The Weekend Sun 4 April by Sun Media

4 April 2014, Issue 694

Also inside this week: Plan angers pool-goers

Firefighter’s 50 years

Surf sensations

Rugby fans get creative

Gold medals abound

Marking a milestone

Pukehina School is rich with history – history that will be highlighted when the school turns 100 next week. Among those celebrating will be current pupils Kara Kerr, Samurai Anderson, Hine Kerr and Tipene Ngawhika who are fourth generation descendants of some of the school’s 20 original pupils. They are pictured here in front of the school’s carved flagpole, where names of past families are engraved. See page 5 for more. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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The Weekend Sun is published every Friday, circulating throughout the Western Bay of Plenty, delivered free to 64,680 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.

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Sun Media Ltd Directors: Claire & Brian Rogers General Manager: Ross Brown Editorial: Andrew Campbell, Hamish Carter, Letitia Atkinson, Phillipa Yalden, Corrie Taylor, Elaine Fisher, Zoe Hunter, Luke Balvert, Merle Foster. Photography: Tracy Hardy, Bruce Barnard. Advertising: Kathy Sellars, Suzy King, Lois Natta, Kirsty Hutcheson, Rose Hodges, Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon, Tasha Paull, Abby Taylor, Lucy Pattison, Bianca Lawton, Nikki Lean. 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.

Whale research: The last of the world’s greatest fibs What a wild week. We’ve dubbed it “marine mammal appreciation week” since whaling took a king hit and the dolphins helped us celebrate it. The RR crew spent a weekend cavorting with them, which ended up turning into a wild dolphin sex party at the beach.

this travesty; the only question is why has it taken so long? Full credit to Sea Shepherd and Pete Bethune, for relentlessly pursuing the cause. And take note, Greenpeace, you officially have no balls. Too busy with stunts, putting actors up ship rigging to actually get down and dirty with the whale killers.

The RR crew extracted themselves from the mayhem before things got really raunchy, but not before shooting plenty of great photos and video of these amazing creatures. It’s all on SunLive and the Waterline websites; www.sunlive.co.nz/ news/68485-sex-sea.html The most amazing thing was seeing the courtship rituals, including the males picking choice pieces of seaweed bouquets for their ladyfolk – and watching the females accept or reject the offering. Amazing stuff and if you’re into the sea and fishy stuff, you’ll love this. This experience came hot on the heels of the announcement that Japan’s finally been officially nailed for illegal whaling in southern waters.

Flag it

As promised, here’s some fine flag ideas from our readers. Winner of the prizes are Deaana Roberts, age seven, for her very cool entry, and the wildest Kiwi we’ve ever seen.

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Another week passes and there’s still no sign of the missing Malaysian jet and its people. The media keeps talking of the race to find the “black box”. Is anyone else tired the cliché of the black box, which isn’t actually black? It’s not technically a box either; it’s got round bits on the side. We all know it’s orange. Come on people, face up. I think we are all adult enough to understand the concept of a Flight Data Recorder. Or even the orange thing.

Clock dangers ahead

This needs saying

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these vehicle vultures. A couple spring to mind. Wiper Wenches. Tyre Tyrants. Send your suggestions. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to hear them.

I know Murray McCully doesn’t want us to offend our honourable trading partners in the wake of the landmark whale ruling. But this needs saying: Feck off, Japan. That’s essentially the message from the International Court of Justice, and the world for that matter, ruling your sham research to slaughter whales in southern waters, illegal. We already knew it was. And immoral. And offensive. And arrogant. And downright insulting. How could a supposedly civilised nation and trading partner thumb its nose at its supposed friends, for so long? The greatest insult was expecting us to believe the tripe that whales were being hunted and eaten for research. It will go down as one of those classic lies of all times. “Whaling is purely for research” can be added to the list: “The cheque’s in the mail.” “NO”. (Hold up a sign) “I did not have sex with that woman.” “I only subscribe for the articles.” Sorry Murray. We have put up with the insults for too long. We are not pussyfooting around trying to smooth the waters on

Also Wayne Heyworth, who is so far ahead in the game he made his own flag years ago and has it flying from his home flagpole. Thanks to the many others who have sent ideas. We’ll pop a few in from time to time, when we have space.

Tyre tyrants I read with horror the plans for our already well-derided parking wardens, to extend their probing beady eyes beyond parking duties. The plan was to have them check for bald tyres, wipers and other warrant faults. The idea has the handbrake pulled from a number of angles, including the Mayor, who’s wisely flip-flopped on it. Just as well, because we’d no longer be able to tag them as Meter Maids. We’d be requiring some new nicknames for

Put your clock back an hour before bed on Saturday night. The good people in the guvmint are clearly expecting this to cause some trouble, as they say we should also change the batteries in our smoke alarms and check household emergency plans and survival gear. Jeez, so along with more darkness, there could be smoke, fire, rationing, civil unrest, blackouts and mayhem? Crikey, this is starting to sound serious. I recommend you also check the functioning of the fire escapes, the ejector seats and the alien death ray shields. And while we’re at it, it might be an opportune time to charge up the laser deflecting force fields, familiarise oneself with the arming procedure for the ballistic nuclear warheads and give the cat a worm treatment. In the meantime, stay alert, at least until September 28, when daylight saving starts again.

Parting thought So the city council is trying to re-invent itself as the tyre police, and some councillors and former councillors are eyeing political positions beyond local government. Does that make them re-treads?

