy and stalker-like, as he licked the face of a young and gorgeous Hollywood star at the Oscars. As for the weird choker thing around the neck. One RR reader says it’s a shame for those who remember ‘Grease’.

You painted what?

An artist gets home from a hard day on the paint. “How was your day?” “Well, I painted a giant woman’s crotch,” he could well have replied. Because acclaimed artist Owen Dippie gets down to the sensitive areas of his latest creation, on the wall of Harrington House in Tauranga.

I really hope they’ve considered my suggestion for naming this mural: ‘Skinny Dippie’.

Tell us your weird observations and we’ll share with the rest of the weirdos out there.

The best will win prizes. Send to brian@thesun.co.nz with ‘Weird things’ in the subject line. brian@thesun.co.nz

IMPORTANT STUFF: All material is copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Sun Media makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information and accepts no liability for errors or omissions or the subsequent use of information published. Mount Maunganui artist Owen Dippie’s working on his latest piece on Harrington House. The piece spans 27 metres. The ‘Goddess of Love’ is in Sandro Botticelli’s 1486 painting The Birth of Venus.

The Weekend Sun

3

Drone invades airspace It spooked Arlene Whittington’s chooks and sent her scuttling for cover.

“The chickens went berserk,” says Arlene.“They saw, heard and it and went crazy – cackled their heads off.”

The ‘it’ was a drone mounted with a camera. It had violated Arlene’s airspace over her Dalton Place backyard in Papamoa and fuelled concerns over privacy and security.

“I got quite a fright. I saw it hovering above me and I went: ‘What the ####?’”

Her encounter with the drone raises interesting questions about unmanned aircraft operations. What was the drone doing, who was flying it and what would the images be used for?

“I know a house over the back’s for sale so I presume it was for a real estate promotion,” says Arlene.

But she doesn’t know for sure. “No, not for sure!”

That’s why she went scuttling under a tree until the drone drifted off. “I got out of sight so it couldn’t see me…just in case.”

When her partner David Banks went to the Police out of curiosity, there were other concerns.

“They told us to be wary – just in case it was a burglar casing the joint.”

Arlene and David thought that was a bit extreme.

“Then they told us to ring 111 if we saw it again.”

They still believe it was a real estate agent getting aerial photos of a house.

But did they prefer to believe that because the alter-

native ‘burglar’ explanation was unsettling?

“Probably, that’s true,” admits Arlene.

“And I’m sure not anyone would feel comfortable with these things buzzing around just above their heads and filming everything.”

And that’s exactly why the Civil Aviation Authority is having a closer look at drones.

The advanced performance characteristics of drones means they have a much wider application including scientific research, film and video production and agriculture.

“This can mean greater safety risks for airspace users and for people and property. It’s important we update the rules in recognition of those risk,” says the CAA’s Steve Moore.

Currently, rules dictate, among other things, that a drone operator needs to be able to see the aircraft with their own eyes at all times, the aircraft can be flown only in daylight and not closer than four kilometres from an aerodrome. However, the rules are likely to be

By Hunter Wells ramped up To read the full story, go to SunLive. co.nz and search ‘Drone unsettles Bay’s backyard dwellers.

Arlene Whittington and her chooks’ Papamoa backyard were invaded by a drone. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

4 A selection of some local breaking stories featured this week on...

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No-show leaves students stranded

School children were left stranded by the roadside in the rain on Monday morning after a daily bus service was cancelled for the day without any prior warning.

The abrupt cancellation left a group of Welcome Bay parents scrambling to get their children to school on time.

Route 411 of Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Schoolhopper service runs from Welcome Bay Road and through the suburb before dropping children off at Otumoetai Intermediate and Otumoetai College at 8.15am.

Elderly woman mugged

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 71-yearold woman was robbed in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.

The woman, who suffers from a medical condition, was mugged by two teenagers as she walked down the alleyway between Taupo Ave and Girven Rd. The incident happened at around 2.45pm, and police would like to hear from members of the public who may have observed the offenders in the Bayfair area at the time.

They are described as male, 13-to-15 years old wearing dark coloured clothing with red bandannas covering their faces.

Poll call looms for Maori ward

Tauranga Maori are checking the numbers to decide whether a poll is necessary in relation to a Maori ward seat on Tauranga City Council.

City councillors voted unanimously against the measure last November.

However, the council decision can be challenged if five per cent of the roll demand a poll.

The petition must be finalised and submitted by today. Based on the number of electors on the 2013 roll, five per cent adds up to 4237 voters.

Road markings removal pleases

Yellow ‘no-parking' lines outside a Tauranga special school have lasted less than a fortnight after an outcry from the school forced Tauranga City Council to admit fault and have them partially removed.

TCC contractors removed a section of the yellow lines from Kaka St on Tuesday afternoon following a week-long internal investigation into why the markings were put in place without consultation with Kaka Street Special School.

The markings were painted on Saturday, February 14 before a surprised principal Barrie Wickens arrived the following Monday to find no parking available to load and unload students legally.

A statement posted on the website outlines some of the yellow lines were removed because the street is a narrow ‘no-exit’, and with the school at the far end, it creates some competing vehicle needs in the cul-de-sac.

SunLive Comment of the Week: Capt Kaveman comments on the Western Bay Moana Rural Fire Authority now issuing permits for open air fires on a restricted basis, thanks to recent rainfall.

“There should be NO rural fires what so ever, anyone who does should pay a large carbon tax for the pollution of the district.”

The Weekend Sun

Nanny Dene retires from school Tauranga’s Geraldine Reweti was offered a job at Bethlehem School 58 years ago – and she’s never left. “Yes,” she says. “No problem. I can do it with my eyes closed.”

She’s known as Nanny Dene or Nanny Reweti. Mrs Reweti is too formal.

Dene’s been both a pupil and a teacher at the school. Today, her son Takiri Reweti teaches in the Maori unit – and her nine-year-old granddaughter Takiri Mai Te Ata Reweti and seven-year-old twin grandnieces Hine Tuahiahi and Pania Atwood are pupils there.

Dene officially retired at the end of 2014. But it’s been a long-standing joke at the school that she’d never leave. Not that they wanted her to.

At age 88, Dene is possibly New Zealand’s oldest junior teaching assistant.

But she’s finally been convinced by her daughter to enjoy retirement.

Dene’s first encounter with Bethlehem School was enrolling as a student in 1932. Back then, it was called Paeroa Native School and it was just across the road from where it is now on Carmichael Rd. In the late 1930s, Dene went to Queen Victoria College at Parnell in Auckland.

It took her three attempts to apply for teacher’s college – but each time she fell pregnant. On the third time she concluded it just wasn’t meant to be.

“I wouldn’t speak to my husband for a whole week,” laughs Dene.

PIC?

Tauranga’s Dene Reweti with her nine-year-old granddaughter Takiri Mai Te Ata Reweti and seven-year-old twin grandnieces Hine Tuahiahi and Pania Atwood at Bethlehem School.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

After college, Dene began her first junior teacher assistant at Maungatapu School. She taught there for three years before she accepted her late husband’s proposal and married at age 20.

“That’s why I’m still alive,” says Dene.

“I had a lovely married life.”

He loved classical music. So did she.

“That suited me down to the ground.”

She has a piano in her office at Bethlehem School. Her pupils aren’t allowed to play it during class time though.

“They’re supposed to be working or outside playing but I let them fiddle

around,” laughs Dene.

One of her roles at Bethlehem School was with the school library. “That was quite a task,” says Dene.

“I had to write down all the names of the books and at the end of that year pack them up again and make sure none were missing.

“It was my job to place them in the alphabetical order.”

She loved it. “I used to love reading. We were too poor to buy books so I had to grab anything I could get hold of.”

The school has now named the library after her. Her name Geraldine Reweti hangs above the entrance.

The school is celebrating Dene’s retirement with a special service on March 13.

The Prime Minister John Key has been invited to attend, along with close friend Helen Clark, and Education Minister Hekia Parata, Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby and other ministry representatives.

Even though she’s retired, Dene will be back three days a week to “make sure they’re doing it right”.

By Zoe Hunter

5

The Weekend Sun

A skater’s pipe dream Quality Blinds HUGE SAVINGS direct from the manufacturer

The constant yet unmistakable clunk of skaters on a ramp is nothing more than irritation for many, but for Mount Maunganui’s Blair Adshead he hopes it’s the beautiful noise of change.

Blair is one of many skaters making the most of the new mini vert ramp on Maunganui Rd, despite residents complaining to council over skating noise late at night and into the early hours of the morning.

The last fortnight’s complaints have seen a council sign specifying hours of operation, as well as chains, erected to combat the problem.

But Blair cites safety concerns and inadequate surfaces at other skate parks as markers for a proper park to be built. “We’ve been fighting for a new skate

park for so long and everyone is going to the new mini ramp and it’s getting over-abused because it’s something new.

“The kids love it and it’s such a shame we’ve got an old skate park at 17th Ave for so long and built so badly no one can progress and no one goes there.”

Growing up in Arataki, the 22-year-old says no parents would feel safe dropping their children at the skate park – having witnessed incidents of attempted stabbings, assaults and drug deals.

Since 2008 Blair and fellow skaters have lobbied TCC with potential designs for a purpose-built park.

“Matamata just got a cool skate park, Katikati just got one; that’s fantastic everyone is getting one except for the place with the best beach in NZ. “If they replaced the old skate park maybe more kids would go there and complaints would stop.”

TCC communications advisor Marcel Currin says for Tauranga to get a one-stop-shop skate plaza, councillors need to be convinced through the Long Term Plan submissions.

The future plan for additional skate equipment is at Memorial Park, where the reserve management plan allows for development of a youth hub. But funding sits outside the LTP. Marcel says Blair’s skate park is the busiest in the city. “We’ve seen significant improvements in the environment of this park since council’s investment in the Community Centre, which maintains overview of the whole park.”

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The Weekend Sun

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The Weekend Sun

Te Puna’s taekwon-do trio of talent time for anything else,” says Maddison. “I did dancing for nine years and gave it up for taekwon-do.”

But simultaneously the girls and their families are fundraising $7000 each to get to Italy. “That’s the frustrating, stressful bit, because we use all our time training to do well over there, then have to find time to fundraise.”

Cover story

Maddison Black, Jade Gibson and Francis Lloyd.

Apart from school, Maddison Black, Jade Gibson and Francis Lloyd spend nearly all their waking hours training taekwon-do – they just can’t get it enough of it.

Ask them why and the girls’ – all junior 1st Dan black belts – passion for the sport unleashes, with them gushing about all the opportunities, friendships and life skills it offers.

The trio from Silla Taekwon-Do Club in Te Puna are the only Bay of Plenty representatives in a 50-strong Kiwi team heading to Italy in May for 2015’s World Taekwon-Do ITF Championships.

More than 60 countries will be attend the biennial event from May 27-31 – and the Te Puna trio will be in the thick of it after trialling last November.

Tauranga Girls’ College student Frances Lloyd, 14, will compete in individual specialty, individual power breaking, sparring – and teams events for all three.

Otumoetai College’s Jade Gibson, 15, will vie for

glory in individual sparing and team patterns, while Aquinas College’s Maddison Black, 15, is attending her second world championship.

Competing in individual specialty and individual sparring, team pattern, team specialty, team sparring and team power, Maddison is “going back for gold”.

“Last time [in 2013 in Spain] I got silver in team specialty; and I want to medal in the others because I placed fourth last time, which was awful.”

Newbies Jade is “excited” and Francis is a bit bewildered. “I think it will be great experience and I will try my hardest,” says Jade.

“But as long as I come home knowing I’ve done the best I can, I’ll be really happy.”

Frances is just looking forward to learning as much as she can “and watching as many people as I can and soaking up all that information I can use in future”.

With 11 weeks to go, the trio train individually and at clubs endlessly, take fitness classes, and travel to Auckland every Saturday and one weekend per month, to train with the Kiwi team. “We have no

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This Sunday, March 1 the girls have a movie night fundraiser, with ‘Unbroken’ and ‘Fifty shades of Grey’ at Rialto, with nibbles at 4.30pm and the movie starting 5.30pm. Tickets are $20 from Donna Brunsden on 027 440 2240 or go to givealittle.co.nz/ cause/jadegibsontkd or givealittle. co.nz/cause/supportmaddison2015.

By Merle Foster

8

The Weekend Sun

Dancers to Disneyland “There’ll hopefully be other regional tours going at Tauranga dance teacher Dani Miller wants to put Bay of Plenty dancers in the spotlight, the same time so there’ll be lots of other New Zealand dancers at the same hotel, which will be cool.” giving them a taste of showbiz on This is the first time LA Dance Tours have had stage at Disneyland. regional co-ordinators and if they can’t attract 25 As the Tauranga co-ordinator for LA Dance Tours, Dani is looking for at least 25 dancers – aged 12 or older – to take to Los Angeles for two weeks in the April, July or September school holidays in 2016.

Dancers will have the opportunity to perform a 20-minute high-energy routine at Disneyland, take classes at top dance studios, participate in workshops and seminars, see live shows – plus tour the sights and sounds of the Californian city.

Dani says the trip gives Bay performers the opportunity to further their dance career and network with others who share the same passion.

dancers – no one from Tauranga can go.

“I’m looking at multi-genre performers,” says Dani, who says dancers don’t need to audition.

“As long as the dancer can keep up the high energy, then they’ll be fine.”

The cost to perform on Disney’s stage is $2997 plus flights. Dani will lead rehearsals, as well as help each dancer to fundraise for the trip.

Dani’s inviting interested dancers to an initial information meeting at Arataki Community Centre on March 4 from 6.45pm. If interested, email Dani at dani@danimillerdance.com

By Zoe Hunter

Dayna Humphries and Charnce Williams are hoping to dance at Disneyland at in their 2016 school holidays.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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The Weekend Sun

Crash and smash with me Demolition derby drivers are a special breed, so sayeth guru and ASB Baypark Speedway promoter Bernie Gillon.

“They’re somebody with a bit of cunning, bit of mongrel, and a whole lot of luck on their shoulder.”

Come April 11, this journalist will channel all his cunning and mongrelness for the SunLive Baypark Speedway Demolition Derby. As for luck: I’m sowing a plot of four-leaf clovers into my beard.

Having never experienced the thrill of a demolition derby before, Bernie tells me quite simply that I “have not lived”.

“It’s heaps of fun; you’re chasing and being chased, and when you hit there’s a huge feeling of elation.

“The whole time you’ve got to expect the

Have you ever wanted to demolish a journalist? Then join David Tauranga on the track at the SunLive Baypark Speedway Demolition Derby on April 11. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

unexpected, you’re in God’s hands in a nice way,” says Bernie, before he adds an emphatic “Woo hoo!”

Preparations are going swimmingly and more than 30 drivers have signed up for the crash and smash event. The goal is for 60 drivers, Bernie would love to see 100.

It’s open to anyone with a current driver’s licence and cars are available for drivers to hire, but you’ll need get in quick to secure a vehicle.

Want another reason to enter? Well, the last driver standing will win $2000, while he or she who wreaks the most havoc will slide a cool $1000 into their pocket.

And if that isn’t enough – this will be your only legal opportunity to smash a journalist.

“Every time you’re driving behind someone who’s annoying you, store that in the memory, enter the derby and visualise them as you’re about to take a car out,” says Bernie laughing.

Entry forms for the SunLive Baypark Speedway Demolition Derby are available online at www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz or from Flamecrusher in Gate Pa and ASB Baypark.

Visit SunLive to read the full story and for more details about the event.

For mor and test

By David Tauranga

Still, there’s plenty for everyone Entries can be uploaded to media@ Snap, snap, snap – keen photographers bayofplentynz.com with the subject are encouraged to get snapping their best photos to enter in the Photographic line: photography competition entry.

Society of New ZeaOr go to www.sunlive.co.nz under the land’s 63rd annual competitions convention and section.

‘Set the night on fire’ Photographers exhibition.

A selection of the are asked to most eye-catching spontaneously shots will be discapture the natuplayed at the 2015 ral beauty of the ‘Exploring Pixels’ region or show exhibition, hosted family and friends

by Tauranga Photoenjoying what the graphic Society, at Bay of Plenty has Tauranga Raceto offer. course from April The National Photography 29-May 3.

Exhibition’s convention – dubbed Natex Aspiring shutterbugs are encouraged – will showcase 350 high quality printed to snap their photographs before March images and 200 projected images, open 20, with images to be submitted by for public viewing on May 2.

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The Weekend Sun

Darling Devon: the battery baby Devon was just doing what any baby would do – he picked something up and put it straight into his mouth.

No parent would expect it could put their baby in hospital for almost the first year of his life – or even longer. No parent would imagine it could mean their baby may not ever speak again.

The scary thing is Tauranga mother Amanda Hacche doesn’t know what the future holds for her darling Devon.

Her then eight-month-old baby was with a family member when he swallowed a lithium-ion button

battery which severely burned the inside of his throat. The tiny battery caused major corrosive burns down his oesophagus. Doctors found a 5cm hole in Devon’s trachea and a 2cm hole seriously damaging nerves around his vocal chords.

“Originally, they said it could be a coin but we think it’s a battery,” says Amanda. “I didn’t know what that meant at the time. What parent does?”

Countless surgeries

Amanda’s stopped counting how many surgeries Devon’s had. But there’d be at least nine major surgeries on top of other procedures and countless visits to theatre. “It just goes on and on.”

Her now 10-month-old baby is no longer sedated and is responsive. But he’s having trouble breathing on his own.

Worst case scenario? She doesn’t know and doctors don’t either. Amanda knows her baby is still a long way from back to normal. What will normal look like? “I don’t know. God only knows.”

“Without doubt he’ll always have some issue with speech,” says Amanda. “Best case scenario is that he’ll have a funny voice. Funny as in husky.

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Baby Devon swallowed a lithium-ion button battery which severely burned the inside of his throat.

gle to completely form words, which means he won’t really have speech – that’s only if he does long-term learn how to independently breathe for himself.”

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Amanda was on a work trip in Auckland when it happened. It’s the first time she’d left her baby boy.

She came home about 10.30pm on December 15 to her sleeping baby.

Later that night Devon became unsettled. “He kept waking up. It just wasn’t like him. The next day I was watching him and I thought he must have been getting a new tooth through.