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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. Flipper, the dolphin from the sixties television show, was portrayed by five different females; despite being a male. His well-known voice, which is used in the media to this day, does not come from a dolphin; it is the sound of an Australian kookaburra. Yep, a bird. Mc co rd Av e

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The Weekend Sun

Swimmers Anneil Yeatman and Mary Parker with the Memorial Pool petition. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Dismay at pool plan Users of Tauranga’s Memorial Pool are making a big splash about Tauranga City Council’s pitch to shut the community facility for nine months of the year. In its 2014-2015 draft Annual Plan, TCC is proposing to reduce the pool’s season by eight weeks, tighten opening hours, and increase adult entry fees by 20 cents – to the dismay of regular swimmer Mary Parker. “I’m feeling pretty upset about it. “They’re catering more to the tourists than to Tauranga residents and I believe they should actually increase the opening to nine months of the year. There is no other openair pool in Tauranga, other than the Polytechnic.” Mary uses the pools at Memorial Park for fitness three-four times weekly, and is shocked to see the council’s plans for the pool in the draft plan, released for public consultation last month. The plan proposes a rate rise of 6.7 per cent, comprising of two per cent general rates and a special 4.7 per cent levy to go towards stormwater. Council is proposing reducing

not cutting them back.” Tauranga City councillor Matt Cowley says the draft plan is made up of many $10,000, $20,000 and $40,000 cuts, which all add up. The plan for community pools is a tricky one, and the current proposal was recommended to TCC by Bay Leisure and Events Limited, says Matt. “As councillors we based our decision on the recommendation from BLEL, as we asked them what savings could be made. “The idea is to rationalise the pools into a few really good premier facilities, rather than scattered around town. But of lot of people won’t like it, as they would rather have access to their local pool over having structured programmes in premier facilities.” Matt says discussions are still underway, and the plan will hopefully buy councillors time to have a “proper look” at Tauranga’s aquatic facilities. “It was purely around cost savings initiative, as we move into the 10-year plan.” Forms for submissions on this issue are at TCC or Memorial Pool. Submissions must be made before 5pm on Tuesday, April 22.

service levels and/or increasing user fees for pools and indoor recreation facilities to help minimise the rates rise. In the plan Memorial Pool’s season will reduce from Labour weekendApril, to early December-late February. During this time the pools could be closed between 10am-2pm and entry will increase to $4.10. The cuts will save $13,700 annually, which Mary believes isn’t enough to warrant the changes. Tauranga Swimming Club president Sonya Hudson says the reduced season would have a “huge impact” on the club’s summer programme. “Tauranga Swimming Club is an 82-year-old club that has always had an association with Memorial Pool.” The programme involves more than 200 swimmers from beginner to competitive levels, and also provides training for waterpolo and triathlons. “Memorial Pool is our iconic outdoor, centrally-located pool within a beautiful park setting overlooking the Tauranga Harbour – and for the sake of saving a minimum $11,000, cutting the season back is true waste,” says Sonya. “The council should be promoting facilities like this,

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

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Tanker rolls off SH29

The driver of a tanker carrying milk by-product known as EP45 escaped with minor injuries after the truck rolled off the edge of State Highway 29, near Poripori Road. The 23,000 litre tanker was heading towards Hamilton about 4.40pm on Monday when it rolled into the bank, say police. Police, St John Ambulance, firefighters and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council spill response team were called to the crash where the driver was encased in the cab for about half an hour.

Mount car dealer fined $65k Mount Maunganui car dealer Alan Spiers and his finance company MAC Warranties have today been fined a total of $65,000 in the Auckland District Court. Spiers was individually fined a total of $22,750 after earlier admitting to 11 breaches of the Fair Trading Act for providing misleading and false claims about cars sold from his Mount Auto Court yard. His finance company, MAC Warranties, was also fined $42,250 for 17 breaches of the Act. MAC has also agreed to provide $182,000 compensation to affected customers.

Bald tyre fines postponed

Tauranga parking wardens will not be fining motorists for bald tyres, Tauranga City Council announced this week. Wardens were to begin checking vehicles for bald tyres along with their normal duties and fining motorists $150 per dangerous tyre from April 1. Tauranga City Council communications manager Frank Begley announced parking officers will not be ticketing people for dangerous tyres as per the original intention.

Bay’s 8 drownings a concern

A total of eight people drowned at Bay of Plenty beaches during the official summer period – the highest number of drownings in the country for the 2013-2014 peak. The eight deaths recorded between December 1 and February 28 were part of 35 drownings nationwide and were double the region's summer period five-year average of four. Of the eight, two were in Tauranga and two in the Western Bay area.

The Weekend Sun

Born to be a firefighter Beginning as a volunteer firefighter in Levin has led to a 50-year career in the New Zealand Fire Service for Tauranga assistant area manager Graeme Easton.

every alternate day. This averages out to 84 hours per week.” Graeme says working and living with individuals constantly needed very good interpersonal skills and the ability to resolve any differences quickly. Initially the brigade provided housing at each station for married staff, so it was a Graeme joined the fire service one month family affair with children playing together after leaving college in 1964. as well. Off-duty staff responded from their He says being a volunteer confirmed his homes to bolster the aspirations to be a paid firefighter. Graeme on-duty crew. started his full-time career in Palmerston “It was 1972 we changed North in December 1968. to the current shift “At that stage we worked a 24-hour shift system firefighters work today.” During his 50-year career, Graeme’s been stationed all over the North Island, including Palmerston North, Dunedin, Wellington, Taupo, Hamilton and Tauranga. “When I was Assistant area manager Graeme Eastern. Photo by Tracy Hardy. a young boy I

always wanted to be a firefighter. My father was a volunteer firefighter and advised me to obtain qualifications or a trade first. “I completed an electrical apprenticeship and gained all of the qualifications before joining the paid firefighter ranks.” Graeme says this helped initially, because people with trades and other tertiary qualifications were preferred in fire brigades. “While on duty, and not involved in training, we carried out maintenance usually related to our trade or skill set.” Graeme enjoys every aspect of his job and says the day he stops is the day he’ll retire. “The best thing about the job is normally you are there to help people and the public really appreciate this; they support firefighters and make you welcome.” He says the downside of his career choice is dealing with trauma at incidents, particularly when young children or a colleague are involved. “The Fire Service has an excellent support network available for people who find some situations difficult to deal with, particularly trauma associated with motor vehicle accident and medical calls.” A celebration is being held at Classic Flyers later this month to mark Graeme’s 50 years in the New Zealand Fire Service. By Letitia Atkinson

Battle of Gate Pa, preparing for the 150th Archaeologists have been giving the Battle of Gate Pa historic site the once over in preparation for the 150th anniversary commemoration later this month. This week archaeologists from InSitu Heritage began checking the ground where digging will take place for the commemoration – the Cameron Rd boundary and adjacent to the current memorial near the church. Eight puwhenua are to stand along the Cameron Rd border of the site, and a new 12m flagpole is to be placed at the top of the site. “We are excavating in order to prove there is nothing there,” says archaeologist Charles Parkinson. The only discovery he made while inspecting the soil at the flag pole site is just how solidly the memorial foundations are. The southern side of the reinforced concrete footings have to be cut to allow room for the flagpole. “We weren’t anticipating the existing memorial was quite so solidly built,” says

InSitu Heritage director Linda Walter. The archaeologists say the chances of historic finds are not high, as any historic relics are likely to be deeply buried. The battle site was scavenged after the battle nearly 150 years ago. Then the British military built two redoubts on the former Pukehinahina Pa, where the British suffered their major defeat of the Maori land wars. After the redoubts were eventually abandoned, residents from the expanding Tauranga township began filling in holes on the site to prevent injury among grazing livestock – decades before the cutting for Cameron Rd was put through, or the bulk of the fighting pa was flattened to accommodate the Gate Pa bowling club and tennis club. “It’s largely a precautionary dig because under the Historic Places Act any work that might impact an archaeological site is required to be investigated,” says Linda. “That’s to ensure if there are archaeological features there, they are recorded in case they are going to be damaged. So this work is very small scale.”

Archaeologist Charles Parkinson checks the footings.

The archaeologists are only investigating the area where ground is going to be disturbed –the puwhenua holes and footings for the new flag pole. The Battle of Gate Pa anniversary commemoration is on April 29, 2014. By Andrew Campbell

The Weekend Sun

100 years on Original pupils’ descendants Tipene Ngawhika, Samurai Anderson, and twins Hine and Kara Keer outside the school’s original classroom. Photo by Tracy Hardy. Cover story

As one of the Bay of Plenty’s oldest schools celebrates 100 years this month, dwindling role numbers are threatening to end it all. Pukehina School will mark 100 years next weekend with three days of events planned for past and present pupils and staff, and the wider community. The school opened as Pukehina Native School on April 8, 1914, with one classroom, two female teachers and 20 pupils. The classroom was built on five acres of land donated by Te Rangitakaha Mita, following five years of negotiations with the government. Sisters Miss G Handcock and Miss M Handcock taught the pupils – a mix of Maori and European. The school’s name was later changed to Pukehina Maori School, before settling as its

current name, Pukehina School. Today there are two classrooms, an Edu-care facility in the original classroom, a part-time secretary and two teachers – one doubling as principal. Centenary organiser and former pupil Kiri Hiha says the school community is a solid one with rich family history. This is proven in some of the current pupils being descendants of original pupils in 1914. Born ninth of 10 children, Kiri began schooling in 1954. She says it was common for families in the area to have 16, 18, even 20 children. “The families aren’t big like they used to be then, and now we’re struggling for numbers.” The current role is 21 pupils and Kiri says a Board of Trustee meeting last week made it clear the role must grow by at least six if the school is to remain open. But despite low numbers, preparations for next week’s celebrations are in full swing. The centenary will be marked

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from April 11-13, with a meet and greet starting things off on Friday evening, from 6pm-9pm at the Pukehina Marae. Weekend festivities begin 10am Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is an opportunity for photos, cake and lunch with an afternoon of traditional activities, such as marbles, knucklebones, and hop scotch – “and a guitar of course”. A church service will take place at the school flag pole on Sunday, where past families names are engraved on the pole. The carved flagpole was unveiled during a ceremony on October 30, 1946, almost 20 years before the school marked its 50th jubilee in May, 1964. Three original pupils, Puhi Butler, and Nancy and Eric Taylor, are special guests. Nancy and Eric will celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary this weekend. Centenary registrations are available on the school’s website. By Corrie Taylor

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The Weekend Sun

Top men’s longboarder Owen Barnes.