“He was grumpy and started to get a snotty nose by the afternoon. I thought he was getting a cold.”

The next day, doctors diagnosed bronchiolitis. Amanda disagreed.

Devon’s hefty cough suggested something else.

“He was wheezing and really pulling and struggling to get breath in. He sounded like an emphysemic old man.

That’s what it reminded me of.

Mother’s instinct

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“That night I walked around all night with him on my shoulder. He didn’t sleep at all.”

Heading to the doctors again, Amanda changed direction towards Tauranga Hospital. “I don’t know why, but I just did it,” says Amanda. Perhaps mothers’ instincts kicked in.

On December 19 an X-Ray revealed a 22.32 battery – a similar size to a 10 cent coin – lodged in Devon’s oesophagus. “My first thoughts were: ‘Well, when did he do that?”

The battery was removed that day. “If they didn’t remove it then, he wouldn’t have made it.”

Amanda and Devon were flown by rescue helicopter to Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital, where she’s stayed by her son’s side ever since.

How are you? That’s a loaded question for Amanda.

What’s she supposed to say? Does she

tell the truth – or resort to the generic answer of “I’m fine”.

She’s not fine. Far from it.

The truth is there’s been moments where she breaks down and cries. She feels lost and sometimes like it’s all too hard. But giving up isn’t an option.

“You just do what you’ve got to do.

You just carry on. You’re child needs you. End of story.”

Determined boy

Amanda has two other children: a daughter aged five and a 15-year-old son, staying with her and going to school at Ronald McDonald House.

“So I can’t afford to fall to bits.”

If Devon can carry on, she can too.

He’s a determined little man. Before the incident, Devon was “blowing away” all his milestones.

“He was crawling at six-and-a-half months,” says Amanda. “He was pulling himself to standing and even starting to take tentative steps all before he turned eight months old.”

He hasn’t changed. “He’s very strongwilled, energetic and a fighter. He’s still this happy, smiley baby.”

Amanda wants to warn other parents about the dangers of batteries and babies. Was she aware of them? “No.”

Raise awareness

I thought the button battery was the equivalent to swallowing a coin or bit of a metal toy. But no – it’s far, far worse than that.”

Amanda says if a child swallows a battery, it could do significant damage in just two hours.

“You don’t have time to muck around. If you think that your child may have swallowed something, go to the hospital straight away and get an x-ray.”

A Givealittle page has been set up to raise funds for the family’s living and medical expenses. See givealittle.co.nz/cause/devonbaby To read the full story, go to SunLive. co.nz and search “Battery baby’s mum tells of anguish’.

By Zoe Hunter

11

The Weekend Sun

Spotlight on Plunket security

Becky Mellor, Wendy Cramp, Heather Salmons, Paula Williamson and Cath Waller being shown the new security cameras. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Staff ’s safety unease outside the Welcome Bay Plunket centre is being dimmed with extra lights and security, thanks to a financial helping hand from a Tauranga business.

Todd Gower Funeral Services is offering to pay half of the $1000 installation bill for a new daylight switch, CCTV vandal-proof cameras, cable, and hardware on the outside of the Welcome Bay Rd building.

The heightened security comes after a Plunket contractor was involved in an attempted assault outside the building last month, prompting concerns over staff safety.

Welcome Bay Plunket committee member Cath Waller says once installed the added security will canvas the front of the building and new all-weather deck – an addition she’s welcoming given there’s currently one security light.

“We needed to make sure staff members felt comfortable leaving the building in the evening throughout the year.

“And also volunteers we meet at the Plunket rooms in the evening once a month; and we haven’t met there since the attempted assault and we won’t be until the cameras are put up.”

The financial aid comes two years after the funeral service paid to have the wall of the Welcome Bay Plunket rooms fixed after outside cladding was kicked in by vandals.

The generous donation frees up Plunket’s annual carseat clinic, to be held on March 28 in the Welcome Bay Community Hall carpark, adds a grateful Cath.

“We contacted them because they are so wonderful at giving back to the community and helping out where they can.”

Todd Gower Funeral Services funeral director Paula Williamson says when Plunket approached her for funding support it was an immediate no brainer and money well spent.

“The Welcome Bay community is where I live so it’s helping out and also our profits go back to the community.

“It’s where I live and my children live, therefore it’s something I have a bit of a personal connection to as well.”

By Luke Balvert

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13

The Weekend Sun

Launching into good fishing grounds

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Kayak fishing in the Bay of Plenty has now settled into some resemblance of its normal summer patterns.

Snapper can be found just about anywhere at this time of the year and while the big schools of kahawai haven’t shown up, the rat Kingfish are there to provide the same entertainment.

If you’re new to kayak fishing then there are three main launching spots you need to learn for the Tauranga area –

Karewa Parade, Papamoa Domain, and Harrisons Cut. These all require a surf launch but they put you straight into good fishing grounds.

At this time of year fish can regularly be found in 15m-20m of water. And if you’re lucky enough to have a sounder then there are popular reefs that can be found out in the 20m22m depths.

Tim’s Tip: Troll a lure or a softbait everywhere you go.

You are sure to pick up a kahawai or a Kingfish at this time of the year – and you often get a surprise snapper.

Until next week, paddle hard everyone.

Bar crossing event at Kaituna Maketu Coastguard is running a second Bar Crossing Training Day on Sunday, March 8.

The session starts 8.45am at the Kaituna Cut, Ford Rd, Maketu.

If the weather is unsuitable on March 8, the back-up date is scheduled for Sunday, March 22.

The first bar training day in October was oversubscribed, with more than 60 boaties joining.

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“Within two weeks of running the course we already had more than 20 people signed up to run another training session. This number has only increased three fold since then,” says Maketu Coastguard president Shane Beech.

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The Weekend Sun

Pray with the world – in Tauranga On March 6 – The World Day of Prayer – one church in Tauranga is offering residents a rare opportunity to witness a special service to celebrate the globe-wide event.

Each year a different church hosts the Ecumenical Service for The World Day of Prayer – this year it’s Tauranga’s Wesley Methodist Church’s turn. The Methodist Women’s Fellowship is decorating the church with themes that honour the Bahamas, where The World Day of Prayer was first established.

Methodist Women’s Fellowship secretary Isabel Ashmore says this year’s organisation has fallen in the lap of her group.

“We do all preparation, with decoration of the church according to what the committee in the Bahamas wants – which includes brightly coloured flowers and flamingos because that’s their national bird.”

Representatives from 10 other churches in Tauranga are also taking part. The service will be led by Wesley Ministry Assistant Viv Whimster and includes thoughtful songs, and readings, prayers and meditations led by women from other churches.

Isabel says the day always has a different theme; this year’s is: “Jesus said to them…‘Do you know what I have done to you?’”

“These words reflect Jesus’ life of love, compassion and service that Christians have found challenging, yet reassuring,” says Isabel.

“Basically, it’s about trying to get people to work together to recognise what we can do for each other and how to look out for others.”

Wesley Methodist Church World Prayer Day organisers Edna Evans, Isabel Ashmore and Ghlennis Condell get prepared.

Tauranga’s Wesley Methodist Church’s World Day of Prayer service at 100 13th Avenue on March 6 starts with morning tea at 10am and the service is at 10.45am.

To learn more, call 07 578 8493 or Isabel on 021 039 0589.

Focusing on outcomes and impacts Tropical house and committees’ reviews One of National’s four key priorities has been to deliver better public services. This is just one area where the Government can make a real difference to Kiwi’s lives.

In practice it means improving health and educational outcomes, reducing crime rates and welfare dependency and making it easier for people to interact with Government departments.

In order to achieve this in 2012

we set 10 specific measurable targets for the public service to achieve during the next five or so years.

This marked a significant change from previous Governments, with the focus going on the outcomes and impact on New Zealanders and not just how much money was spent in each area.

These targets are just one way the public can measure and judge our performance as a Government.

There’s been a huge amount of feedback regarding the proposed closing of the city’s Tropical Plant House.

I’ve received many phone calls and emails on the topic. I’ve been told people don’t sign the visitors book because they’re locals and say they want this iconic facility kept open.

To have your say on this or any other topic during our Long Term Plan consultation period,

at the end of March, write or email a submission to elected members.

The draft LTP information and submission form will arrive in your letterbox towards the end of March.

I encourage you to tick the box to speak to your submission – this can be day or evening depending on what suits you best.

This gives elected members the opportunity to seek clarity and ask you questions about your submission.

Read these columns in full at www.sunlive.co.nz

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The Weekend Sun

On the road for brain injury funds Chris Welch takes a test-run ahead of the Gymkhana Motorcycle Fun Fiesta Charity event. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Tauranga motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to navigate their way around an obstacle course next month in a bid to raise funds for people living with brain injuries.

Hosted by BayRide Motorcycles and Western Bay Driving, the Gymkhana Motorcycle Fun Fiesta charity event in the pit area at ASB Baypark on March 8 aims to raise funds for the Headway Brain Injury Association.

Headway is an organisation that provides information and education for people with brain injuries and their families, so they can better understand the implications of the injury.

Event organiser Chris Welch says there are three courses for people to make their way around: an experienced, novice and children’s course.

“The person who does it in fastest time without putting their feet down will win a $250 voucher to spend at BayRide, including other spot prizes.”

Older riders will ride the Scorpion 225, while younger bikers can use the kiddie quad bike. Riders are also welcome to bring their own bike.

Chris says there’s plenty of family fun off the course too, including super slides and bike displays, with prizes for the oldest motorbike, highest mileage, best custom bike, people’s choice and fancy dress.

More FM will be there too, with sausage

sizzles and food stalls available on the day – as well as a live band for entertainment.

Safety experts will also be on hand to assess bike helmets.

“We’ll also have one of New Zealand’s top leather artists there,” says Chris, who hopes to raise as much funds as they can for the association.

A $20 entry fee applies for riders who wish to navigate the course, which entitles them to three circuits.

The Gymkhana Motorcycle Fun Fiesta charity event is at ASB Baypark on March 8.

Gates open 10am, with the event from 11am-3pm. Entry is $5 for spectators and $3 for children.

By Zoe Hunter

16

The Weekend Sun

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The Weekend Sun

Paul’s top choice for home care He was serving as a weapons mechanic in the New Zealand Navy in 1969 when a 400 pound anti-submarine fell three metres on top of him.

Carer Stacy Whalen helps Paul Curry with all sorts of tasks to keep things shipshape. Photo by Bruce Baranard.

He broke his back in six places, six ribs, punctured his lungs, suffered a blow to the head and spent nine months in hospital. He was just 19 years old at the time.

Papamoa’s Paul Curry has been a paraplegic for 45 years. But he’s never wallowed in selfpity. “That’s a wasted emotion,” he reckons.

The 64-year-old has had an extensive involvement in the disability sector – both in a personal and professional capacity. He’s managed various government agencies and branches of CCS Disability Action branches and been involved in numerous community projects, including leading the Protect the Brains Trust cycle helmet national campaign.

But he still needs the support to do the things he can’t. Paul’s been involved with Miranda Smith Home Care for about 15 years.

They cared for him at his Wellington home and “went out of their way” to set up a service for him at his Papamoa home 18 months ago.

What attracted him to Miranda Smith is they

try to match people with carers who have the same temperaments and values.

Paul asked for someone who’s motivated, self-directed and shares his family values.

Meet Paul’s carer Stacy Whalen. “She’s fantastic,” says Paul.

Stacy visits a couple times a week to help with everything from pulling out nails from the wall and putting up trel-

lises to cooking and grocery shopping.

“We do things like shopping, she cooks the occasional meal, knocks up a crock pot and puts five meals in the freezer – and the general housekeeping.

Being ex-navy I’m a bit fastidious about the things being shipshape.”

All in all – Miranda Smith is Paul’s top choice for home care.

By Zoe Hunter

Understanding ostomy in the Bay Western Bay of Plenty Ostomy Society Inc say there are many ways an ostomy can impact a person’s life.

All ostomates have gone through a similar experience.” Richard says during the years the society has grown in strength, with the BOP Ostomy Group becoming WBOP Ostomy Society Inc in 2001.

“In 2006 the society was one of three societies which organised and hosted the 2006 Federation of New Zealand Ostomy Societies Inc – and South Pacific Ostomy Society annual conference in Rotorua.

“In 2014 WBOP Ostomy Society again organised and hosted the NZ National Ostomy Conference, on behalf of the Federation WBOP Ostomy Society’s of NZ Ostomy Societies Inc, at Richard Mcnair wants the Hotel Millennium.” ostomates to know they

By Zoe Hunter are not alone.

Cancer, birth defects, bowel disorders, workplace and traffic accidents can make it necessary for this type of surgery, says Richard Mcnair of the WBOP Ostomy Society.

Richard says the WBOP Ostomy Society Inc started on September 10, 1975, when The Tauranga Ostomy Group became the ninth society formed in New Zealand. The first President was Jack Eagleston.

“In 1976 the name was changed to the Bay of Plenty Ostomy Group, with the aim of helping ostomates throughout the region to better understand what type of surgery they were about to undertake.”

Richard says going through an ostomy type of operation means people need different information – and this changes for individual people and their different types of surgery.

“There was a need to have available members to visit patients in hospital – and to help them to know that they are not alone.

• •

18

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19

The Weekend Sun

Jessie’s stash – a lifetime’s collection Jessie Wells sewing.

“It’s the enormous satisfaction from something well done.” And Jessie, seamstress, sewer, artiste, does “well done” very well.

Buttons and bobbins

‘The steam iron only burps rusty on light silk fabrics.’

It’s the Murphy’s law of sewing.

It’s pinned to a curtain in Jessie Wells’ sewing room. The sign also reads: ‘The magnitude of the muck-up is in direct proportion to the cost of the fabric.’

‘And if you need six buttons there will only be five in your button box.’

“It’s all true,” insists Jessie –

and this from someone who has been sewing things for nearly four score years. Yep – 80 years.

“I love fabric – I love the look, the colour, the smell, the feel of fabric.”

Fabric touches

She scrunches her face and hands. Fabric touches all but one of Jessie’s senses – it’s all very gratifyingly sensuous. I bet she would eat it too if she could.

So why is this cynical old bloke hack who can’t sew a button and doesn’t know his bobbins from his bodkins sitting in Jessie’s immaculate sewing studio attached to her immaculate Papamoa home and talking to the equally immaculate lady?

There is not one scrap of ‘sensuous’ fabric out of place here, not one loose thread. She must be a Virgo – obsessively insistent on good organisation – even in her own sewing room.

Well the reporter is here because Jessie is downsizing – downsizing her work, her lifestyle and especially a vast collection of fabrics she’s accumulated over the years.

Her kids insisted.

“I wanted to give it to Sew Retro,” she explains. That’s a fundraiser for The Turning Point Trust, a mental health service providing activities including sewing

Refresher driving course for mature residents Tauranga residents, aged 60-plus, are encouraged to refresh their driving skills by attending free driver refresher courses for road users.

The free theory-based course, starting on March 19 at Matua Bowling Club, covers new road rules, intersection rules and roundabouts, searching and scanning, car care and maintenance hints, health, medication and Jim Wilson from Age Concern Tauranga. driving – and rural and urban “All drivers, regardless of their age, driving. need to continually assess their driving Jim Wilson from Age Concern skills to ensure that high levels of safety Tauranga says while ageing is inevitaare maintained.” ble, growing older doesn’t mean giving The courses are presented by Age up an active life – age isn’t necessarily a Concern and supported by Travel Safe, precursor to being an unsafe driver.

Tauranga City Council and Western Jim says taking a driver refresher Bay of Plenty District Council. course has many benefits..

The next courses are on April 16 “This course helps to make residents at Matua Bowling Club, April 28 at feel safer on the roads and encourages Mount RSA and May 7 at Matua them to take an honest look at themBowling Club. selves.

All courses begin at 9.20am and finish at 1.30pm, with a break for lunch.

Participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch, with tea and coffee provided.

Participants are also encouraged to register with a friend. To register, contact Age Concern on 07 578 2631.

By Zoe Hunter

and textile craft for people recovering from mental health issues.

But instead the trust decided to sell Jessie’s fabric collection and so ‘Jessie’s Stash Fabric Sale’ was born.

The sale is on Saturday, March 14 from 9am-3pm at The Historic Village – to remind us what we have lost.

‘One woman’s lifetime collection from a time when every town had at least one fabric shop’ says the flyer.

Jessie is a 150cm pocket battleship.

“I’m a tough old bird – I’ve had to be.”

Sewing stuff

She has all the ordnance to be something bigger and more menacing – she does stuff, sewing stuff and gets stuff done.

And she stands for our hour-long chat, refuses to sit. “I’m not a very interesting person; you could throw me

out with the garbage. But she’s an icon from an era when women and sewing held things together.

Lifesaver for women

“Once it was a lifesaver for women; a huge employer of women. In small towns sewing gave women work when men were unemployed.”

She came out of the depression and out of an orphanage. Her parents divorced and there was no place on the farm for a girl. So she endured years of a “nasty old matron”, discipline with the strap, and tripe and onions.

But she had sewing – from age seven or eight when she dabbled with a treadle Singer.

To read the full story, go to SunLive.co.nz and search ‘Jessie’s stash of a lifetime’.

By Hunter Wells

20

The Weekend Sun

BUILDING, BUYING & RENOVATING Choosing a building company ‘you can trust’ “We have the right people ready Highmark Homes’ rent-free summer campaign online at to do a great job for you, with www.rentfreesummer.co.nz offers a stress-free building experience, a great campaign offer, to make while enjoying 16 weeks of paid rent to the value of $400 per week. the decision to build an easy and

affordable family home now,” says general manager Ryan Hunt.

d n a s u h it w d il u b t n e r r u o y y a p l ’l we OPEN AT NEW SHOW HOME

oa Golden Sands, Papam

Exciting time

Ryan says it’s an exciting time for Highmark Homes, with a new website, 35 new house plans, a new showhome at 12 Kamahi Crescent, Golden Sands, Papamoa, and one at The Lakes in design stage.

He says the challenges a new home-build buyer faces are obtaining an affordable site, and knowing what plan will work on the site for the maximum benefit both financially, and to fit their lifestyle.

Reliability

Bob and Ryan Hunt.

“Highmark Homes has the staff with the expertise, knowledge and industry relationships to get the job done and make it enjoyable.”