Sea of talent

ACG Tauranga

Photo by photocpl.co.nz

Information Afternoon Wednesday 9th April, between 4pm & 7pm Trinity Wharf Hotel, Tauranga

A one-off surfing event at Mount Maunganui will draw in a talent-laden pool of longboard surfers and stand up paddleboarders from throughout New Zealand this weekend.

Among them is local longboarder Owen Barnes, who is set to compete in the hotly-contested men’s open division. The event, at Papamoa Domain on April 5-6, is replacing the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour which was dropped last year due to lack of sponsorship. Surfing New Zealand spokesman Ben Kennings says this weekend is the only national event dedicated to longboarding and stand up paddleboarding for 2014. So for Owen – a regular high performer in the Hyundai tour – it’s an opportunity not to be missed. And a home-turf advantage will be welcomed. “There’s nothing better than surfing in your own backyard. The conditions are much more familiar. But there is probably a dozen surfers who could take out the title on the day – it all depends on who shows up.” Owen, 40, says one-off competitions come with a different strategy to tours. “It makes it harder for sure. We’re lucky we have a good board-rider system here, with free contests, so you have some good contest strategy under your belt. “If you are competing regularly you can get on a

We invite you to our first informal information afternoon.

bit of a roll. One-offs are unknown, but at the end of the day it’s about having a lot of fun.” Owen is part of a family of surfers, including wife Anna, son William, and daughter Ruby; and he’s involved in the Bay Boardriders – a club encouraging local surfing competition. “We run summer series events and contests, and when national events come to the area we host and support those. It brings more events locally, and gives our kids opportunities without having to travel.” High profile surfers to contest for part of the $8000 prize pool include current national champion Thomas Kibblewhite (Red Beach), 2013 Women’s Tour Champion Belinda Goodwin (Raglan) and current national champion for longboard and stand up paddleboard, Alexis Poulter, who is also from Raglan. Ben says stand up paddleboarders will use the event as a warm-up for the International Surfing Association’s World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championships in Nicaragua next month. Catch the action at Papamoa Domain this weekend, April 5-6. By Corrie Taylor

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Closing the book on protest A group protest against stopping Tauranga’s mobile library planned for Saturday has been blocked by Bayfair Shopping Centre management. The protest, planned to happen at Tauranga City Council’s open day on its draft annual plan, was organised by Tauranga Library Friends which is calling for a $2 annual increase in rates to save the mobile library from closure and cover increased staffing for the expanded Greerton Library. Bayfair centre manager Steve Ellingford says they are opposed to protest

action because it did not support any one view and it could be a health and safety risk for the public. Tauranga Library Friends campaign manager Kate Clarke says they respect the centre’s right to block group action on its property, but says concerned individual members and residents will still make the most of the chance to raise their concerns with councillors on a one-on-one basis. The open day at Bayfair is on Saturday from 11am-2pm.

The Weekend Sun

Fighting abuse

By Hamish Carter

Mother of four Suzy Brown is protesting child abuse this weekend. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Tougher sentencing for people who abuse and sexually exploit children will be fought for in Tauranga this weekend as part of a global protest. For the Kids member Suzy Brown is organising Tauranga’s Worldwide Peaceful Protest against Child Abuse – one of many similar protests planned throughout New Zealand, and internationally, on April 5. Suzy says the idea is to showcase through a peaceful protest that violence against children will not be tolerated. She’s asking Tauranga residents to join her on Saturday, meeting at the Tauranga Central Police Station at noon. “We’re going to walk around to the court house, where we will

have a couple of speakers. It’s a peaceful protest, but I’m asking people if they have banners to bring those along,” says Suzy. “One of my friends is taping her mouth shut; to illustrate dead children cannot speak. Another is bringing a banner that says she is a foster carer, but she wishes her job was redundant.” Suzy, a mother of four, has fostered children and seen the effects of child abuse first-hand. “That’s where my passion for this has come from. And so I’m really trying to raise awareness, then more people will take notice when something isn’t right and speak out about it.” She believes child abuse is a very big issue in New Zealand and sentences for child abuse offences aren’t harsh enough. Tauranga City councillor Steve Morris, who will speak at the court house, says reducing child

abuse is about community togetherness. “I’m the chair of the Community Development Committee, and like all social issues child abuse is best responded to in the community. “When you look at patterns of child abuse, generally you see reports in the media of ‘Why didn’t the neighbours know? Why didn’t someone tell somebody?’ – I think there is a wider community responsibility there.” Steve says people need to reconnect with their neighbours and look out for one another. “We need to be concerned about our neighbours, not in a busybody way, but in a neighbourly way, so we can be aware of these issues and speak up.” To be involved, meet at the Tauranga Police Station on Monmouth St at 12pm, Saturday, April 5. By Corrie Taylor

The Weekend Sun

Steaming creativity With colourful imaginations and pencils, Bay of Plenty Steamers fans are being encouraged to show their true colours and help design the side’s alternative playing strip. To celebrate the launch of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union’s focus on community or ‘Bay Wide, Bay Pride’, an online competition is offering up the chance for the public to see their ultimate jersey come to life on the players’ backs. The Steamers are currently looking to wear the winning designed strip in both the away match against Taranaki in August and the home match against Otago in October as opposed to the team’s traditional blue and gold hoops. Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive High Performance trainer Levon Grimmer with the BOP Steamers’ current team jersey. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Emergency skills tested Civil Defence welfare volunteers will test their skills in a gas leak scenario in an Omokoroa subdivision on Wednesday, April 9. The public is invited to view the staged welfare exercise unfold, run by the Tauranga Western Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Welfare group from 6pm at the Omokoroa Community church. A similar exercise will happen at the Orchard Church in Te Puke on April 15, starting 6pm. Civil Defence Emergency Management welfare manager Gloria Oliver says the Omokoroa Community Response Team is taking part to practise their radio communications.

Join or observe

“From time to time welfare volunteers practise setting up a centre – this exercise is along similar lines but with the public invited to join in or observe.”

Volunteers from St John ambulance, Victim Support, Work and Income and residents have been invited. “The volunteers will be putting into practice training they’ve been covering in their volunteer meetings by setting up a Civil Defence centre.”

Ready to respond

Gloria is encouraging Western Bay residents to attend to witness how a Civil Defence Centre is set up. Currently, about 100 welfare volunteers are trained and ready to respond in the Western Bay from Waihi beach to Pukehina, but Gloria says “there’s always room for more”. To find out more about becoming a welfare volunteer, phone Gloria on 07 571 8008.

By Merle Foster

Mike Rogers is looking forward to seeing how fans interpret and illustrate pride in the Bay into a rugby jersey. “From rippa rugby through to the Steamers, our role is about community engagement. We see this as being a fun way to acknowledge the features of our community that make us unique,” says Mike. “I think we obviously need to have an away strip. We thought it was a fantastic way to engage with everyone throughout the Bay for the design and we are certainly trying to connect with our stakeholders and fans to be part of the Steamers.” The union will be judging entered designs on three elements: ‘Bay Wide, Bay Pride’, functionality and inspiring passion for rugby in the Bay. Entries close April 17. A trio of finalists will be put up for public voting on Facebook for five days, with the winner expected to be announced May 12. And although Mike has his judgments about holding onto the traditional blue and gold, the decision and design is purely in the fans’ hands. “Hopefully we get some really good ones that represent the region. It’s totally up to the public, it’s about the public having some ownership of the jersey.” The Steamers’ first match of the 2014 ITM Cup season is against Southland in Invercargill on August 15. By Luke Balvert

The Weekend Sun

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The Weekend Sun

Lessons the CBD can learn from bushfires My highlight last week was seeing the emerging strengths of our local entrepreneur scene. It’s just like nature bouncing back after a severe bushfire by sprouting new plant life. Bushfires remove the mature plants that overshadow other species, stopping them from growing, and allow the seeds buried in the soil to sprout. The earthquakestrengthening of buildings, the global financial crisis, and the oversupply of commercially-zoned land in the suburbs have been the CBD’s bushfire. But Tauranga is beginning to see fresh, new growth emerge.

Of mutual benefit

Local entrepreneurs are gravitating together to work in clusters for mutual benefit. Co-working spaces and incubators are popping up in the CBD to create an ecosystem for entrepreneurs to establish here. Access to post-graduate students from the CBD tertiary precinct will help entrepreneurs to build robust business opportunities to impress the very healthy local angel investor community. Council’s role is to provide fertile conditions for these unique Tauranga clusters to flourish. We can do this by opening up access to our datasets, adjusting our planning rules, having a facilitative role with industry leaders, and building a CBD people want to

experience, rather than just to shop. I don’t see the CBD as being destroyed; I see it as having plenty of opportunities. This won’t be the last bushfire the CBD will face; and businesses will be challenged to adapt once again. I think it’s a great thing the CBD continues to evolve for the benefit of the regional economy. A CBD with a strong commercial and cultural heart will lead to benefits for retailers, if they can reflect the needs of their evolving environment. Holding onto the good old days won’t cut it anymore, as the globalised economy has changed the rules of the game. Let’s make the best of these opportunities to get ahead.

Kim Dotcom captivation

It’s hardly surprising our county’s media have become captivated by Kim Dotcom. For many, success today is no longer measured by one’s altruistic works nor community spirit and values, but rather by a celebrity-like image and personal wealth. It is considered by many the wealthy are those successful with money; and if successful with money, they must be a good businessman and consequently a good politician. You cannot run a country like a business. The factors that need to be taken into account are more than just numbers on a balance sheet. When you’ve wrung out every last drop of profit, you can sell off your business and move onto the next one. This is not the case with a country. Unless you make all of the money and move offshore, leaving the mess behind you. Increasingly, whether government or corporate, money is king.

independent

VIEWS

An evening with Tom Scott

Writer, cartoonist, satirist, award-winner and icon – Tom Scott is an observer and critical analyst of our political system, politicians, economy and the meaning of Springbok tours. Really, he will take on anything Kiwi, and he takes no prisoners in the process. So why not come By Ian McLean, spokesperson for the hear him speak on Green Party inequality, on Nepal, on Ed Hillary, and on “politicians I have known”. Be entertained. Be thoughtful. Laugh a little, or a lot. Come and consider the meaning of inequality in today’s world. Tom Scott speaks at Wesley Centre, 13th Ave, on Wednesday, April 9, from 7pm. Door entry is a gold coin donation. See you there.

Quiet on meetings front

There are no major council meetings while the Mayor and I are in China, Japan, and Korea for the sister cities delegation. Other councillors are busy engaging the public on the draft annual plan. There is a public roadshow happening throughout the suburbs, where you can discuss our draft plan with councillors and staff. You will not see a column from me next week, as I’ll still be visiting our sister cities. I’ll let you know what we achieved when I get back.