A new home is likely to be the largest investment a person will

make in their lifetime, so it’s essential to deal with a home building company you can trust. One that can be relied upon to deliver exactly what’s paid for – and on time. Highmark Homes is a lead-

ing brand in the affordable home market, with managing director Bob Hunt in his 50th year of business in the building industry.

Visit www.highmarkhomes.co.nz for more details.

The pros and cons of building versus buying

Build any Highmark Home this Summer and we’ll pay your rent for the duration of the build.* Visit our showhome at 12 Kamahi Crescent, Golden Sands, Papamoa. Open 1-4, Closed Wednesday. *Based on a build duration of up to 16 weeks. Terms and Conditions apply, see www.rentfreesummer.co.nz for details.

Ryan Hunt General Manager

For more information call Alan Hulme | P. 07 574 1956 M. 027 536 1003 www.highmarkhomes.co.nz

HIGH STANDARDS HIGH VALUE

You’ve reached that moment in your life – now feels like the time to own your own home.

But do you build your dream home – orbuy?

There’s pros and cons to both. Buying can be as simple as picking up a local real estate book and flicking through until you find a favourite –

or walking around the neighbourhood and falling in love with a home.

You contact the realtor, put in an offer and have it accepted immediately.

But that’s not how it happens in the real world. There’s plenty to consider when buying a home. The pros of buying an existing home are convenience and cost.

But it’s likely the property isn’t going to be exactly what you want.

When it comes to building, you have the flexibility of having things just the way you like. Building the home of your dreams can also offer sentimental value and advantages in the long run. But there’s plenty horror stories.

The weeks of bad weather, projects taking longer than expected or delayed inspections – and blowing the budget.

Whatever you decide, owning a home is a great experience.

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The Weekend Sun

BUILDING, BUYING & RENOVATING

Library redevelopment on way Construction on Greerton’s new library is to begin in June or July following Tauranga City Council appointing Marra Construction Limited for the design and build.

The new library is to be completed

by March 2016, with TCC approving $3.45 million in funding for a 900m2 building – double the size of the pre-

Building ‘dream homes’ at Palm Springs Palm Springs Developments sales and marketing representative Annemaree Crawford.

There is excitement in Palm Springs Residential Development in Papamoa, with the building of new homes underway in stage eight.

“Hawridge Developments has proven through Royal Palm Beach Estate and existing Palm Springs that a high quality is kept right throughout the development, to ensure people have value wherever they build within Palm Springs,” says marketing representative

Annemaree Crawford.

“The quality and attention to detail continues with homes being built in stage eight now – and stage nine nearing completion.”

The comprehensively designed Palm Springs development features many sites opening onto reserves, with specially designed waterways, walkways and shared recreational areas – along with beautifully designed landscaping and streetscaping to capture the coastal feel being so close to Papamoa Beach.

“Very soon we’ll be releasing our

next stage of sections within Palm Springs,” says Annemaree.

“Special features will include some generously-sized elevated sights – with many situated on waterways, with stunning outlooks to build your new home with room for a pool and impressive landscaping.”

Annemaree says Palm Springs is a truly sought-after destination.

“Come and have a look today.

I’ll show you around so you can see what sets Palm Springs apart as a perfect location to build your dream home.”

By Zoe Hunter

Living with the risk of flooding Few people know Tauranga’s streets, canals and reserves are designed to flood during heavy rainfall events.

These assets try to hold the water away from homes until it drains away. Flooding is one of many natural hazards likely to strike Tauranga.

But it would bankrupt the city providing absolute protection from all natural hazards.

There will always be some events where council cannot protect you.

The new subdivisions built during the last decade provide protection up to a 50-year Average Recurrence Interval event, which protects these houses from most rainfall events.

The problem lies with the well-established suburbs, which have maximum protection levels ranging between two and 20-year ARIs. Council has assessed different options for providing fair flood protection levels across the city. Note we’ve just focused on protecting habitable floors – living areas only, not garages or other storage sheds.

We estimate it’ll cost $190m to provide at least a 10-year ARI flood protection level across the city – benefiting around 475 houses. It could cost $300m to provide a 50-year ARI to match the same protection level as the new suburbs.

Each $10m of increased capital expenditure triggers an additional $550,000 in operational costs.

Read this column in full at www.sunlive.co.nz

sent facility – in its Annual Plan for 2014/2015.

TCC has applied to the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board for funds to extend the new library by 150m2 to incorporate a community centre.

A decision on the grant is expected in May and will not delay completion of the new library.

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The Weekend Sun

Healing as we age Last year one of my longest living clients passed away just short of age 100. When I first spoke to him in the late 1990s he was in his early 80s.

In his words, he was: “On his way out”. He accepted his poor health as the end of the road.

I put him on a nutritional programme and his health improved significantly. In particular his eyesight and general health improved to give him a new lease on life.

His improvements were so great that at age 92 he was able to have knee surgery and lived on his own until going into care last year. I really miss our regular chats but I was privileged to see him enjoy his life in his older years.

One of my great pleasures is helping people to improve in their latter years. Unfortunately many in older age think they cannot improve their health and just accept things as they are. My view is the body is always able to heal to some extent.

Today I’ve just finished a review with someone I’ve

been helping since last October.

When she called me she was doubtful whether at her age of 85 any real improvement was possible. Her main problems were flagging energy, poor general wellbeing and stiff and sore arms, hands and other joints.

After three months her energy has improved and she describes her improvements as very significant and unexpected. As a bonus the sore arms and stiff hands have improved a lot.

She is obviously feeling a lot better about life and her future.

Nutritional therapy works on the principle of supporting our in-built healing systems with appropriate diet and supplements.

However the real miracle is our body. All we do is to help give it what it really needs.

Give me a call if you need more information.

This column is now fortnightly. Join my full weekly newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz

Emergency Department wait times drop Abundant Health

Bay of Plenty patients are spending less time in Emergency Department waiting rooms thanks to Bay of Plenty District Health Board reaching a 95 per cent national health target.

BOPDHB chief operating officer Pete Chandler calls the organisation’s achievement of the Ministry of Health's Shorter Stays in ED target an excellent result, with the national target achieved across both Tauranga and Whakatane.

The target states 95 per cent of ED patients must be admitted, discharged or transferred within six hours.

For the six months to December 2014, ED pres-

entations at Tauranga Hospital grew nine per cent compared to the same period for the previous year.

“The result validates the system efficiencies we've implemented which mean our communities are now waiting less time in ED,” says Pete.

“Continuing to reduce ED waiting times needed a sector-wide approach.

“In the light of the increase in presentations, many of which are not critically urgent, we are increasingly working with our GP practice partners and Primary Health Organisations to improve the whole health sector’s ability to optimally care for the acute care needs of our patients.”

The news comes as the Ministry of Health released its national health target results for the nation’s 20 DHBs for the October-December 2014 reporting period.

Each DHB is measured against six targets, including the number of elective surgeries target, Better Help for Smokers to Quit target, the Faster Cancer Treatment health target, the More Heart and Diabetes Checks target and the Increased Immunisation target.

Disability awareness workshop

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Disability Awareness Workshop in the city on Tuesday, March 3.

The workshop will discuss if inclusive customer service relevant to your business? And can you afford for it not to be?

The workshop where we will focus on improving understanding, awareness and attitudes about disability, to ultimately break down barriers.

The workshop is 9am-12 noon on March 3 at Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, 65 Chapel St. See www.tauranga.org.nz

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The Weekend Sun

A hearty challenge To Mount

I’d like to acknowledge everyone who is participating in the Mount Everest challenge, ascending Mauao 38 times to fundraise for Mount Maunganui, Omanu and Papamoa Surf Lifesaving clubs.

It’s an awesome way to raise money for a worthy cause and get healthy at the same time.

Our two regional kapa haka groups, who are going to Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival in Christchurch next

week, have also been climbing Mauao as training.

Our little maunga (mountain) has been a busy place of late.

We have so many accessible and beautiful places in Tauranga. We really are so lucky. Take advantage of these wonderful places and inject a bit of nature into your exercise.

There is something – other than the exercise itself – that is uplifting about activity in the outdoors.

A person of Maori decent may describe this as connecting back to the land, someone else might explain being in the outdoors as simply breathing fresh air, getting

away from the busyness of daily life – traffic, computers, noise, machines – is also a good reason to exercise outdoors.

Other than Mauao, we have the Papamoa Hills, the nine kilometre loop of the Waikareo Estuary, Te Puna Quarry Park, the Minden steps and lookout – not to mention our beautiful stretch of ocean beach from Mauao to the Kaituna Cut. If you haven’t been to one of these places before, I encourage you to include it in your exercise week. Don’t miss the opportunities for improving your health – that are right on our doorstep.

Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid

– essential ingredients for the skin Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid keep appearing in the magazines as the latest and greatest thing to put on your skin.

To Papamoa

substance in the body. In fact it’s been promoted as the fountain of youth.

Hyaluronic acid has exceptional water binding properties; acting like a sponge it’s exceptionally hydrating to the skin.

Daily application reduces the impact of Well, these ingredients have been a dehydration to our skin. It will immedistaple at the Skin Centre for years. This ately plump, moisturise and soften the is nothing new but it’s as amazing as the skin. magazines say.

One of the most important factors of Clinical studies have proven the hyaluronic acid is its ability to penetrate plethora of benefits of vitamin C applied the skin and assist in the delivery of other topically. ingredients. Hence, mixing vitamin C The truth is, many of the available and hyaluronic acid together works so Leanne Cashmore. formulations contain very low concenefficiently and effectively. trations that aren’t well absorbed by the Immediate plumping and moisturising with the skin. hyaluronic acid, and using this as the delivery system When manufactured into a stable topical formulafor vitamin C will help it penetrate deeper to help tion, it’s proven to be effective in protecting against combat ageing skin, fine lines and pigmentation. photo aging of the skin.

The two of these ingredients working together have Exposure to UV light decreases naturally occurring a profound effect. vitamin C in the skin, topically applying it helps For further information, contact the Skin Centre. restore these protector levels. It reduces fine lines by activating your collagen fibres.

By Leanne Cashmore, Hyaluronic acid is once again a naturally occurring NZ Regional Cancer Network

Exercise is important for good health Exercise is helpful in the management of many conditions: Anxiety, Arthritis, Dementia/Alzheimers, Depression, Diabetes, Heart Disease,Osteporosis & Renal Disease

Start living an active life.

Have an assessment with a clinical exercise physiologist at The Cardiac Clinic.

0508 CARDIAC (0508 227 342) www.thecardiacclinic.co.nz

EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

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The Weekend Sun

SPORT & RECREATION

On track for fitness Open your door to a new exercise regime.

Walking really is the perfect way to keep active – whether it’s just an occasional stroll or challenging bush treks – it’s a great way to get your dose of exercise.

This weekend Play in the Bay’s Walk Month begins with a wide range of activities on offer to encourage people off the coach and into the outdoors to discover some of the great walks on our doorstep.

Sport BOP recreation advisor

Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust chairman Phil Wells at the entrance to the reserve’s Rimu Track, where guided walks will be run as part of Walk Month.

Jen Riley says the promotion will showcase some of the fantastic walks in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Out and about

“It is a great month to get out and about, meet others and explore the amazing region we live in with all its great parks and reserves.”

During the month anyone can join guided walks on some of the region’s best tracks including Papamoa Hills, McLaren Falls and Bowentown Headlands – many of which are also part of the ECHO Walking Festival from March 21.

Fun activities

On Saturday the programme begins with fun activities for all the family at Mount Drury with a scavenger hunt anyone can join between 3pm and 6pm (bring a pen), or coastal dune restoration and rock pool ecology walks running as part of Sustainable Backyards month. For details, call Tania 07 578 6664.

On Sunday, March 8 family walks – 3km or 5km – around The Lakes leaving from the Oval, at 10am will raise funds for the Tauranga Parents Centre.

Walks on offer the following week include a three-four hour trek on the Tuahu trails in the Kaimai Mamaku ranges. Meet end of Hot Springs Rd, Katikati, at 9.15am.

For details, call Marie 07 863 4845. There’s strolls on Wednesday, March 11, by the Katikati Walking Group, which leaves George Vesey Stewart Park at

9am, For details, call Jean 07 549 1159. Bush-lovers will have a chance to discover hidden gems on their backdoor at Otanewainuku reserve with guided walks on Thursday from 9.45am.

Bookings are required, call Kea on 07 552 5257, or see the park after dark and discover interesting creatures including cave wetas via gold coin donation to Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust. Meet at the carpark at 7.30pm. For details, call 07 578 0016. For more, see www.sportbop.co.nz/playinthebay

By Hamish Carter

A classic battle of Bay triathletes A tightly congested leader board heading into the final race in the Eves Triathlon series has all the makings for a great battle in the Coronation Classic.

M

AR

CH - WAL

MARCH is WALK Month

K

A competitor on the cycle leg during the Pilot Bay Classic, part of the Eve’s Triathlon Series.

This Sunday’s event, Round 3 of the annual series, looms as a pivotal event for athletes keenly chasing current event leaders Matilda Lawrence and Aiden Dunster, in front after the opening two rounds.

The Coronation Classic is a trio of triathlons attracting competitors to compete in the sprint distance – 750m swim, 16km bike, 5km run – and super sprint distance of a 375m swim, 8km bike, 2.5km run.

Competitors swim in Pilot Bay, bike around Mount Maunganui’s industrial area and finish with a run from Coronation Park, around Mauao Base Track, and back.

Team Shorebreak director Sheryl McLay says Lawrence leads the women’s standings ahead of Deirdre Lack in second place and Debbie Clarke third, while in the men’s Aiden Dunster currently edges Tony Emett and Hayden Moorhouse.

But all top five athletes in both divisions hold the glimmer of finishing with overall honours based on the finishing order and time differences come Sunday.

“Absolutely anything could happen this time.”

Pre-entry numbers are high, Sheryl attributes to strong support from the Bay’s triathlon community.

The event also doubles as The Yeah Right Schools event, which is going ahead despite not being a sanctioned event unlike last year’s BOP Secondary Schools Senior Triathlon Championships.

Broken into Under 19s, Under 16s and Under 14s, students race across a variety of distances with teams entering the Sprint Distance teams’ event.

Racing starts at the earlier time of 7.30am this Sunday, due to the Oceans 15 event’s final day at Mount Maunganui Main Beach.

By Luke Balvert

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The Weekend Sun

Helen Barnard.

Staying proud of property management portfolio Property management can be a high stress job, full of challenges and curve balls.

But the one thing Helen Barnard is most proud of with her company – Barnard Property Management Ltd – is the stability of their portfolio.

Helen feels very privileged and thrilled to work with the company’s tenants. She puts the good relationship between her property managers and renters down to great communication and clear expectations.

“We’re very communicative

and our tenants respond to that,” says Helen. “We treat others how we would like to be treated.”

Helen’s company also has terrific landlords who care for their tenants which helps maintain their great reputation, says Helen.

She is proud of her ‘Supreme Dream Team’ and is delighted with their newest addition – Nina Avent. “She’s well and truly entrenched now and is loving the challenge,” says Helen.

The company is coming to the

Learning law for free during lunchtime Free lunchtime seminars are being introduced at Baywide Community Law Centre to educate the Tauranga community about their rights and the changing laws.

“We call it Law for Lunch,” says Beverley.

They will cover different law topics, including consumer law, wills and powers of attorney, family trust, employment law and more. Beverley says they’ll

barking dogs, biting dogs, what you do when your neighbour’s dog keeps coming and messing on your lawn.

“We also have someone coming from Holland Beckett Lawyers to discuss residential care subsidies and we’re trying to get Beverley Edwards from someone to come in Baywide Community from WINZ to talk Law Centre says laws are about benefits.” changing all the time, so Beverley and the team the seminars are to keep at Baywide Community people up-to-date with the Law Centre are excited changes. to celebrate their 10th “If you know your rights anniversary, with a then you can guard against brand new premises getting exploited. If people The team at Baywide Community Law Centre. featuring bigger board don’t know their rights, rooms and facilities to be inviting external experts to they don’t know if they’re being host their education sessions. co-present the seminars alongside ripped off.”

To book your spot in the free Baywide lawyers.

The seminars will be held at seminars, contact Baywide Com“We have an animal control lunchtime from 12.15pm to 1pm munity Law Centre today. representative coming from every first and third Wednesday

By Zoe Hunter Tauranga City Council to discuss at the law centre on Willow St.

end of its 12-month community campaign that Helen and her team came up with last April.

The aim of the campaign is to give back to the community that has supported the company.

It works by staff donating one month’s commission to a charity of the client’s choice, when a new client

places their property in the care of the team.

Helen says the campaign has helped more than three dozen charities and organisations.

“It’s been such a blessing and success that we’re thinking of possibly extending the campaign.”

By Zoe Hunter

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The Weekend Sun

Teen jumps on board antidomestic violence campaign Happy Happy Feet Feet early early CHildCare Centre CHildCare Centre

BeFore BeFore & & aFter aFter sCHool programme sCHool programme

Danika Hotham believes the Family Violence – It’s Not OK campaign will be an amazing way to raise awareness in the community about domestic violence.

The 18-year-old has just finished Year 13 at Mount Maunganui College is one of five champions that will face the month-long campaign in Papamoa next month.

“I decided to become a champion for this campaign because over the years, with my mum being a counsellor, I have spent a bit of time with her learning about many issues in society – domestic violence being one of them.

“I think this campaign is going to be an amazing way of raising the awareness in our community of this issue as it is generally very hidden and there are so many

people out there, especially those my age, who are simply unaware of what is going on, so I would like to do all I can to support this cause.”

While Danika hasn’t been in direct contact with domestic violence herself, she’s had friends she’s worried about in the past and says she found it extremely hard to know what to do.

“I think those are some very tricky situations to be in, but personally the advice I would give would just be to stop keeping these situations as the hidden secrets buried in the back of the closet like they tend to be,” says Danika.

“I think the most important first step, and quite possibly the hardest also, would be where you stop tip-toeing around that person or situation and you start to bring it Danika is the youngest champion out into the open.” of the Papamoa campaign.

Danika says the worst thing you Photo by Bruce Barnard. can do when faced with a situation like this, is nothing. By Letitia Atkinson

Summer fashion bargains An exciting range of new fashions and summer season sales is at Fashion Island.