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Feel free to email me your thoughts (matt.cowley@ tauranga.govt.nz), call/text me on 027 6989 548, and follow me at www.facebook.com/a.younger.voice.

The debate over tyre checks

The public debate over the proposal of Tauranga City Council parking wardens checking for bald tyres – which has been put on hold – is a reminder of the importance of good, timely communication and consultation. Feedback/concerns I’ve received: Ramifications for council? Is TWIRL educational or punitive? What is the role of parking wardens – fines for cars with expired parking tickets? Safety issues should be the role of Police? Qualifications of wardens to do ‘Police work’? Wardens should be an ambassador role, not a ‘Police role’.

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Daylight Saving ends Daylight Saving ends this weekend, giving residents an extra hour to sleep in on Sunday morning. So here’s the annual reminder to turn your clocks back – yes back, not forward – when you go to bed on Saturday, April 5. Daylight Saving will begin again on September 28, 2014.

Bay’s Gallipoli success Thirty-five Bay of Plenty residents have been selected to attend the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings in Gallipoli next year. The 35 was among 10,112 people who entered the Gallipoli 2015 ballot for a spot at the ceremony in Turkey on April 25, 2015. A total of 881 people from New Zealand were successful in the ballot. Visit www.gallipoli2015.govt.nz

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The Weekend Sun

Taking it all in their stride A group of Tauranga lawyers are ditching the formal attire and literally stepping out of their comfort zone aiming to walk 100km in 36 hours in the 2014 Oxfam Trailwaker. Bright and early tomorrow morning the four Holland Beckett lawyers, or ‘Hobec Heroes’, will line up as part of the 260-strong international field gearing up to converge on Lake Taupo’s stunning trails. The annual event sees teams of four walk – or run, if they are keen – the full 100 kilometres in less than 36 hours, helping Oxfam raise vital funds to support its work with communities living in poverty in the developing world. Hobec Heroes team leader David Williams says the team is confident it can put its best foot forward, despite leaving their run a little late to register and begin training. Along with David, the team consists of Jessica Dickson, Craig Fowler and returning member Ben Eagleson. “A group of them [Holland Beckett lawyers] did it last year and a few of us walked the 67km length of a Taupo relay in February,” says David. “We did two or three 20-30km walks around Tauranga and are just trying to get an idea for what it is like. But I suppose you can’t really prepare yourself for that sort of distance; we just have to make sure our feet stay together and that we keep the willpower to keep going.” The team’s profile on the Oxfam website describes the quartet as an “eclectic mix of solicitors lying at varying points along the athletic continuum with a few seasoned vets and a few ruckus recruits”. Targeting between 24 and 30 hours to cover

the 100km, the four are already preparing unique conversation starters after exhausting options during training runs. “Some of the people have suggested options of bringing cue cards for conversation topics…we may have to be a little creative moving forward.” Setting their sights on a modest $2000, David is confident the target can easily be eclipsed by the June 18 deadline – currently sitting at $460. So far $616,149 of the $1m target has been raised across all teams. The event begins 6am Saturday morning. By Luke Balvert

David Williams, Jessica Dickson, and Ben Eagleson. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

The Weekend Sun

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The Weekend Sun

Waihi’s first CTC Aviation flight instructor A 21-year-old from Waihi is becoming the first young training provider, CTC Aviation. man from his hometown to land a job as a qualified Darryl Mora stepped into his new role flight instructor with Hamilton-based airline pilot this month after completing professional flight training and a flight instructor’s course through CTC Aviation last year. According to the young pilot, the role sets an excellent foundation for a successful professional flying career. “As a flight instructor with CTC Aviation, I’m teaching alongside some of the most highly-qualified and experienced instructors in the industry,” says Darryl. “We teach cadets in an airline-focussed training environment. And as I teach, I’m being equipped with invaluable skills and experience, which is also preparing me for continued employment within the aviation For a free In-Home Evaluation plus Certified industry.” And Darryl’s dreams are big. “I’d love to Installation with a 10 year warranty, call today become an airline pilot for Air New Zealand 0800 SOLATUBE (765 288) one day. But in the meantime, it’s necessary to get more experience. Being a flight instructor here is the perfect stepping stone.” Although Darryl always knew he wanted to fly, making it a career only occurred to him near the end of high school. “I stumbled across an advert for the CTC Aviation Open *Offers end 31 November 2013. Not in conjunction with any other offer. Day on the internet. I went along and was

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impressed. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a pilot.” Darryl completed the equivalent of what’s now known as the Diploma in Aviation Flight Instructor course. Recently, CTC Aviation announced it’s helping New Zealanders who qualify for the diploma programme with financial sponsorship of nearly $40,000. Additionally, all those who successfully complete the diploma are eligible to gain full-time employment with CTC Aviation as a flight instructor. Darryl says although the training was a lot of work, it was also a lot of fun. “Flying was most definitely my favourite part. I went from not having flown before, to flying all around the country.” Now, as a qualified commercial pilot, Darryl’s able to fly in all weather and be paid for his services. “And finally, in my job as a flight instructor, I get to teach others to qualify for the same.”

Darryl Mora. CTC Aviation managing director Peter Stockwell says the diploma has benefits of professional flight training. “A world-class career as a professional pilot starts with world-class training.”