Nestled in Papamoa, the array of outlet stores offer a large range of clothes and items at bargain prices, as well as new season fashions – making it a fantastic option for style and savings.

The Weekend Sun has a $30 Fashion Island voucher to give away to a lucky reader who can tell us where Fashion Island is located?

Enter online at www. sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section.

Entries must be received before Wednesday, March 4.

Caring for everyone in the community With new building consents on the rise, expansion at Papamoa Plaza and a whole raft of events underway for the coming months, Papamoa is making all the right moves for the community.

A caring community encompasses all sections of the residents, including the vulnerable.

In association with the Papamoa Support Centre and the national ‘It’s OK to ask for help’ campaign Papamoa is hosting the first high-profile family fun day to highlight the caring nature of the Papamoa Community.

Held this year at Papamoa Plaza, behind McDonalds, the community will gather to recognise the support that is available for those most vulnerable members of our community.

In particular, those that have been subjected to any form of domestic violence – the support is available now to assist those in need. Champions are everywhere in the community – having the courage to ask for help will start the change. See you there.

Papamoa Progressive Association is hosting Mayor Stuart Crosby at the next meeting on Monday, March 9.

This meeting will include an AGM and a chance to ask the Mayor and current councillors, including new ward councillor Leanne Brown, the questions you have been holding on to – waiting for the right opportunity.

Entry is free (as always) and is held at 7.30pm Monday, March 9, at Gordon Spratt Reserve Sports and Recreation Centre.

Come along for an entertaining insight into the running of our council.

Progress, engagement and caring for the locals – this is why we love being here.

ON NOW AT YOUR NEAREST BENDON OUTLET STORE fashionisland.co.nz 42 Gravatt Road, Papmoa

BENDONLINGERIE.CO.NZ/STORES

*Offer valid until Tuesday 17th March at Bendon Outlets only. Prices as marked on sale items. Excludes basics, shapewear, accessories, permanent markdowns and selected styles.

Offer cannot be used in conjuction with any other offer. No further exclusions apply. Discount does not apply to the purchase of Gift Vouchers or Gift Cards.

The Weekend Sun

27

Domestic violence not okay in officer’s book Working on the frontline for nearly 20 years, Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto has seen it all.

He knows first-hand the effect domestic violence can have on a person and their surrounding families.

That’s why the ‘Police Ten 7’ host is ready to jump on board, boots and all, and be one of five champions for the Papamoa Family Violence – It’s Not OK campaign.

Being launched with a family fun day and march in Papamoa on March 1, the campaign aims to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Rob says everyone know domestic violence happens, it’s about stopping it from continuing.

“It’s a very worthy cause and something, as a policeman, we support 100 per cent.”

Rob works in the safe office as the child protection

team in Tauranga, the same team that’s helping to organise the campaign.

“Constable Natasha Snowden asked if I could have a look once they had put the campaign together and I was more than happy to get involved,” says Rob. “Through work I have seen hundreds of families affected by family violence and the It’s Not OK campaign is an important way to let victims and people in that environment know that there are options available.”

Rob recalls one incident of domestic violence from when he was working in Counties Manukau.

A woman who’d been assaulted several times by her partner. She’d call for help and he would run away.

Rob says they continued to look for the offender but it just wasn’t working. “I ended up hiding in the pantry because we knew he was going to come back

A ‘unique’ combination of natural talent Hardy’s Organic Papamoa has “Almost any condition can be treated with herbal medicine and gathered together a team of healherbs can stimulate, support, ers that’s probably unique in repair, nourish and heal,” says natural health.

Bruce.

Owner Bruce Hart says Marion Olsen has been with each talent is individual but Hardy’s Organic for the last 10 they also complement each years and manager for the last other forming a valuable overlap for individual clients.

The ‘unique’ Hardy’s Organic Papamoa team. five. “She’s recently completed her level 3 NZQA and is a Bruce has studied Dr Royal system devised to locate and release certified health consultant, being Rife – who discovered the cancer trapped bone pressure. the go-to in-store supplement microbe then used amplified “This pressure is triggered and specialist.” frequencies to destroy it – and Dr held by surprise impact combinaLinda Macnamara is a qualified Hulda Clarke, who expanded his tions, causing shortened harder massage therapist and aromawork. ligaments, tendon and muscle therapist, gaining qualifications Bruce believes he’s obtained facia,” says Bruce. at Wellpark College. “Her belief the most powerful and advanced Niki Mikkelsen is a registered is that the road to wellness is a frequency technology available, clinical medical herbalist. Foljourney of many parts, and the capable of achieving a vast array lowing in-depth private health of healing outcomes.Brock Van consultations, Niki prescribes herbs therapeutic qualities of aromatherapy and massage can be part of Leuuwen is trained in Contact and supplements specific to each the end result.”

Care Flintlock Release Therapy – a individual.

and assault her. “He had already broken a spade over her back and she didn’t want to leave the house.”

Rob had to hide for several hours, but they eventually got the guy and the woman was able to move on with her life.

By Letitia Atkinson

Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto has seen first-hand the effect of domestic violence.

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The Weekend Sun

Making charity donations before March 31 With a 33 per cent tax credit available on all donations made by March 31, Acorn Foundation’s operations manager Margot McCool is hoping many will see the benefit of joining the growing list of residents joining the foundation to support the region’s most worthy charities and organisations.

“Now is a good time to make a donation to your favourite charity, or to the Acorn endowment fund.

“Because charitable donations can qualify for a one-third tax credit, up to the value of your taxable income.

“And if you donate before March 31, the tax credit can be claimed back straight away, which makes good financial sense.”

Margot says Acorn Foundation provides a unique vehicle to ensure Bay of Plenty charities receive a reliable annual

income stream, for them to spend where it’s most needed.

“At the Acorn Foundation we have a unique model that sees the money from donations pooled and invested, with the interest used to support local charities.”

Margot says the key to growing the fund is by not spending the capital.

“Acorn is growing a pool of funds that will provide some amazing support and facilities for future generations in this region to enjoy because when everybody’s donations are pooled together, and the capital invested in perpetuity, the capital base will just keep on growing.”

She says this means the funds available to distribute across the community will also keep growing, every year.

For more information on how you can make a donation before March 31 and take advantage of the 33 per cent tax credit, visit acornfoundation.org.nz, or phone Acorn on 07 579 9839.

Acorn Foundation donors provide scholarships to Outward Bound, to develop young people.

Outpouring of goodwill in Tauranga Kindess is always fashionable according to Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr, the eminently quotable British novelists.

Well it is for Josh of Tauranga, whichever way he looks at it. Josh featured in The Weekend Sun article last week about the crippling cost of school uniforms.

Josh started the new school year in the same threadbare shorts and ill-fitting shirts he wore last year. His cash-strapped Mum, like dozens of other parents, simply couldn’t afford a new uniform for her son.

But since the article, Tauranga Budget Advisory Service’s Diane Bruin says a woman has called, offering two uniforms for Josh – one Year 11 and a Year 13 size.

Another woman, Sarah, “was moved by this woman trying her best”, and offered a flash $90 school windbreaker with the logo that was only a pipe dream for Josh and his Mum – even though she’d have sacrificed everything to give him one. Local largesse continued to flow. Tara messaged The Sun after reading our story too. She didn’t like the idea of Josh missing out either.

“I’ll put $100 in the school account against his name for school trips,

Support your community

sports costs or I could pay for his school shorts.”

In the same edition was an enterprising pitch for a job by Luke Bright.

Luke’s lives with epilepsy and wants to work free for someone, so he can pick up some skills.

As a result of the story Luke’s already done volunteer work at the Friday Night Markets and there will be more. He has a couple of ongoing gardening gigs and he’s talking to a chap about some property maintenance work.

A young man who has the will and just needs a hand up is on a roll.

Luke Bright has received work offers since his story in last week’s The Weekend Sun.

Tauranga Budget Advisory Service’s Diane Bruin has received offers to help Josh with school uniforms.

Donate before 31 March ...

Mount Beach Bald - Sign Up Now!

Makaerk m

AND GET A 33.3% TAX CREDIT Inspiring generosity. For our community - Forever

www.acornfoundation.org.nz

Saturday 7th March, 11am Main Beach, Mt Maunganui Sign up at childcancer.org.nz

The Weekend Sun

29

Children can snap outdoors to win Kiwi school children are being encouraged to snap photos, draw pictures and share creative descriptions of their favourite outdoor places in the 2015 Top Outdoor Spot competition.

The competition is run on the New Zealand Walking Access Commission’s Both Sides of the Fence education website to March 20.

Both Sides of the Fence is a curriculum-aligned

website encouraging students up to Year 8 to think about the value of access to the outdoors as part of the Kiwi way of life.

It supports English and social sciences learning areas and EOTC activities, including school camps and field trips.

NZWAC chief executive Mark Neeson says the competition provides teachers with an entertaining and educational means of raising awareness of responsible behaviour in the outdoors.

“The competition aims to get children thinking about why they value the outdoors and why our access culture and heritage is so important.

“Many schools run camps and other outdoor activities during Term 1 and the Both Sides of the Fence website is an engaging way for teachers to inform children about responsible behaviour when accessing the outdoors.”

The 2015 competition includes a new prize category Best Drawing and improved prizes, thanks to generous sponsorship.

The students who contribute the Best Photo, Best Drawing and Best Description will each win a prize pack including an Apple iPad mini, a $60 Wild South Clothing

Courses to keep youngster’s health on track Children’s health is a top priority for families – and one way to ensure you’re on the right track is with a Cadence Health & Nutrition course.

Cadence Health NZ’s Glenise Cooper says a range of their upcoming courses focus on specific areas of children’s health.

“We’re a provider of community education which believes knowledge is power.

“Some people take the courses as a career move while others do them to help their family and friends – and the more information we can get out there, the better.”

Distance Mode courses include nutrition for fertility, pregnancy and lactation, a certificate of childhood diet and nutrition, and nutrition psychology.

Plus there’s online courses too – nutrition for children, sugars and the sugar to fat myth, food psychology, the facts of abdominal fat and much more.

To find out more, see the Cadence Health NZ website.

voucher and a Dash day pack.

Their schools each win a $100 book voucher and 1L bottle of sun lotion.

Second and third place category winners receive prizes for themselves and their schools.

To enter, see bothsidesofthefence.org.nz

30

The Weekend Sun

Wrapping it up There have been many festivals and events during summer and I’ve been lucky to attend two quite opposite types.

One was an alcohol-soaked music-based three-day concert; the other a family-orientated multi-themed festival with inspired events and entertainment.

The numbers attending were much the same but the demand for gluten-free produced food was more noticeable at the last event.

It was at the recent Splore festival I rediscovered the simple art of pancake-making. When I recall that more than 20-plus years ago I was making crepe suzette on a gridiron or flambé trolley at the top restaurants in town – my how things have changed.

LIGHT MEAL

Falafel and buckwheat wrap Quick falafel patties

Gluten-free Makes 8-10 Ingredients 300g drained canned chickpeas ½ red onion, finely chopped ½ cup coriander, freshly chopped 1tsp cumin ¼ tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp minced garlic 1Tbsp fine polenta Salt and pepper Method Cover the chickpeas with water and boil until tender. Drain well and blend with all of the remaining ingredients. Form into shapes and cook on an oiled hot grill. The patties will form a nice crust. Once the right consistency adjust with extra polenta if required.

Buckwheat wrap ingredients 2 cups buckwheat ½ cup rice flour

These days I’ve been making gluten-free and dairy-free pancakes or wraps at festivals and learnt how tasty and easy they are to make.

With the addition of chia seeds they make for a versatile savoury wrap or you can leave the seeds out and have them as a sweet treat and serve with warmed berries.

With no eggs or milk to worry about, whipping up a batter is easy and you can make them thin by spreading them out as quick as you can with a spatula on a hot grill plate or heavy steel pan.

There are loads of fillings you can use for your wraps – and gluten-free falafel is a favourite.

¼ cup chia seeds (please note: these can cause severe allergic reactions in some people).

1Tbsp salt 2-3 cups water, to mix Method Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir in water until you have a batter like runny cream. Allow to stand overnight, or for at least four hours.

This allows the chia seeds and rice flour to swell and thicken slightly.

Spread the batter out as thin as you can, as fast as you can, on an oiled steel hotplate or heavy pan that’s starting to smoke.

Once the first side has browned turn over but try not to cook this side as much – keep it from going brown.

This helps to eliminate cracking as the unbrowned side is the side you can place your falafel and salad.

Cover any unused wraps for use later. They will keep for a few days in the fridge. For pancakes just leave out the seeds and add more buckwheat and a pinch of baking powder for a thicker mix.

Ph 0508 KIWIFRESH (0508 549 437)

31

The Weekend Sun

Swapping seeds at Sydenham Keen growers are invited to trade seeds, plants and inspiration with like-minded gardeners at Sydenham Botanic Park this month, as part of the Sustainable Backyards Programme 2015.

Gardeners peruse plant cuttings at a previous Swapfest.

Developed by a community advisory group, Sydenham Botanic Park is hosting its Sydenham Gardeners Swapfest 2015 on Sunday, March 22.

Park committee member Brian Hodge says people are encouraged to save seeds and take cuttings from their favourite flowers and vegetables for this fun event.

“It’s a chance for people gardening on a budget to increase their range, and for people with old favourites to share their seed, plants and knowledge.

“Whether you swap, give away, or sell is up to you.”

Brian says heritage plant seeds are often passed down through families. “Here’s an opportunity to share them more widely and make sure they aren’t lost.”

If possible, plants and seeds should be named and packaged to be taken away.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own table, gazebo or sun umbrella. A stand will cost a gold coin donation to the botanic park development.

It’s also a chance to view park development plans and have an input to how the park will be developed, with the latest project to get per-

What to sow and grow in March As February draws to a close and March approaches – keen gardeners may be wondering what they should be sowing and growing in their garden heading into a new month.

Sow chilli peppers and sweet peppers indoors now – and celery indoors from the middle of the month onwards.

Sow perennial herbs including lemon balm, rosemary, sage, oregano and thyme under cover.

Here’s a seasonal list of flowers, fruit, vegetables and seeds suggested to grow and harvest during the coming months from March.

In the greenhouse, sow summer bedding plants in a heated propagator including lobelia, busy lizzies, petunias and geraniums.

Greenhouse

Wildflowers

Outdoors, wildflower seed mixtures are great for bees and butterflies, and for adding colour too. Direct sow into well prepared soil now. Sow sweet peas outdoors where they are to flower.

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, aubergines need a long growing season so start the seeds off in the propagator now.

Start basil seeds off now on your kitchen windowsill, or for planting out after the risk of frost.

Sow brussel sprouts now under cover, as well as cauliflowers.

For greenhouse growing, sow cucumbers and gherkins in warmth now – and tomato seeds under glass for greenhouse cultivation.

Sow salad leaves in pots and place on the windowsill or in the greenhouse.

Or head outdoors, and start sowing beetroot directly into well prepared soil.

Sow broad beans directly into the ground now for a delicious summer crop.

Start to sow carrot seeds directly into light, stonefree soil. Direct sow summer and autumn cabbages including Red Jewel and Greyhound into well prepared beds outdoors.

Onion sets, garlic sets and shallots can be planted now, as well as rhubarb and strawberry plants.

By Zoe Hunter

TM

golas along the edges to support climbing vines.

Sydenham Gardeners Swapfest 2015 at Sydenham Botanic Park, on Millers Rd, will run from 1pm-4pm on March 22.

By Zoe Hunter

32 Footpath fanatics or pathway fantasy?

Let’s go one step further and pedestrianise the whole of main street, from roundabout to roundabout. There really is no need for traffic to use this section of road, shops have a service lane and there is plenty of parking all around.

Even better - ban the skateboards and bicycles as well.

N McMurray, Tauranga City.

The Weekend Sun

Ratepayers remain disgruntled This is my first editorial since mid-2013, and I feel compelled to resume writing because our local government representatives just aren’t listening to the ratepayer that pay their fees and salaries.

About 18 months ago voters threw out most of the sitting Tauranga City councillors, and we had such high hopes for a more functional council.

But it just hasn’t happened. TCC councillors might be more functional, but they have no vision. They are driven only by the level of debt, and neglecting to effectively control council costs.

The way to afford the debt is easy – get effectiveness and efficiency in the council’s bureaucracy. But no – staff numbers at TCC continue to rise, and they hide a lot of this by

separating off a lot of their operations into Council Controlled Organisations, like Bay Venues. Don’t be fooled – ratepayers are still paying the wages, which continue to balloon out of control.

Our regional council is much the same. Bay of Plenty Regional Council hide under the radar, allowing their Port shareholding to finance more and more of their operations.

There is no doubt that, with a 54.14 per cent ownership – through its fully own council owned Quayside Holdings Limited – the Port shareholding continues to make life very easy for the regional council.

Last week the Port declared its half yearly (normalised) profit of $38.5 million, and increased the dividend 4.8 per cent to 22 cents per share.

In 2014 they paid a total dividend of 50c per share, which yielded BOPRC – by

owning 73,687,536 shares – a cool $36.8m. And this is projected to increase to $40.6m in the current financial year.

BOPRC councillors and staff think they are doing really well, but unfortunately receiving $36m to $40m a year from Port dividends just hides a lot of inefficiencies.

I will drill down into staff numbers in a future publication; but for now ask our regional and city councillors: “What is it that you are doing to make a difference?”

Not a lot…regional council staff numbers have increased 13 per cent in the last two years, and yet they can’t show any added value for ratepayers. They are ineffective, and need to be made accountable to their ratepayers.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me at andrew@vond.co.nz

Will Morgan’s wonders never cease?

Why does Gareth Morgan think he knows what’s right for you and me?

We have just spent more than a year fighting the battle to keep the Treaty of Waitangi out of the constitution, because it is just so wrong for NZ.

It would be just like the gun law in the American Constitution (which they hate), talk about the elephant in the room that everyone has to bow and scrape to.

The Waitangi Tribunal has done nothing but cause grief since 1975 when another know-it-all Geoffrey Palmer got it all slipped through along with the so-called Waitangi principles set in concrete. Do we really want to go there again? Not to mention renaming NZ, it’s about as rubbish as changing the flag!

All these things cost so much money that we don’t have and what for?

Also he wants Te Reo compulsory in schools, No again. It could be optional in schools, but why should

we all have it rammed down our throats when many children can’t even spell, read or write English which they need just to get a job!

Wonders never cease - Morgan wants an Upper House of Parliament with 50/50 Maori representation too, now we really are getting into special privileges for the minority.

What’s gone wrong here with all these self-appointed gurus, maybe someone is paying him to say all this or he thinks he’s going to get a knighthood for it all!

New Zealand democracy where has it gone?

C Humphreys, Katikati.

English language petition promps questions Re: ‘What special privileges?’

(The Weekend Sun, February 20).

I give credit to Lyn Jarman for her queries about the petition at present circulating, concerning the status of the English language in NZ. But I think she may rest easy, surprisingly, in these days of dark, hidden agenda.

R. Bishop’s petition is precautionary, and some questions, to my mind, still need government answers.

English was the common language in use from about the mid 1800s. It simply wasn’t questioned, I expect, and became the de facto official language, for all

governmental purposes and just general usage.

For example, the prevailing, useful language, when as often as not there were no other written words available in the Maori language.

And why wasn’t the English language included at the official branding of the recent Maori and NZ Sign languages?

Maybe there is more reason to now question their ‘official’ branding? How and when and why it was organised?

To ask why these matters aren’t automatically the responsibility of the Government.

In the present case of the petition,

what possible problem could have arisen had English simply been left with its implied official standing?

Would the Government have just said: “Oops , sorry, you should have asked ?”

It strikes me as a very unresolved situation. I request our Member of Parliament Simon Bridges, sort this out for us and ensure the public is put in the picture clearly, promptly.

Tell us why it is necessary to have a petition at all?

Did the Maori and Sign language application require a petition? If not, why not ?

What procedure did they follow in order to achieve ‘official’ status?

D Holm, Otumoetai.

A heart-felt thanks to Tauranga On behalf of the Heart Foundation, I’d like to offer my warm thanks to everyone who kindly gave up their time to volunteer for us during Heart Week, our annual appeal.

The Heart Foundation is a charity and we rely heavily on everyday Kiwis to help us continue our fight against heart disease.

We are fortunate that so many people in the Western Bay of Plenty felt moved to support us by standing out in public with a bucket in hand, collecting donations last week. You helped make Heart Week a huge success.

I also want to thank each person who

dug deep and made a donation during Heart Week.

Your contribution means we can keep fighting heart disease in this country.

I can assure you that your donation will remain in this region.

Lastly, we are extremely grateful to all of the business owners who allowed us to collect donations outside their premises.

Thanks again to everyone for getting behind our cause during Heart Week.

Heart disease is still this country’s biggest killer but, together, we can change that.

If you haven’t been able to make a donation yet, it’s not too late. Call us on 0800 830 100 or see www.heartfoundation.org.nz/donate Sandy Ritchie, Heart health advocate.

Thank you

Do you have an issue or concern you think is worth raising?

The Weekend Sun welcomes letters and photographs.

Preference is given to short letters (200 words), supplied with the writer’s full name and contact details.

Photographs are best in high resolution and jpeg format.

Email: letters@thesun.co.nz

33

The Weekend Sun

NZ forces shouldn’t face Isis crisis Who governs this country? I thought that in a democracy we the citizens do. We have universal sufferage to elect members that respresent our interests in Parliament.

In Parliament debates are held and votes taken to decide outcomes and actions.

Not any more. The Prime Minister can decide to go to war without consulting Parliament.

He says it is not war. But to paraphase him: “It looks like war”, “Involves soldiers, gun and shooting and bombing”, “It quakes like war then it is war”.

The Prime Minister is guided or coerced by members of the ‘club’.

The British foreign minister called by to ensure we toed the line.

We have no say in the policies and actions of the club. The USA is not going to heed little old NZ if it is not what they want.

So we send our soldiers into perilous situations to satisfy this ‘club’ which has got itself into difficulties by meddling in the affairs of countries for their own selfish profits.

Had the Prime Minister consulted parliament this week, such a motion would have been lost due to the resignation of the member for North Auckland.

It may have been lost because some National Party members might have voted

party lines must know that at the next election they will be so far down the party list they will have no chance of returning to Parliament.

This being the case, we should do away with list MPs and just add the portional number of votes to each motion before Parliament. This would save considerable costs and have very little adverse effect on the debates and votes in parliament.

Also the Prime Minister, when faced with a difficult or embarrassing question, reverts to his Sargeant Schultz impersonation: “I know nothing”, blaming the failure of his extensive, personally-chosen department to keep him informed.

Going to war is not something that is popular with the general public so let’s divert their attention with casinos and yacht races. according to their conscience or wishes of Democracy may not be the most their electorate. efficient form of government but it is the When was the last time an MP crossed the most just we have devised to-date and to floor and voted against their own party? I see it usurped as it is today in New Zealand cannot recall. is painful and frustrating. Frustration left Marilyn Waring did years ago and got into unresolved leads to anarchy because the trouble but surely this is the object ofwww.pggwre.co.nz having citizens feel helpless to resolve injustices by representatives for electorates not just parties. any other means.

Any list MP with the guts to vote against P Dolden, Papamoa.

Business-as-usual just not enough Four issues become immediately apparent from the column, Cowley’s Confab, written by Tauranga City councillor Matt Cowley, (The Weekend Sun, February 20).

First, we are told Tauranga City Council is focussed on growth, the budget, and its effectiveness as a business. Surely, council’s responsibility to community should feature in this list.

Second, Matt explains TCC policy is that growth pays for growth. He immediately reports some additional costs of growth that are not paid for by growth, citing the additional rating costs that growth brings - about 2.5 per cent in 2015.

He might also have mentioned debt servicing

costs of unrealistic growth projections, a legacy issue. Third, doing business better appears to mean reconfiguring TCC to reduce its costs, personnel, and therefore its services. Interacting with council online seems unlikely to produce better services, although it might reduce a few costs. Finally, Matt portrays a notable absence of interest in environmental protection.

That environment includes quality of urban design and sustainable use of natural resources, both responsibilities of TCC and should be high priorities. Please Matt, streamlining businessas-usual is not enough.

Dr Ian G. McLean, Tauranga City.

Matt Cowley replies: The issues in last week’s column were: successfully managing growth; addressing legacy issues; and doing business better.

If council can successfully manage a growing city, it implies communities are healthy and engaged. Carefully managing our natural and physical resources plays a big role in achieving this.

For instance, the Southern Pipeline is an environmental initiative aimed at avoiding wastewater from overflowing into the harbour during storms.

Ian is correct that growth doesn’t entirely pay for growth as Parliament has made it impossible for councils to recover all the costs. Previous councils agreed to transfer $30 million of Tauranga’s growth-

related infrastructure to ratepayer debt because they didn’t recover all of the costs through development contributions. Council can do business better by joining the 21st Century. Technology will enable inspectors to approve building consents during onsite inspections.

But technology is not just about saving time and money. As 56 per cent of NZ’s population shops online, it’s crucial council uses technology to connect with residents in faster and more personalised ways than traditional means – such as classified notices in newspapers. I look forward to the ever-evolving community debate on what determines whether we are successfully managing a growing city.

Involvement is good Are we such a gutless nation that we are not willing to entertain a minuscule risk to ourselves to put an end to the horrendous activities of Isis?

When Germany invaded Poland in 1939 did the British say: “Let us not do anything to offend Hitler unless he attacks us?: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain had already tried that unsuccessfully.

The soldiers are more than willing to go there.

That’s why they joined the Army. They want to prove there worth.

When the Korean War broke out in 1950 my shipmates and I in the Royal New Zealand Navy were only too willing to go north and fulfil the role for which we were trained.Every sailor was a volunteer to serve.

I deplore those politicians who would make political capital by suggesting we have no responsibility for that part of the world and that in becoming involved we are only becoming pawns to the United States and Europe.

Bryan Johnson, Omokoroa.

Land sale not bright On February 26, Tauranga City Council’s elected members will be at the Mount Library to listen to community views on the future of the land council owns at 384-410 Maunganui Rd. As part of the land is a park, they would like to be able to sell it to reduce debt.

A good thought but what money is recovered would soon be gobbled up by the wages required to pay the job vacancies listed on their website.

I’m sure 11 vacancies wouldn’t leave much change out of $1 million. Doesn’t sound very bright to me.

R Cowper, Tauranga City.

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Dave McLaren B 07 571 5793 M 027 223 3366 H 07 573 6173 E dmclaren@pggwrightson.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

your

The current concept plan for the Omokoroa Skate Path project.

DISTRICT UPDATE

COMMUNITY GETS ITS SKATES ON

ISSUE 119 • 27 FEBRUARY 2015

2014 Winner

KATIKATI 2015

DAY OF DISCOVERY

Green Ribbon Awards Whatungaro te Tangata Toitu te Whenua

BIO BLITZ MARKS ESTUARY ANNIVERSARY

Katikati and its catchment will be soon be put under the microscope as specialist scientists and the public seek to discover more than 2400 species in 24 hours.

The Katikati BioBlitz 2015, on 6-7 March, is being organised by the Uretara Estuary Managers to mark their 10th anniversary as active advocates for the area.

From 10am families and individuals are invited to enjoy a unique opportunity to work with scientific experts and experience the multitude of different organisms in their environment.

Based at the Katikati Memorial Hall, teams of volunteers will head out to various predetermined sites to identify, or collect for identification, as many living organisms as possible, reporting back to base with

For more information on the skate path’s design visit www.skateomokoroa.org.nz

findings and specimens, where they will be recorded.

Driving the project is Bay of Plenty scientist and experienced BioBlitzer, Peter Maddison, who hopes to find rare organisms during the event.

“We will be looking at sample areas from the top of the Kaimai Range to the harbour and recording everything from bacteria and fungi, insects and birds, to native and exotic plants, both on land and in the water.”

To register email Sue Morris at suemorris60@gmail.com or Janet Price at janetplanet54@gmail.com with K2B2 in the subject line.

With community vision, sustainability and unique recreation at heart – a group of skate boarding enthusiasts are bringing a one-of-a-kind facility to Omokoroa. The Omokoroa Community Skate Group (OCSG), in partnership with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, is busy working to create an environmentally sustainable skate path for the community - the first for the region.

The Omokoroa Skate Path, to be located on the corner of Western Avenue and Omokoroa Road, is the first stage of a comprehensive development at the Omokoroa Sports Grounds. OCSG member Ben Bell says the concept of a skate path rose from

children of Omokoroa, who suggested it as part of the redevelopment of the sports grounds.

“We wanted to do something different, but that would tie in with our environmental and community goals,” says Ben. “As well as providing a destination for skaters and other riders, the vision is to create a facility that will enhance recreational opportunities for all ages, is family focused and will contribute to the already beautiful environment of Omokoroa.”

The Skate Path will be part of a wider design, including a future playground and picnicking spaces to help bring people together in an active

and safe environment. Council and the Omokoroa Community Board have contributed the majority of funding for the path, and the group are seeking the remaining funds through community grants. An initial design has been created by Rich Landscapes designer Richard Smith, who says environmental factors were applied heavily to the design process.

“The path will feature natural drainage elements to mitigate water runoff. Runoff will make use of the large lawn area and allow natural seepage into the soil, while potential garden areas in the playground will maximise education and play.”

SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY

More than 70 community events celebrating sustainability are planned for the region during March, as the Sustainable Backyards initiative reaches 10 years.

Community organisations, businesses and individuals committed to sustainability, restoring the environment and building strong resilient communities, will be

celebrated and supported.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, with workshops, talks, film screenings, working bees, walks, festivals and neighbourhood get-togethers.

Try out the Autumn Harvest SwapFest at the Te Puke Community Garden on 15 March. There’ll be cycle-powered smoothies, and a swap and trade table for plants, seeds, preserves and more.

The month concludes with a Decadent Dessert Night at the Kati KaiWay in Katikati, to mark Earth Hour from 8pm-9pm on 28 March.

The full programme is available at www.envirohub.org.nz or pick up a copy from the Katikati Community Centre or library.

ROAD RESEALING PLANNED Tack a little extra travelling time onto your journeys next week, as the final week of the NZ Transport Agency’s road reseal programme gets underway.

FIRE PERMITS UPDATE

Next week motorists travelling on State Highway 2 between Tauranga and Katikati are likely to experience moderate delays, with up to five reseal sites in place between the south end of Katikati township and the Omokoroa Rd turnoff.

Western Bay Moana Rural Fire Authority is currently issuing fire permits to Western Bay residents on a restricted basis.

Hot dry weather forced Principal Rural Fire Officer, Alan Pearce, to reinstate a suspension on all fire permits on 17 February. The region has since experienced enough rain to allow Alan to lift the suspension this week. “More rain is predicted in the next week, so I hope this will further lower the fire risk.”

Please keep up to date with fire permit conditions at www.westernbay.govt.nz

Motorists travelling on SH2 between Katikati and Waihi are likely to experience delays, with up to three reseal sites in place between the Athenree Gorge and the Bridgman Lane turnoff.

For more information visit www.nzta.govt.nz

WWW.WESTERNBAY.GOVT.NZ

PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, QUERY, COMPLAINT OR COMPLIMENT ABOUT ANYTHING TO DO WITH COUNCIL AND ITS SERVICE, PLEASE CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICES TEAM

CALL 07 571 8008

EMAIL: CUSTOMERSERVICE@WESTERNBAY.GOVT.NZ TE KAUNIHERA A ROHE MAI I NGA KURI-A-WHAREI KI OTAMARAKAU KI TE URU

IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT

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PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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34

35

The Weekend Sun

E N T E R T A I N M E N T G U I D E The Weekend Sun’s ever popular guide to ‘What’s On’ in the Bay.

Friday 27 February

NZ Masters Athletics Championships

Feb 27, 28 & 29 at Tauranga Domain Feb 27 from 4pm. 400m, 3000m, 5000m & throwing events. Feb 28 from 9.30am.

More track & field events. March 1 from 9am. Multi events - track & throws pentathlons. Spectators welcome. No charge.

Oceans 15 Under 14 national surf lifesaving championships at Mt Maunganui Main Beach Feb 27 - March 1.

About 800 national surf lifesavers aged 10-14 taking part.

Saturday 28 February

Art in the Park Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui 8.30am – 5pm, weather permitting. Tauranga Society of Artists offer for sale a variety of art to suit all tastes.

Battle of Gate Pa Exhibition Tauranga Moana Maori Trust Board Hall, No 3 The Strand. Open every Fri, Sat & Sun & on cruise ship days 10am - 4pm. Free entry for children. Adults, gold coin donation.

Baypark Family Speedway BOPSA Points Night/+ Mini Stock Bay Champs. www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz Come Dancing Tonight Sequence & old time dancing at Greerton Hall 7.3011pm. Great music & supper. Entry $6.

All welcome. Run by Tauranga Scottish Soc. Nola 576 5076 Greerton Hall Market Crafts, plants, produce, bric-a-brac 8am – 12pm. Merv/ Nancy 07 863 6697 Ha Derech/The Way Messianic Kehilat

Now at Hillier Centre, Bayfair Shabbat/ Saturday 10am. A one new man community & welcome all seekers of the truth.

544 7424 or 021 0226 3515 Katikati Tramping Club Mangorewa Ecological Reserve 8.30an start. Bring (lge size) socks to wear over shoes/boots for walk down the very slipper Mangorewa Stream. 5 hrs. Moderate.

Let’s Dance Ballroom & Latin Dance Club Second Sat of month at Bethlehem

Hall 7-10.30pm. Live dance tempo music.

Bruce 576 5598 Papamoa Dog Walking Group Starts today, then fortnightly thereafter. Meet at the Gym side of Papamoa Plaza 9am. 1 hour walk through water-ways & beach.

Coffee after optional. Jill 574 0062 Produce Share Table At Envirofest, Mt Drury 3-7pm. Bring along produce to share, or plants, seedlings, seeds. Gold coin entry to the event. www.ooooby.ning. com/group/tauranga or Carina 021 064 9814 Quiz Night At 16th Ave Theatre 7.30pm. Free admission, limited numbers. Register (teams 4-8) by email 16thplaygroup@gmail.com Scavenger Hunt As part of Play in the Bay’s walk month. Held at Envirofest, Mt Drury 3-6pm. Scavenger Hunt is free, but there is a gold coin entry into the Enviro Fest.

Taichi Qingong Every Sat at Memorial

MUSIC

SPECIAL EVENTS

News, reviews and opinionated raving on the music scene. pg37

Community events and occasions across the Bay. made. 575 9911 mountmaunganui.org.nz

Park between mini golf & playground 10am. Free to join in.

Taoist Tai Chi Renovate your body, challenge your mind - the perfect way to start your weekend. Beginners class every Sat at 15 Koromiko St, Judea 9-10.30am. John 576 9836 Tauranga Farmers Market Tauranga Primary School cnr 5th Ave & Cameron Rd every Sat 7.45am - 12pm. Fresh & artisian produced food. Trixie 552 5278 or www. taurangafarmersmarket.co.nz Tauranga Fuchsia Group At Te Puna Quarry Park 11.30am for a picnic lunch meeting. Pat 579 1655 Tauranga Quadcopter Racing Fpv club & social group. Every Sat 8am. Locations vary. Quadcopterracing@yahoo.co.nz Te Puke Art Society Gallery Open Constables Gallery, Commerce Lane 9.30am - 1.30pm. All art for sale.

Village Radio Community radio broadcasting from Tauranga Historic Village 1368 kHz AM. Music of 1920’s - 80’s weekends 9am - 5pm, weekdays 10am - 5pm. Specialty programmes. www. villageradio.co.nz or 571 3710

Sunday 1 March

All Ford Day Car Show 16th

annual event, at Blake Park, Mt Maunganui. Vehicles on display from 10am 3pm. Activities for the kids. Food & drink available. Prize-giving for vehicle entrants 3pm. Adult $5, children under 14 free. www.fordmusclecars.org.nz

Bay Bible Fellowship/Lord’s Day

Welcome Bay Primary School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Rd 10am. Colossians 2:5-7 “Doing battle for the church.” Richard Roodt. www.bbf.net.nz Bible Seminars Every Sun at Greerton Senior Citizen’s Hall, Maitland St, Greerton 1.45pm. Title: “The Bible’s accurate predictions - world superpowers.”