10 tips for knowing the person giving you advice With all of the publicity about mortgage interest rates, I thought it timely to give you some tips on making sure you’re getting advice in respect of any financial decision you consider.

5. Check whether they provide advice on the service you are seeking. 6. Check they follow the Six Steps Advice Process, which is a good indicator they will have proper systems and processes in place to best meet your needs. 7. Check they will be providing you 1. Make sure you have received a copy with an annual review each year on of the persons current Disclosure a minimum basis. No person stands Statement before they provide you still in time – chances are your with advice. financial circumstances will change 2. Be very clear on your expectations over time. of engagement and ensure you 8. Check they regularly keep themunderstand their expectations of you selves up-to-date with industry the client. changes. 3. Check whether the person 9. What if something goes providing you with advice wrong? What recourse do belongs to an independyou have with them if you ent professional body have a complaint? Ask them with a code of ethics. what process is in place if this 4. Check whether they should happen. provide advice on other 10. If in doubt, get a company products, not By Bruce Cortesi from Planwise Financial Services second opinion. just one.

the

The Weekend Sun

Students get business savvy

International tourism push As Tauranga’s cruise season winds down after setting a new record for tourist numbers, the focus is already on continuing to attract more visitors to the region next season. Tourism Bay of Plenty spokeswoman Kristin Dunne says it’s been a “really positive season” across the board in the coastal Bay of Plenty with more than 240,000 cruise passengers and crew visiting – a increase on last year – who spent an estimated $45 million in the region. “We had 81 ships this season and we are very pleased with the results. It has been our busiest cruise season so far,” says Kristin. While Tourism Bay of Plenty’s team is excited about the 87 cruise ships already booked for next season, general manager Rhys Arrowsmith is off on a month-long

Asian and European promotion to attract more non-cruise international visitors. Despite a 33 per cent increase in international non-cruise visitor nights in the year to January, the group still only accounts for 20 per cent of all visitor nights spent in the region, says Rhys. This is part of the motivation behind Rhys’ involvement in the Tauranga City Council’s delegation visiting sister cities in Asia, where Kristin says they hope to gain leverage from a student exchange agreement being formalised in Yantai with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Waikato University. “This has a strong impact on tours, as both students and their families will be spending visitor time and money in the Bay of Plenty, however more importantly they’ll be returning to China as ambassadors for our region.” Kristin says while Australians are still the biggest opportunity to boost international visitor

Students will be soaking up the keys to business and innovation success this weekend as they compete in the annual Bay of Plenty Trustpower Mashup competition.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith. numbers, Asia is also seen as a key prospect for the region. “We will continue to work in with Tourism New Zealand on how to access the Asian market and take advantage of it. More Asian visitors to New Zealand means an opportunity for the Bay of Plenty.” Other big tourism winners in the region this season include motels and hotels, which attracted more visitors who stayed longer – an extra 55,000 guest nights during December-January compared to the previous period. The region’s attractions have also been reaping benefits of a busy tourist season. Waimarino Adventure Park director Blair Anderson says the increase exceeded expectations in January and he’s confident of achieving one of his best seasons ever. Newlyreleased figures show the region’s key attractions saw total visitors jump by 26 per cent in the year to February, compared with the previous year. By Hamish Carter

In its fourth year, the competition sees secondary school students work in teams using IT, marketing and business skills on real-life business scenarios. With the help of experienced mentors, they develop webpages or applications throughout the weekend, competing for prizes of $400. Mashup coordinator Bruce Fraser says the event is fantastic for teaching students the realities of business and entrepreneurship. Students will receive advice and guidance from mentors in the information

technology and business sectors. “The students get loads out of it. It’s a really good opportunity for them to be working with a mentor, and to see that IT skills aren’t enough; they have to put that together with marketing and presentation. “You can be the best programmer in the world, but you need to be able to pitch it to the client.” Last year’s winners, Pegasus from Tauranga Boys’ College, developed an app for tertiary institute Avonmore, which integrates information and services students need in their study. Avonmore Institute purchased the app from the students, says Bruce. Teams’ presentations will be judged, and four $400 prizes will be awarded on Sunday. The event is at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Bongard Centre on April 5-6.

The Weekend Sun

Dog owners reminded of laws Owning a dog is a lot of responsibility – and Tauranga City Council is pleading with dog owners to abide by the dog bylaw. The area of beach within 200 metres of the Papamoa and Omanu surf clubs are dog-prohibited areas – and new signs have been put up in the area to show this. Tauranga City Council communications manager Frank Begley says the signs are part of a move to clearly inform dog owners of their obligations in these areas. “Council receives very few complaints about dogs in these areas causing actual nuisance. Ideally, we’d like to receive no complaints due to dog owners knowing what their responsibilities are and doing the right things. “That’s why we have installed the signs.”

The most frequent dog-related complaint received by the council is barking dogs. Frank says these make up about 30 per cent of the 3800 complaints received each year. “These are largely dealt with by providing the dog owner with sufficient information for them to resolve the issue themselves. “The next biggest issue is dog owners who do not control their dog. These owners allow their dog to run up to other people or other dogs.” When walking a dog, the owner should put their dog on a lead whenever they approach anybody, says Frank. “Most people, even dog lovers, don’t want another person’s dog running up to them uninvited. There is also a growing concern about dog owners not picking up after their

dog. We are starting to get more people complaining about the accumulation of dog faeces on walkways and parks.” Frank says every owner needs to carry a plastic bag and pick up after their dog and then deposit the bag in the nearest bin. By Letitia Atkinson By Letitia Atkinson

Cat campaign’s new community-driven look A sustainable approach to reducing Tauranga’s stray cat population is launching as the community gathers together with a single feline focus.