Interactive, Q&A. Refreshments provided.

Vic 543 0504 Children’s Day Katikati Primary School, Beach Rd 3-5pm. Free admission. Games, dancing, stories, pizza, gifts, face painting.

Fun for the whole family. Gaye 577 1753 www.christinaproductions.co.nz Coronation Classic (Triathlon) At Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui 7.30-11am.

Czech School For children with Czech/ Slovak background every Sunday at Arataki Community Centre 10am - 12pm except school holidays. Kindy takes place at same time, suitable for small children.

New members welcome. www.facebook. com/csclubtauranga, email info@csclubtauranga.nz or Jana 579 3918.

“Keep the Scene Clean” Litter working bee 9.30-11.30am. Meet at Anzac Bay carpark, Bowentown. Wear covered in footwear & High-vis vests if you have one.

Mount Mainstreet Farmers Market

Every Sun in Phoenix car park 9am - 1pm.

Fresh fruit & veges, breads, cheese, oils, plants & more. All home grown & home

Papamoa March Against Family Violence Family fun day on the

grassed area behind McDonalds at Papamoa Plaza 9am - 12pm. Come & show your support. Free stuff, barbecue, competitions & more. 0800 456 450 Petanque Every Sun & Thurs at Cliff Rd 12.45pm. Boules available, tuition given.

1st 3 visits free. 578 3606 Quakers in Tauranga Change of venue today only. Meet in a private home 10am for an hour of mainly silent worship followed by tea & talk. For venue details 578 7119

Radio Controlled Model Power Boats

Racing at Lake Taurikura off Taurikura Drive in the industrial area of The Lakes subdivision 10am. Follow the RC Boat signs. Brian 548 1334 Radio Controlled Model Yachts Meet Sun 1.30pm & Thurs 5.30pm at pond behind 24 Montego Drive, Papamoa, to sail electron & similar 3ft long yachts for fun. Graham 572 5419 Tauranga Historical Society Jazz in the garden at Brain Watkins House from 2pm. Music from the Silver Tones. Stalls, afternoon tea.

Tauranga Night Market Bayfair Shopping Centre, cnr Maunganui Rd & Girven Rd, Mt Maunganui 5.30-11pm.

Arts, crafts, jewellery, fresh produce, food stalls & more. Free entry. 022 588 2282 or email: tauranganightmarket@hotmail.com Tauranga Spiritual Society Clairvoyant: Trixie May Moss. Senior Citizens Hall, 14 Norris St. Doors open 6.30pm for 7pm start. Members $3, non $5. 022 067 0467

Weekend Activities for the Over 60’s

Walks, dinners, day trips & good times.

Gloria 544 1834

Monday 2 March

Achieve Toastmasters Making it on

Mondays. 1st, 3rd & 5th Mon at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Brookfield, Tga 7.30pm. Chrissy 543 9493 Bay of Plenty Pipes & Drums Army Hall, cnr 11th Ave & Devonport Rd 6.45pm. Annette 577 9272 Bethlehem Bowls Every Mon at Bethlehem Hall, Main highway 7.15pm. First 3 nights free. Young or old welcome. Wendy 578 2585 Body & Soul Fun Fitness For over 50’s, social events & guest speakers. Mon & Fri Greerton Hall Cameron Rd. Tues Wesley Church Hall, 13th Ave. Weds City Church cnr Otumoetai Rd/Sherwood St. Thurs at Tauranga Senior Citizens Hall, Norris St behind Pak n Save. All classes 9.15-10.15am. Friday 6 March - guest speaker after class - Peter Washer, lawyer.

First class free. For men & women.

Dianne 576 5031 Qualified Instructor/ Cardiac Care leader.

Cancer Society Mix & match open talks at 111 Cameron Rd, Tauranga 10-11.30am. 571 2035

OUT THERE Stories, snippets, strangeness, and general entertainment. pg39 Cherrywood Probus Meet 2nd Mon of month at Tauranga Citizens Club, 13th Ave 10am. New members welcome. Pam 578 3757 Chess Mt Maunganui Mount RSA Chess Club every Mon at Mount RSA, 544 Maunganui Rd. Juniors 6.15-7.15pm during school term. Open club 6pm & 7.30pm onwards. Noel 579 5412 Citizens Advice Bureau Free, confidential info & advice about anything call in Mon - Fri at 38 Hamilton St, Tauranga 9am 5pm or free-phone 0800 367 222 or 578 1592. JP service every Mon 1-4pm, Weds & Thurs 9am - 11.30am. Weds CAB service at Welcome Bay Community Centre 9.30am - 12.30pm, Fri at Mount Library 11.30am - 1.30pm. Migrant Clinics Tues - Fri 1-4pm.

Civic Choir Tauranga Every Mon at Wesley Church, 13th Ave, Tauranga 7.30pm. New members welcome. Heather 575 9092 Creative Fibre Meet every 1st, 3rd & 5th Tues at Omokoroa Settlers Hall, Omokoroa Rd 9.30am - 2pm. Marie 579 1230 Fitness League Safe effective, low impact fun exercise set to music using the Bagot Stack technique, designed for women of all ages & abilities. First class free. Every Mon at Settlers Hall Omokoroa 9.30am & Tues St Johns Anglican Church Waihi 9.30am. Dorothy 549 3378 Free Budget Course Learn how to budget, save & spend wisely.

March 9, 16 & 23 at Holy Trinity Church, 3rd Ave, Tauranga 7pm.

578 7718 or cap@holytrinitytauranga.com Junction Mental Health Peer support & advocacy: coffee & chat 10am - 12pm.

Junction 579 9890 Learn to Dance With the Monday night dancers at St Pats Hall, Beatty Ave, Te Puke. Dance tuition from 6.30pm then sequence dancing until 8.30pm approx.

Sequence dancing for beginners & improvers. $3pp. Gordon 572 0060 Meditation Group Free classes Mon 10am & Weds 7.30pm. Find peace, spiritual awareness & the meaning of your life.

David 576 9764 Omanu Bowling Club Twilight bowls every Mon 6-8pm. Flat shoes essential.

Recycled Teenagers Gentle exercise for 50’s forwards, & injury or illness rehabilitation. Mon & Weds at 14 Norris St, Tauranga Citizen’s Club behind Pak n Save. Tues at St Mary’s Church Hall cnr Girven Rd & Marlin St, all classes 9-10.30am.

Classes taken by qualified instructor. First class free. Jennifer 571 1411 Snooker At Mt Maunganui RSA every Mon 12.15pm & Weds 6.15pm. New members welcome, tuition available. Keith 021 170 2394 St Columba Indoor Bowling Club Every Mon at Church Hall, 502 Otumoetai Rd. Names in by 7.15pm for 7.30pm start.

GUIDE The Weekend Sun’s guide to who’s playing and where.

Entry $2. New members welcome. Paul 576 6324 Tauranga Brass Meet at Frontiersmen’s Hall, Elizabeth St West 7-9pm. New players welcome. Some instruments available. Peter 572 4358 Tauranga Creative Fibre Every Mon at Arts Centre, Elizabeth St from 9.30am.

Spinning, weaving, felting, knitting, crochet & more. Learn & share in a mutually supportive club. Also on Thurs evening twice a month. Joan 577 6781 Tauranga Library Friends Tauranga Library 5.30pm. “What have you been reading?” Led with reviews by 2 members.

Tea/coffee. Visitors & new members welcome. Betty 542 4322 Tauranga Open Support Group Support for those with a cancer diagnosis & their partners/support persons. 2nd Mon of month at Cancer Society Rooms, 111 Cameron Rd, Tauranga 1.30-3pm. 571 2035 Tauranga UFO & Paranormal Soc Meet in hall behind Historic House cnr Cameron Rd & Elizabeth St 7.30pm. News & discussion. Visitors welcome. Door $3.

Ian 578 5373 Theatre Club Nights First Mon of month at Litt Park Theatre, Park Lane, Te Puke 7pm. Learn about theatre without any pressure to ‘perform’. Jim 575 8977 Twilight Bowls Every Mon at Bowls Matua, 108 Levers Rd 5.30pm start.

Bowls & tuition available. Flat shoes please, bare feet or jandals. $5 per evening.

576 9980 Water for the Soul Do you feel spiritually isolated? Study Genesis to Revelation in a way that comes alive. Join us for evening study, relationship & social times. Vivienne 571 5188 or 021 264 6002

Tuesday 3 March

ABC - Avenues Badminton Club

Every Tues at Tauranga Intermediate School Sports Centre. Juniors 6-7.30pm (term time). Seniors (Adults) 7.30-9.30pm. Club racquets & coaching available. Delwyn 027 212 4720

Alcoholics Anonymous Mt Maunganui.

Open meeting every Tues 11 Victoria Road St Peters Hall 7.30pm. 0800 229 6757 for more meetings or assistance.

Altrusa Club of Tauranga Women’s community service group. Dinner & business meeting 2nd Tues. Social programme 4th Tues - monthly. Interested? Denise 570 3134 Badminton (Social) Every Tues at Otumoetai Baptist Hall 9.30am - 12pm.

Racquets available. All welcome. Lorraine 579 3229 Bethlehem Pottery Club Open Tues, Weds, Thurs 10am - 3pm or when the flag is flying. Call in to meet the members & find out how to join or email: bethlehempottery@gmail.com

Continued...

36

The Weekend Sun

...Continued Excel Toastmasters Meet every 2nd, 4th & BOP Linux Users Share & learn about free

Open Source software & the Linux computer operating system. 1st Tues of month , LJ Hooker cnr Cameron Rd & 8th Ave 7-9pm.

Experts & beginners welcome. $2. 578 6024 www.boplug.co.nz Brookfield Walking Group Meet every Tues & Fri at St Stephens Church, Brookfield Tce, Otumoetai 9am. New members welcome.

Judy 576 6443 Cards 500 Every Tues & Thurs at Mt Maunganui Senior Citizens, 345 Maunganui Rd 1pm. 575 4650 Chen Wu Kuan Kung Fu Traditional Chinese shaolin Kung Fu developing strength, stamina & flexibility. Term 1 Juniors Tues/Thurs at the Martial Arts Academy, 154 First Ave West 5-6pm. Ray 022 0776 484, info@tmaa.co.nz Children’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Under the Gracie anti bullying programme. Term 1 Kids classes Tues/Thurs at the Martial Arts Academy, 154 First Ave West 578 5344, info@ tmaa.co.nz Depression Support Group Support for people with an experience of depression 1-2pm. Junction 579 9890 for info or if you need a ride.

Does Your Loved One have an Addiction?

Do you wonder what you can do? How to help? Hanmer Clinic Tauranga ‘Significant Other’ programme for spouses, partners etc of people who have an addiction. 7 weekly sessions starts March 24 - May 5 1-3pm at 1234 Cameron Rd, Tga. Free. 579 6470 or 0800 842 426

5th Tues of the month at Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Bayfair 6.15-8.30pm.

Learn leadership & public speaking skills.

Kaaren 572 5988 Home Instead Senior Care Community music event on March 3 is cancelled. Apologies.

Hwa Rang Tae Kwon Do Dynamic martial art suitable for the family ages 4 & up.

Term 1 kids/beginners classes 7 days from 4pm/Sat 9.30am. New class for 4-6yr olds Tues 3.45pm. The Martial Arts Academy, 154 First Ave West. Christine 021 980 878, info@tmaa.co.nz

Inachord Chorus Womens 4 Part Harmony Every Tues at Bethlehem Community

Church, 183 Moffat Rd 6.55pm. Enjoy the challenge of singing & performing varied repertoire. Cathy 579 2040 email: inachordchorus@gmail.com Israeli Dancing Beginners class every Tues at Gate Pa Primary School, Cameron Rd 7-8pm.

All ages welcome, no partner required. Maria 544 1680 or 022 165 2114 Mount Morning Badminton Every Tues at Mount Sports Centre, Blake Park 9am 12pm. Social, competitive, all ages, beginners welcome. Racquets available. Visitors $5 per session. Season commences March 3. Maxeen 575 0162

Orange City Square & Round Dance Club

Tues morning class 10am - 12pm, Weds Advanced, Thurs club night, 7.30pm. Frontiersmen’s Hall. 543 1063 Otumoetai Toastmasters Leadership skills,

speaking skills. At Lyceum Club rooms, 68 1st Ave 7.15-9.30pm. Alan 544 5989 Overeaters Anonymous Is your eating affecting the way you, or someone else, live your lives? Overeating, undereating - meet every Tues at Church of Christ, 1400 Cameron Rd 7-8pm. 544 1213 Petanque Twilight Tuesday’s at Club Mt Maunganui 5.30pm. All equip available but bring your own if you have it.

Bar snacks & meals available. 572 3768 Preschool Music Saintly Shakers every Tues at St Peter’s Church, Victoria Rd, Mt Maunganui 10am & every Thurs at St Mary’s Church, Bayfair 9.30am.

Bring your preschool children along for music, dancing, social interaction & morning tea. $3 per family. 575 9945 Seasons Group For children & youth who have experience of separated parents, or a family member having died or moved away. Meet every Tues or Thurs 4-5pm in Mt Maunganui. Children talk together about their loss or change.

Naudeen 021 766 769 or 07 213 0218 Separated Fathers Have you recently been served papers? Have you recently separated & don’t know who to turn to? We may be able to assist. Union of Fathers meet every Tues at 538 Fraser St, Tauranga 7.30pm. 928 4323 Sequence Dancing Tauranga Social & Leisure Club, St John’s Anglican Church Hall, 94 Bureta Rd, Otumoetai. Every Tuesday’s 7-9.30pm, second Tues of month 3-5.30pm.

Visitors welcome. John 578 9716 South City Bowling Club Club night & Aggregate starts, Greerton Hall 7.30pm.

New members welcome. Mary 541 0687 Take a Break with Craft Every 2nd Tues at Monowai St Chapel. All ladies welcome. Betty 574 3042

Tauranga Morning Badminton Club

Play for the season commences March 3 & thereafter every Tues & Thurs at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Memorial Park cnr 11th Ave & Devonport Rd 9-11.30am. Heather 574 0976 Tauranga Samba Practice nights every Tues at Mount Sports Club cnr Hull & Maunganui Rds 7-9pm. New members welcome. Kim 021 173 9416 Tauranga Tango Practica A great opportunity to practice Argentine Tango in an informal setting. At The Citz Club, 170 13th Ave (opp Boys College), Tauranga 7-9.30pm. Free of charge. www.facebook.com/tangointauranga Tauranga Toastmasters Tga Lyceum Club 7.15-9.30pm. Confidence building, speaking skills, leadership skills. Alan 544 5989

Wednesday 4 March

Age Concern Walking Group Meet at Historic Village gate, 17th Ave 10am.

All welcome. 578 2631

Alzheimers Fundraiser Movie Night

“Still Alice” based on bestselling novel of the same name. Alice must come face-to-face with a devastating illness: early-onset Alzheimers disease. At Rialto Cinema, Devonport Rd 7.15pm nibbles, 8pm movie screening. $15 per ticket. Purchase from Alzheimers Tga, 116 13th Ave, Tga. 577 6344 Badminton Every Weds at Mount Indoor Sports Centre 7-9pm. Trial it for free, then only $5pp. Racquets available.

Eve 021 906 481

Baywide Community Law Service

Drop in clinic every Weds at 63 Willow St 5-6.30pm. No appointment neces-

sary. Free legal assistance. 571 6812.

Every Tues morning at Te Puke Clinic.

For appointment 573 5614. Every 2nd Thurs morning at Katikati Clinic. For appointment 549 0399 Bowls Indoor Every Weds & Fri at Mt Maunganui Senior Citizens, 345 Maunganui Rd names in 12.45pm. 575 4650 Club Mt Maunganui Every Weds Indoor bowls stats tonight. Jim 572 1983

Fernlands Spa Water Exercise Classes Weds 10.45-11.45am. Held

rain or shine but not during school holidays. New participants planning to attend ph Jennifer 571 1411. Classes recommence March 11.

Free Legal Education Seminar

‘Law for Lunch’ held first & third Weds of month at Baywide Community Law, 63 Willow St, Tauranga 12.15-1pm. Today: Consumer Law Changes (BWCL). 571 6812 Gate Pa Indoor Bowls Nana Ormsby Darby & Joan & Mixed Pairs, Greerton Hall 7.30pm. Names in book. Kevin 543 4044 Gate Pa Tennis Club Every Weds 9am - 12pm. Social tennis for all levers.

Make new friends while getting some exercise. No commitment or fee for first 3 attendances. Geoff 570 1168 or 021 474 807 Healing Rooms Every Weds at Bethlehem Town Centre cnr shop behind PO/ Bookstore 1-3pm. Christian prayer for healing. 021 110 0878 or www.healingrooms.co.nz Kiwi Toasters - Te Puke Meet 1st & 3rd Weds. March meetings: Strong Speech Structure. Jellicoe Room, Te Puke Hotel 5.30-7pm. Chrissy 543 9493 or c.meyer@xtra.co.nz Mid-Week Tramping Group Track clearing day, North Henderson towards Hurunui Hut. Bring loppers, gloves etc, approx 5.5hrs. Garth 575 7293

Mount Healing & Spiritual Centre

Fellowship & celebration at Omanu Bowling Club, Golf Rd, Mount 7pm for 7.30pm. Guest speaker: Robin Teague - face reader. Door $3.

Janet 027 264 0226 NZSO: Freddy Kemf’s Beethoven At Baycourt 7.30pm. www.baycourt.co.nz Scottish Country Dancing Every Weds at Senior Citizens Hall, Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui. Beginners class 6pm, regular class 7.30pm. Every Fri at Papamoa Primary School Hall, Dickson Rd 7pm. Children over 8 years welcome.

573 5055 Single Coffee Club 60+ Mixed company of singles 60+ that meet up once a week of coffee, enjoy socialising & meeting new friends. Email: mixandmingle@xtra.co.nz or 027 439 3267 Tauranga Embroider’s Guild Every Weds at Tauranga Rowing Club rooms, Memorial Park 10am - 2.30pm & 7-9pm. Juniors 4-5.30pm. Beginners & experienced stitches welcome. Nancy 544 4778 Tauranga South Garden Club First Weds of month at Central Baptist Church Hall, cnr 13th Ave & Cameron Rd 1.30-3pm. Visitors welcome. Margaret 578 1017 The Parenting Course For those parenting 0-10 year olds. Weds evenings from March 4 - April 1 7.159.30pm. www.holytrinitytauranga.com Toastmasters City Early Start The 6 F’s Club - Fast, focused, flexible,

feedback, friendly & fun. Confidence & leadership building. Every Weds at Avgas Cafe, Classic Flyers 6.50-8.15am.

021 044 5654 LaniDTM@gmail.com or http://cityearlystart.toastmastersclubs. org T.S Chatham (Sea Cadets) Weds during school term at TYPBC, Keith Allan Drive, Sulphur Pt 6.15-9pm.

Micah 021 336 719 or cucdr@ tschathamorg.nz or www.tschatham. org.nz

Thursday 5 March

Awesome Clothing Sale Good quality, all sizes & styles, men’s, women’s, children’s, shoes, sheets, duvets etc. Only $3 a bag. You pick.

Rain or shine at Historic Village, 17th Ave 9.30-10.30am. Organised by Turning Point Trust 578 6934 Botanical Road Kindergarten Fundraiser March 19 - Annual fundraiser

“Medium Night” with Karen & friends at Worlds End Bar & Restaurant. Doors open 6pm with bar & full menu. Tickets $20pp, from Worlds End, Fraser Cove or Botanical Rd Kindergarten, 18th Ave. 578 4481

Community Bible Study International

Join us at 14th Ave Gospel Centre 10am - 12pm for a non denominational Bible study. Jack/Betty 544 3809 Fitness League Safe, effective, low impact exercise to music using the Bagot Stack technique, designed for females. All ages & abilities, complementary first class, every Thurs Central Baptist Church Hall, cnr 13th Ave & Cameron Rd 9.30am & Weds at Katikati Memorial Hall 10am. Pam 549 4799 or 021 117 170 Grey Power Coffee Morning Held first Thurs of every month at Village Café, next to Grey Power Office, Historic Village, 17th Ave 10am. 571 2558 Happiness & Our Mind Drop-in meditation classes. Beginners welcome.

Classes are self-contained so start any date. $14 per class. New venue: Tauranga Plunket, 471 Devonport Rd. Monthly classes, next class March 5 7-8.30pm. www.meditateintauranga.org More Than Craft Every Thurs at Greerton Bible Church Hall 9.30-11.30am.

10 crafts with talented tutors. $3 entry.

Colleen 574 6665 Mount Underwater Club Club night at Mount Ocean Sports Clubrooms (Cnr The Mall & Salisbury Ave, Mt Maunganui) 7.30pm. Presentation from Project Jonah. New members welcome.

Gail 570 1935 or 021 471 768 Sunshine Dance Group Learn sequence dancing at a friendly club. Meet every Thurs at Baptist Church Hall, cnr 13th Ave & Cameron Rd 7-8.30pm, followed by dancing till 10pm. $2pp, entrance includes supper. Jan 544 4379 Tai Chi Qingong Every Thurs at Settlers Hall, Ohauiti Rd 11am. Class takes approx 1 hr. $1pp. Eric 577 1988 Tauranga Branch of NZ Soc of Genealogists Monthly meeting at St James Church Hall, cnr Pooles & Devon, Greerton 7.30pm. 578 1689 Tauranga Model Railway Club Meet every Thurs 7.30pm. Ed 543 1108 www.taurangamodelrailwayclub.co.nz Young Parents Group (For ages 20 & under) every Thurs at Plunket, 471 Devonport Rd, Tauranga 12pm. Lunch provided. Text Rozi 027 924 6526

Continued...

37

The Weekend Sun M U S I C

P L U S

By Winston Watusi

The scarcity of country bands kicking around Some friends were round the other day and, what with these new drink driving laws impacting everyone’s partying, I noticed all of us were consuming low alcohol beverages of one sort or another.

everywhere you go there’s one. New Zealand has more than 70 country music clubs. Every week there are country music nights in pretty much every town. In Tauranga there’s one on Wednesdays at The Matua and elsewhere on the second Sunday of each month.

Best song

APRA has its annual Which naturally led to reminiscence Silver Scroll Award for about Ritchie Pickett, a man for whom song-writing, but there that was rarely if ever the case.It was is a separate award for Ritchie’s birthday this month; he would Best Country Song have been 60. announced at the Gold Which doesn’t really connect for me.

Guitar Awards.

It’s only been four years but...Ritchie The point I’m making Pickett at 60? Hard to envisage. is that country music Perhaps he would have mellowed and is big in NZ. Which gone on tour playing gentle piano balbegs the obvious queslads. Perhaps his gloriously idiosyncratic tion: where are the country song-writing would have given us a few more bands? gems to savour. Who knows, perhaps he You would assume would have re-embraced country music. Ritchie Pickett, 1981. there’s a simple forI wonder about that last one. Ritchie mula, something like first became recognised as a country artist, this: lots of people like a particular type of when television in NZ had shows spotlightmusic so lots of people form bands playing ing such music. that type of music because, y’know, they like it and there’s an audience for it. It’s not Jerry lee Lewis rocket surgery.

Country songs and that Jerry Lee Lewis Yet in contravention of all fiscal and musipiano. It was a potent combination and cal logic this doesn’t appear to be the case. maybe country music in this country has There are lots of people who like country never quite recovered. That would go some music but bugger all bands actually playing way to explaining the staggering paucity of it. If anyone has a sensible explanation – or, country bands kicking around these days. let’s not be fussy, a silly explanation – please It’s an odd thing, because every little town write in and enlighten me because it makes in New Zealand has a country club, and I’m little sense to this particular bear not talking about the likes of the Watusi with a very small brain…

Country Club – I mean a country music Going back to where we started, club. Tauranga has one, Te Puke has one; another thing notably absent from

Tauranga in the years since Ritchie moved on (he always sang ‘I guess the best honky tonk will be in heaven’) has been a big – or even modestly-sized – celebratory concert, a whole bunch of people singing Ritchie's inimitable songs.And Tauranga would be a good place for it. Although Ritchie lived his last decade or so in the Waikato, most of his music came from when Tauranga was his base.

And there are still a whole bunch of musicians and singers here who worked and played with him: Chris Gunn, Simon Elton, Kevin Coleman, Paul Higgins, John Terry, Derek Jacombs, Graham Clark and many more, all of whom are still alive and well.

Perhaps during this space in time between everyone forgiving him and everyone forgetting him, a fitting tribute can be mounted.

I’d pay to see it.

Blast of nostalgia

In the meantime, if you fancy a blast of nostalgia, there’s a heap of Ritchie stuff online.

That ole interweb has a wealth of clips stretching back to dynamite stuff from Tamworth in the mid-1980s to a jam in 2007.

But perhaps the best place to start is a tribute from another Kiwi country singer, now based in Australia. Glen Moffatt says he “grew up wanting to be Ritchie – then I met him”. His piece at www.audioculture.co.nz/ people/ritchie-pickett pretty much nails it.

There’s a host of great photos and video of Ritchie singing ‘Honky Tonk Heroes’. To watch it is to be amazed all over again. What a singer. Damn. He really was that good.

Detour’s Open All Hours Detour Theatre is excited to bring the classic United Kingdom comedy – ‘Open All Hours’ – to their stage with a top notch Bay of Plenty cast that promises to have fans of the hugely popular sitcom grinning from ear to ear.

The hilarious comedy – ‘Open All Hours’ – runs from March 11-28 at Detour Theatre. Bookings and information are available at Baycourt and online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz For more information on the Detour Theatre Trust, visit www.detour.co.nz

The Weekend Sun has two double passes to the opening night of Open All Hours give away to lucky readers who can tell us where the event is held.

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section.

Entries must be received before Wednesday, March 4.

...Continued

Friday 6 March

10pin Bowling Quicksilver League Come

for a fun morning on Friday’s at 13th Ave 10.30am. We play in pairs. New members welcome. Ngaire 575 3806 Alcoholics Anonymous Open meeting every Fri at Hamner Clinic, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton (behind Bridgestone) 7.30pm. 0800 229 6757 for more meetings or assistance.

Cancer Society Relaxation series at 111 Cameron Rd, Tauranga 2-3.30pm. 571 2035

Chess Tauranga Every Fri at Tauranga RSA, Greerton 6pm & 7pm onwards for the whole family. Werner 548 1111 http://www.westernbopchess. weebly.com/ Free Immigration Clinic Every Fri - legal advice & information on immigration issues.

For appointment, Baywide Community Law 571 6812 International Women’s Day Breakfast

Hosted by Zonta International Tga at the Mount Club, cnr Totara/

Across 1. Entertainers (8) 6. Shellfish (4) 8. Cheese (4) 9. Open-minded (8) 10. Native palm (5) 11. Warm (6) 13. Receive (6) 15. Christian festival (6) 17. Tunnel (NI) (6) 19. Spices (5) 22. Unpopular (8) 23. Relative (4) 24. Faculty head (4) 25. Symbols (8) Down 2. Dog (5) 3. Function (7) 4. Insects (4)

No. 1411

5. Remunerations (8) 6. Roost (5) 7. Crepe (7) 12. Troubled (8) 14. Goblet (7) 16. Island (SI) (7) 18. Fruit (5) 20. Game (5) 21. Emend (4) S W I N G A Y P A P Z A F

O F D E L I T E R A L L Y

B U L G E C L T T P P L T

S O E C E A S E A A G O G

E S H I E G A N D E R T OW R S I A E M E O W A E N

T M L T G I G N G O I N E

T A R I F F T E N T I C E

I T M I X I O L T H I E O

H A L F E C O L D I D E D

Solution 1410

A N T L M I A K I R A T E

I G N O R A N C E L I V F

H I S P T L O M D U S K Y

38

The Weekend Sun

Multicultural festival returns to village Tauranga’s Historic Village will come alive with a festival of colours and culinary treats from around the world at the 16th Tauranga Multicultural Festival this month.

Organised by Multicultural Tauranga, the firmly established family fun festival, on March 21, showcases Tauranga's wonderful diversity of ethnic

food, crafts, and entertainment.

Office coordinator Janet Smith says the programme caters to all ages.

“Most performances take place on the main stage on the village green, but there will also be lots on offer throughout the village all day.”

Janet says one key element of the festival is the Parade of Nations.

“Everybody is welcome to participate to make it an authentic display of Tauranga’s multicultural population.

“Come in your national costume and bring a flag of your country if you have one.”

Registration is on the day at Multicultural Tauranga’s information stand.

The festival starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm.

Admission is $6 for adults, children under 12s enter free.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate of The Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga.

The city’s multicultural festival showcases a range of different cultures via costume, entertainment and food.

A Beatles Invasion at The Entertainer’s Club The Entertainer’s Club has another showcase for next month’s concert on March 8 with nothing but Beatles all night long.

Led by Tim Armstrong, the ‘Abbey Road’ New Zealand Beatles show has been performing together for the last 11 years and is described as a show that rekindles the memories of the most influential force in modern popular music.

Programme coordinator Nicole Stagg says for an insight into what to expect, the first part takes you back to the ‘Cavern Club’ days in Liverpool.

“It will remind you of the black suits and ties, with white shirts and mop tops, singing classic songs from the first three albums ‘Please, Please me’, ‘With the Beatles’ and ‘A Hard Day’s Night’.”

Nicole says the second part introduces their early musical exploration era of the black polo neck jerseys with acoustic guitars and keyboards, showing their great variety of musical styles taken from the next four albums ‘Beatles for Sale’, ‘Help’, ‘Rubber Soul’ and ‘Revolver’.

“Lastly, it’s time to don the Sergeant Pepper costumes for a finale that is all colour and splendour

– featuring a musical selection from ‘Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’, ‘The White Album’, ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Let it Be’.”

Abbey Road will be performing upstairs at the Tauranga Citz Club on Sunday, March 8, from 5pm8pm.

Tickets cost $10, with door sales available from 4.30pm. Full bar and restaurant meals are available.

The ‘Abbey Road’ New Zealand Beatles show is coming to town on March 8.

Fun day for Children’s Day Katikati Primary School is celebrating Children’s Day – the first Sunday in March – on March 1 with a day of youngster’s activities at the school.

The Sunday Fun Day is on from 3pm-5pm offering games, dancing, stories, pizza, gifts, face painting and much more.

‘Kati’ the kiwi will be there too, offering fun for the whole family. To learn more, call the school on 07 549 1605.

Entry

$10

Greer’s Gastro Bar Sunday 1 – Anthony Coulter 5.30-8.30pm. Vocals & piano, popular covers.

Mount RSA Friday 27 – Andy Bowman 7.30pm.

Saturday 28 – The Elvis Rock n Roll Show 7.30pm.

Sunday 1 – Back Porch 4.30pm.

The Crown and Badger Friday 27 – Celcius.

Saturday 28 – Decibel.

The Matua Sunday 1 – Blaze 3-6pm.

Wednesday 4 – A Taste of Country Night 7.30-10pm.

Welcome Bay Bar Friday 26 – Karaoke with Paulena 8pm.

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The Weekend Sun

Papamoa Primary School new pupils Mila O’Reilly, Jack McManaway, Zachery Wilson, and Grace Hansen are expecting the Poppy Poop Drop to be smelly.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Poppy’s encore poop at Papamoa It’s on. ‘Poppy’ has been signed for a return gig on the seaside strip this evening.

‘Poppy’ is a cow, a pet cow, hand-raised and tame. She performed with such critical acclaim at last year’s Papamoa Primary School gala, she just needs to turn up at Dickson Rd at 4pm this afternoon to be a hit once again.

It’s a simple, uncluttered, one-act performance. ‘Poppy’ just ruminates and ‘poops’ and the curtain comes down. All over for another year. But they will be riveted.

Because it’s where Poppy poops that’s important.

Her paddock’s divided into a grid and the squares sold off for

$10 each. If nature delivers in your square you win $1000 and Papamoa Primary makes a lot of money.

There’s a curtain-raiser. ‘Pippy’, a small Poppy, will do her small business for $2 a square and a prize of $200.

It’s a kind of rural raffle ticket – and in the end the cow’s happy, kids are happy and the winner is happy.

Poppy delivered for Leanne Mathews last year. ”I was so embarrassed winning money off my daughter’s school.”

So embarrassed this year she’s giving back – sponsoring a wheelbarrow.

Each of the 20 classes at

Papamoa primary will decorate a sponsored wheelbarrow and assign a jockey and a father for the great decorated wheelbarrow free-for-all, The Papamoa Cup. The race will be watched over

by Fashion In The Field models – a pupil from each class glammed up with the help of a local sponsors.

And while waiting for Poppy and Pippy to deliver, there will be a mechanical bull – but no grid, no poop, no prize.

There will also be raffles, cake stalls, barbecue food, pizza, cupcakes.

The Papamoa Primary School annual gala is today from 4pm7pm on Dickson Rd, Papamoa.

Alpha Course about to start in the city Alpha is proving so popular that it’s run three times per year at the Holy Trinity Church.

The first of the 2015 courses commences with an introductory launch evening on March 3, when people are welcome to go along and see if Alpha is right for them. The 10-week course starts on March 17.

Today we seem to have more and more questions about life. Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? Is life really precious? We owe it to ourselves to pursue these questions.

Through the media we’re bombarded with so many scary images and ‘evil’ seems to be rampant.

At times we feel powerless. Many are confused and want to do the best for others but we ask: ‘Where

does God fit into this?’ This needs to be discussed in an honest and open environment. Alpha allows you to ask these questions in a relaxed non-threatening environment.

Today most people participate in social media but Alpha has the personal communication so often lost today. Alpha is ideal for people to discuss the important questions of life.

There’s no charge for Alpha, though many make small donations to cover the cost of the meals.

Come along to the launch evening at Holy Trinity Church on March 3 from 7pm and see if Alpha is for you.

Week one commences on Tuesday, March 17, at 7pm in the foyer at Holy Trinity Church.

Register and challenge your thinking. For more information, phone 07 578 7718.

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The Weekend Sun

trades & services

Topping, lopping and dropping plants, trees and shrubs When it comes to horticulture – Shane Mulcahy from Topped, Lopped and Dropped believes he’s the man for the job.

Shane has about 20 years’ experience in the industry and a diploma in horticulture amenity – he knows how to prune, shape and fell trees and shrubs to keep them looking at their best.

Shane Mulcahy from Topped, Lopped and Dropped.

Whether it’s a fruit tree, rose bush, hedge, or a bit of landscaping needed – Shane can help.

As summer nears an end, Shane says now is a good time to give the trees and shrubs a tidy up.

“The plants, trees, and shrubs can recover a lot better if they’re looked after now.”

Topped, Lopped and Dropped is based in Papamoa, but Shane can cover the entire Tauranga area.

He also has a chipper available on-site to help with shrub and tree maintenance.

By Zoe Hunter

Let there be light

Jeanette and Bill Jenner’s Papamoa home has been transformed from a dark living space to a bright and sunny area, with diffused light from the Suntrenz skylight installed

by Solar Innovations.

The couple spotted Suntrenz at the Tauranga Home Show three years ago.

It was the company’s affordable prices and smart looking skylights that made Suntrenz stand out from the others. The bonus was they are New Zealand-made.

“We highly recommend them,” says Jeanette. “They do a great job and clean up after themselves. Everything’s spot on, we’ve had no troubles.”

The skylights have lightened up Jeanette and Bill’s dining room, kitchen and walk-in wardrobe, where they used to keep turning lights on.

Bill and Jeanette Jenner enjoy their skylight.

SHOWER LEAKING, LOOKING OLD AND TIRED, DOOR HANGING BY A THREAD? Solar Innovations has gone above and beyond for the couple, with the company organising the installation of skylights for their daughter in Auckland. The Tauranga-made Suntrenz Sun-Tube is a popular model, which transmits light through a low profile roof skylight to the ceiling below, through a highly reflective light shaft. The result is natural light in otherwise dark hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and living areas. They also custommake skylights for any roof situation - residential and commercial.

We will carry out an inspection of your shower.

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Check out our comprehensive shower range, made locally right here in Mount Maunganui.

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AAA

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The Weekend Sun

trades & services

SAFEPLANK SCAFFOLDING

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 All electrical work undertaken  New builds, renovations, lights and sockets  Repairs, maintenance and installations  Competitive pricing  We cover the whole of the Bay For Prompt, friendly local electricians telephone 0800 322000 or 021 564 560 www.phase1electrical.co.nz

We Specialise in: • Continuous Spouting • All Metal & PVC Spouting systems • Long-run Roofing • Fascia • Repairs & Leaks • Spouting & Roof cleaning • Moss & Mold control Your local specialists

Call/text/e-mail us for a FREE no obligation quote Ph: 07 542 1016 Mob: 021 02051038 E-mail: kiwispout@kiwispout.co.nz

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The Weekend Sun

trades & services

Deck Restoration

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doors • windows locks • hinges handles conservatories

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43

The Weekend Sun

cars wanted

karaoke hire

public notices Learn ThetaHealing

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situations wanted S1509

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public notices

HON SIMON BRIDGES MP FOR TAURANGA

TODD MULLER

MP FOR BAY OF PLENTY Simon Bridges MP and Todd Muller MP will meet with constituents most Fridays at 184 Devonport Rd, Tauranga. Appointments necessary.

Simon Bridges MP | P: 07 579 9016 | E: taurangamp@parliament.govt.nz Todd Muller MP | P: 07 578 0175 | E: Todd.MullerMP@parliament.govt.nz Authorised by Hon Simon Bridges and Todd Muller MP, 184 Devonport Road, Tauranga 3110

www.national.org.nz

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The Weekend Sun

sports notices

funeral directors

firewood

situations vacant

funeral directors

for sale

deceased

Visit us.

Visit us.

OPEN: Monday-FridayÊ8.00am-5.30pmÊÊÊ SaturdayÊ9.00am-5.00pm

OPEN: Monday-FridayÊ8.00am-5.30pmÊÊÊ SaturdayÊ9.00am-5.00pm

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116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui.

Tel:Ê07Ê578Ê6017

Tel:Ê07Ê578Ê6017

www.farmerautovillage.co.nz www.farmerautovillage.co.nz

situations vacant

Choose Legacy Funerals, and all the profits go to the local community.

Darin Friis For more information, call

07 543 4780

Contact us to discuss pre-arrangement and pre-payment options.

We can meet at your home or at Woodhill or Tauranga Park.

situations vacant

! d e t n a w s r e iv r d forklift

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We also need experience d:

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We also need: • Packers • Graders • Stackers • Tray prep • Strappers You don’t need any experience, we’ll train you on the job.

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(Turntable Road Site), 9 Turntable Hill Road.

Between 9am and 12pm

Call us on: Or email us at: employment.katikati@apata.co.nz 0800 427 282 employment.tepuke @apata.co.nz Download an application from our website: www.apata.co.nz/employment

Te Puke :

(Mends Lane Site), 15 Mends Lane.

APATA230115 DEVCICH.CO.NZ

Together, we’re better that’s why we want you to join the Apata team. You’ll be working with a bunch of fun and energetic people who keep coming back year after year. So hurry, get your job application in now!

45

The Weekend Sun

What is due diligence?

Buying a house? You have the deposit, you have the nod from a bank and you are searching.

But before you fall head over heels for the house of your dreams, before you rush in with an offer, there is a little thing called ‘due diligence’.

Well it’s not such a little thing.

It’s crucial you have all the information you need about a property before you buy and especially before an auction, because auction bids are ‘unconditional’. Gathering that information is ‘due diligence’.

Due diligence is the comprehensive appraisal of a property undertaken by a prospective buyer to establish its assets and liabilities and evaluate its financial potential.

If circumstances force you into a quick offer, you can include clauses in the agreement to allow due diligence even after signing.

Here are some pointers for due diligence.

Check the neighbourhood at various times of the day – check for smells and sounds. Talk to neighbours. You don’t want to discover that you have bought into a flight path.

Check with the local council for development plans – roads and zone changes – that could affect the character of your neighbourhood.

A building inspection will examine structural integrity and advise on any issues or defects with the dwelling.

Make the agreement conditional on the valuation of the property. The bank may require this but it will ensure you aren’t paying too much.

Consider rates, insurance, body corporate when calculating your finances.

The LIM report – the Land Information Memorandum – is a report from the local council and

will advise whether there are any “notices to fix” on the property.

LIM requisitions on a property can be expensive and the LIM is there for your protection.

If you have questions, if you have concerns, don’t sign until you have sought advice.

Talk to a property law expect to save money and for peace of mind.

gardens

computer services

financial

For that personal loan you may require...

here you ...we are

financial

for Robert Smylie Manager - Tauranga Branch

Terms and conditions apply. Subject to Linsa Finance lending criteria and responsible lending guidelines. All loans must be approved and drawn down in our branch.

0800 34 62 63 | www.linsa.co.nz 1 7 4 D E V O N P O R T R O A D, TAU R A N G A | ( 0 7 ) 5 7 8 7 7 1 7

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The Weekend Sun

www.sunlive.co.nz/classifieds.html

THIS WEEKS GARAGE SALES! WELCOME BAY 27 Solander Drive, Saturday 7th March, 8.00 am. Heaps of kids stuff – come and grab a bargain!!

JUST $19 with FREE signs & price stickers! arts & crafts GLASS CUTTING Sat 7th March 10am-12pm introduction workshop on the “how to” of successfully and safely cutting all those tricky shapes in glass.

Perfect for glass mosaics, stained glass and glass fusing projects. $55 includes all your materials and your own pencil grip glass cutter to take home. Contact Lynn 571 3726 Leadlight Expressions, Historic Village, 17th Ave.

bible digest ‘’He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers’’ Psalm 1:3

cars for sale A NO DEPOSIT DEAL from $50 p/w. Cars, vans, & 4x4s. To find out more txt ‘NEWCAR’ and your name to 9090. Learner licence welcome, with good guarantor.

CAR FAIR – buy or sell any vehicle every Sunday at 11th Avenue Car park opposite Mad Butcher 8am-noon. Ph for more information 027 733 9686 or www.taurangacarfair.co.nz

computers COMPUTER GETTING you down?

Problems, viruses, upgrades, internet, new or refurb PC’s tuition, or advice. Ph Bruce for a no obligation chat or quote 576 7940 or 021 260 9183 FREE ON SITE DIAGNOSIS & quote. We come to you & don’t charge extra for travel. Pensioner discounts. Ph Kyle at Tech Solutions 027 828 7078

entertainment TAURANGA TANDEM SKYDIVING best buzz in the Bay! Gift vouchers available.

Ph 574 8533 today

wanted

gardening BE READY for Autumn! Leaves controlled, lawns mowed, trees/hedges trimmed, garden maintenance, general tidy ups, rubbish removal. Quality work. Ph Steve 571 2295 or 021 0264 8265 LAWN MOWING covering all of Tauranga. Experienced contractor, reliable service. Ph Chris 549 0446 or 027 200 8578 RELIABLE experienced gardener does weeding, pruning, trimming and lawn mowing. Discount for Veterans and Pensioners. All green waste taken. Ph Damon 021-2023558

for sale CAR FOR SALE Triumph 2500 76 suitable for parts, LPG, offers.

Ph 022 439 3687 WINDSURFER board Mistral Explosion and cover $150. The following don’t fit the board boom, carbon fibre mast and three North sails $400. Three fins $50 each. For more information Ph 549 4006

health & beauty PHYSIOTHERAPY consultations @ 553 Maunganui Road. Pilates Classes @ Mount Scout Hall, 19 May Street: Tuesday 7.30pm, Friday 4.30pm. 021 072 0129/ www.corephysiotherapy.nz NATURAL NEW ZEALAND Health Products & Clinic.

Something for everyone. NZ Registered Natural Therapies & Natural Medicine Practitioners.

Opposite BP Te Puke. Ph 573 5533 www.naturaltherapiesnz. com and www.kiwikitz.com

join a club IF YOU ARE SINGLE, 55 + and would enjoy participating in varied events and outings. Bay Network singles club may be just what you’ve been looking for. For more information contact Jean 5769988 WIN $500 CASH MONTHLY! Join Te Puna Hunting & Fishing club for only $10 per adult and enter our monthly competition Prime Explosives 500, you could win $500 Cash every month. Check out www. tepunahuntingfishingclub.co.nz or check out our facebook page to keep up to date www.facebook. com/tepunahuntfishclub

livestock AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses. Ph 0800 369 6269

lost & found FOUND Kittens, Various Areas, Various Colours, If you have lost a kitten please call us, SPCA 07 5780245 FOUND Greerton area, black rabbit, SPCA 07 5780245 ref 21371

wanted

lost & found

cont.

trades & services

travel & tours

cont

FOUND Merivale Area, short haired female black & white cat, SPCA ref 21375

INSECT SCREENS Measure.

Make. Mend. Ph Rob at Magic Seal 543 4940

Musical ‘Singin’ in the Rain. Ph John’s Door to Door Tours from Tauranga. Ph 576 9305

FOUND Carysfort St, Mount, older Tortoiseshell cat, SPCA 07 5780245 ref 21376

PAINTER/DECORATOR Interior and Exterior, quality workmanship friendly services. Over 20 years specialising in residential and more. Quality paint at trade prices. For your best advice in all areas. Ph Shane Mount/Tauranga Decorators 07 544 6495 or 021 575 307

NO.8 TOURS TRAVEL CLUB Up and coming tours; Dazzling Tasmania-21st March -2nd April.

Coastal Pacific Kaikoura by Rail 8th-11th April. Queenstown, Te Anua, Doubtful Sound, Mavora Lakes & Mt Nicholas 22nd-26th April. Wandering Wairarapa 6th8th May. Marlborough Sounds18th-22nd May. Tropical North Queensland- 3rd –11th June Specialists in Fully Escorted Day & Extended Tours. Free pick-up, free newsletter, free to join, call now. Ph 579 3981.

FOUND Papamoa, Short haired male tabby cat, SPCA 07 5780245 ref 21380 FOUND Fourteenth Avenue, Short haired male cat, SPCA ref 21381 FOUND Welcome Bay, brindle female puppy, SPCA 07 5780245 ref 21382 FOUND Welcome Bay, white & black short haired cat female cat SPCA 07 5780245 FOUND Gate Pa, black & white male short haired cat, SPCA 07 5780245 ref 21384 FOUND Katikati, cameo & white short haired male cat SPCA 07 5780245 ref 21385 LOST WETSUIT, bright blue & black vissla full wetsuit from the Mount main beach. Ph 021 048 2833 LOST, yellow with spot and patches of blue budgie. Answers to Rocky. Much loved pet. From Hodgson House, Botanical Road/ Fraser Cove area. Ph Frank 577 1577 or ph/txt Lorraine 022 1669 886

mobility FOR ALL disability needs, visit our showroom 29 Burrows St, Tauranga Ph 578 1213 MES “Supporting your Independence” for 12+years.

therapist RELATIONSHIP THERAPIST Betina Anderson is now available for appointments.

Betina a mature woman, believes the foundation of all our relationships begins with ourselves. Ph 0274 791 206 Em: care@flowerbank. co.nz

trades & services APPLIANCE REPAIRS For service of all Fisher & Paykel, Haier and Elba appliances, Ph 0800 372 273 for your local technician.

BOAT BUILDING repairs and maintenance. Timber & fibreglass trade qualified, boat builder.

Ph Shaun 021 992 491 or 07 552 0277 BRYCE DECORATING Interior & exterior painting, wallpapering.

Quality work. Ph Wayne 579 5588 or 021 162 7052 FLOOR & WALL TILER. Over 35 years experience. All tiles, stone & slate. Ph 027 317 9031 ELECTRICIAN, 18+ years experience, NZ registered.

Residential & commercial, maintenance & service, new builds, renovations. Fast, friendly service. Ph Andrew 022 354 1960 FUTURA PROPERTY SERVICES Building maintenance, timber repairs, landscape features.

Contact us about the best new sunroof materials available. Ph Bill Purdie on 575 0407 or 027 6247 247 info@futura247.co.nz HANDYMAN BUILDING and section maintenance, decks, fencing, pergolas, painting, water blasting, odd jobs. Free quotes Ph Rossco 027 270 3313 or 544 5911

PAINTERS AVAILABLE for immediate start. Interior/exterior.

Guaranteed workmanship. For free quotes, Ph Graeme today 022 0466 776 or 07 544 5234 PAINTER AVAILABLE for smaller jobs. Quality work & materials. Free quotes. Ph Eric 577 1988 PLASTERER Interior 30+years.

Skimming walls, make good ceilings, walls, Cornice Cove, Plasterboard Stopping. Small Jobs. Free Quotes. Contact Stan 0211 302 621 REVIVE YOUR DRIVE A clean and seal helps: Prevent staining; Cleaning made easy. Prevents Colour loss; Adds value to your home. Commercial Grade Sealer.

Free Quotes. Ph Adam Concrete Replacements 0274 598 571 Member of CCANZ ROOF PAINTING and maintenance. Roofs rescrewed.

Waterblasting, moss removal.

Free quotes! Ph Mark 543 3670 or 021 0273 8840 TREE SHRUB and hedges trimming, topping removal, rubbish removal, palm pruning or removal, satisfaction guaranteed free quote. Ph Steve Hockly 571 5958 or 027 498 1857 WINDOW CLEANING & HOUSE WASHING Soft wash option available, interior/exterior.

Professional, experienced, friendly service, with sparkling results and great rates.Ph Justin for a free no obligation quote 022 063 8273

transport DRIVING MISS DAISY – more than a taxi service! We will attend doctor’s appointments with the client and transmit relevant information back to family, assist with shopping or ensure children safely attend sports practices or music lessons. Safe, friendly, reliable service. Ph Jackie from Driving Miss Daisy 552 6614

travel & tours

1907 PADDLEBOAT River Cruises. Cruise up the Wairoa River with FREE refreshments.

From $25 and group discounts, open 7 days. Bookings essential 0274183930, www.paddleboat. co.nz, www.facebook.com/otunui

.org.nz .org.nz

venues FOR WEDDINGS, FUNCTIONS OR MEETINGS check out No.1 The Strand, a beautiful historic setting. Ph Tony 07 928 3676 or email tony@thesun.co.nz WEDDINGS, PARTIES, MEETINGS etc. With stunning Harbour views, fully licensed bar & kitchen onsite. Restaurant open every Friday from 5pm & Sunday from 4.30pm. Tauranga Fish & Dive Club, 60 Cross Rd, Sulphur Point. Ph 571 8450 or text 027 318 5760 www.tfdc.co.nz

Sunday Services 9:30am & 6:00pm Come along!

07 576 5387 252 Otumoetai Road www.citychurchtauranga.org.nz

wanted to rent 2 B/R TE PUNA or surrounding area, by tidy working 40+ male, with well-trained dog. References available. Ph 027 404 4796 RENTAL ACCOMMODATION Required, 3 to 4 bedrooms, prefer double garage and plenty of osp.

Clean living, non smoking couple, good refs available. Up to $460 pw. Ph 021 864 116 WANTED TO RENT Professional family seeking 2-3 bedroom house. Anywhere considered.

Have references. Ph Jo 027 3481 706

work wanted EXPERIENCED ENGINEER + fitter welder. Also wanted.

Experienced heavy diesel mechanic.

GARDENING SECTION CLEAN ups, weeding, light pruning, plants planted, pebble gardens made, painting etc. Semi retired active gent. Ph Eric 5 REROOF OR ROOF REPAIRS - Long run Roofing. Will be completed over weekend. Free quotes. Good references. 10yrs exp. Ph 027 725 7986

“A A” - FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY- 20 Tunnel Tour Stratford - Whangamomona Taumarunui

DOMESTIC CLEANING, washing, folding, ironing duties in Papamoa/Papamoa East area. Honest and reliable mature woman. Ph/txt 027 433 4936

2. Singin’ In The Rain Show, Civic, Akl. 3. Discover The Chatham Islands. 4. Neil Diamond Show. Plus many other inspiring journeys. Door to Door. Free Newsletters. Contact The Hinterland Tours Team on 07 575 8118

WORK wanted in Oropi for Transparts. Hours negotiable.

Must have good English. Ph Keith 027-543-2195 or 543-2195

ANOTHER AUTUMN Rail Cart Tour. 2 Seats left for this unique and fun journey from Taumaranui to Whangamomona. Bookings also now available for Matinee performances of the popular

www. www.

Give Salina a call today to book your Run On Listing 07 578 0030

Sunday Gatherings 10:00 am Mount Sports Club 51 Miro Street Blake Park The Mount

www.stlukeschurch.org.nz

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The Weekend Sun

The spiritual journey to Easter our hall floor; but Cate, our assistant pastor, had the great idea of making one on the lawn out front of our church.

A Labyrinth is like a maze that you walk, and you pray as you go. You might like to make your own Labyrinth for Easter, or come and try out ours.

By Pastor Simon McLeay, St Peters in the City

It feels like Christmas has only just finished and yet here we are on our way to Easter.

The spiritual journey to Easter is often called Lent. Lots of us give up something for Lent – chocolate, sugar, alcohol or even coffee – as a way of reminding ourselves that Jesus went through a time of great suffering for our benefit.

I’m trying the triple-header of coffee, alcohol and snacks after 7pm.

This might sound more healthconscious than spiritual but the two actually intersect.

Lent can be thought of as the journey to the cross. This year we’re thinking about that journey to the cross and how, in many ways, it’s a circular sort of journey.

I’ve been reading Mark’s gospel of

Jesus and Mark makes it clear that Jesus went back and forward and around in his last weeks.

Back and forth to Bethany several times, to the Mount of Olives, and then his trial drags him around several parts of the city of Jerusalem.

I like journeys that go in one direction, where you don’t have to double back.

My family and I walked the Abel Tasman Great Walk during January – one long walk in one direction.

But Easter is a journey where we do often double back. We go back and remember things, like the woman who broke a $40,000 jar of perfume over Jesus’ head.

To help us think about that slow and repeating journey we’ve created a Labyrinth.

I saw one at Nelson Cathedral and then we were going to make one on

48

The Weekend Sun

greenslades furniture greenslades furniture 287 Cameron Rd, Tauranga | PH 07 571 8174 | OPEN 7 Days | www.greensladesfurniture.co.nz 287 Cameron Rd, Tauranga | PH 07 571 8174 | OPEN 7 Days | www.greensladesfurniture.co.nz