ARRC Wildlife Trust is rebranding its ‘Spay the Stray Cat Campaign’ to the ‘Community Cat Project’ to better reflect a long-term commitment to helping un-owned cats. ARRC chairperson Liza Schneider says the ‘Spay the Stray’ campaign illustrated the only way to sustainably manage the problem was to gain community support “Hence our new name the ‘Community Cat Project’. Without a group effort and increasing awareness about responsible pet ownership, we are simply chasing our tails.” Liza says Tauranga stray cat population is still a “massive problem”. “Although we have made significant headway there is still a long way to go before this issue is under control. “Cats breed at a rapid rate and the population could easily get

out of hand if it is not consistently addressed.” The Spay the Stray Cat Campaign launched in September 2012. Since then ARRC staff and volunteers have helped take 646 stray cats/kittens off Tauranga streets, rehomed 343 cats, de-sexed 403 cats/kittens, and humanely euthanased 178 cats/kittens which were severely diseased or not suitable for rehoming. ARRC has also rebranded its image through a grant from Pub Charity and work by Sami Design to better represent the organisation’s work and variety of projects. Liza wishes to thank all of the organisations and businesses in support of ARRC. The new campaign is supported by Tauranga City Council, BOP Regional Council and DOC. By Corrie Taylor

The Weekend Sun

Our fun-infested waters

As a water dog, I’m always keen for a thrash around in the ocean. Just one mention of the word ‘boat’ and I’ll jump into my four web paws, ready for action. Actually, I always wear webbed paws. But even those expansive paddles were no match for a bunch of fishy creatures who sought us out, while anchored in a quiet bay this week. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I was rudely awoken from a nap on the foredeck at sunrise, by a great amount of snorting from blowholes. There was more hot air and fish breath than a Green Party rally. Nine of these big, beasty dolphins were circling the boat and playing in the shallows. They stayed all day until dark, with me and the bosses swimming and taking photos. I was a bit apprehensive at first, but soon found I could swim out among them and they’d come steaming up for a hello, rolling over and cruising around me. When they started jumping clean

out of the water I was a bit worried, but these marine missiles seemed to know exactly what they were doing – and I live to tell the tale. Later in the day it all got a bit kinky, when the finned ones decided to indulge in a bit of fishy hanky panky. That’s when our crew decided to exit and watch from the sidelines, before we became part of a dodgy

Those fish can’t catch me. dolphin three-way and end up trussed up in seaweed, a sort of salty version of Peter Plumley Walker. The antics continued into the night. What a day to remember. The photos and a small selection of the hours of video are up on SunLive, and the Waterline Magazine website, including some pretty cool underwater footage. Visit http://sunlive.co.nz/ news/68485-sex-sea.html

Watch out for chocolate this Easter Easter is nearly upon us, and it is important to be careful with all that extra chocolate in the house. Like most of us, most dogs love the taste of chocolate.

But an active ingredient in chocolate causes problems in dogs. It’s called theobromine, which is a distant cousin of caffeine – and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. When a dog eats chocolate, the theobromine, fat and sugar cause vomiting, diarrhoea, nervousness, restlessness,

panting, shaking, abnormal heart rhythms, pancreatitis, seizures – and if enough is eaten, it can cause death. Symptoms usually occur within onefour hours of ingestion, and can last for four days. Sensitivity varies between dogs, but as an example, a 50g bar of dark chocolate would make a 5kg dog very unwell. And what is eaten with the chocolate can also be a problem; tinfoil and plastic wrappings can cause blockages in the digestive tract. The other toxicity we see sometimes at Easter time, is from eating raisins. Dogs can be very sensitive to grapes and raisins, and kidney failure can result. The odd raisin or grape is not a problem, but if you are making homemade hot cross buns, just make sure your pet doesn't have access to a bowl full of dried fruits. The good news is we have a simple medication we can use to empty their stomach, if we see them soon enough. Please ring us if you’re concerned, and we can help you decide if treatment is required.

Handsome Danny

My name is Danny and I’m a handsome eight-year-old male cat. I came to the SPCA after I was left behind when my owners moved away. I’m a lovely boy who is hoping someone is looking for a cuddly adult cat. If you have a space in your home and a nice comfy couch for me curl up on, please come in and meet me to see if I might be the perfect new addition to your household or call 07 578 0245 for more information. Ref no: 19857.

The Weekend Sun

Bay teen wrestling her way to the top She may be petite – but don’t mess with Bay of Plenty teenage wrestler Merinda Bramley. The 16-year-old has arrived back from the Oceania Wrestling Championships in Pago Pago, America Samoa,

with four gold medals. “I’m feeling pretty happy. I was pretty confident because I’ve been training,” says Merinda. Weighing 46kg, Merinda picked up gold in the cadet and junior freestyle as well as beach wrestling. She’s also won a trial which could see her qualify for the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic

Games on August 25-27. Merinda says there is only one female spot in the Youth Olympics, which she and another girl above her weight group are fighting for. She joined Mount Maunganui Wrestling Club at age 11 and trains twice-weekly with national coach Mark Grayling. Since qualifying for a Youth Olympic trial, Merinda has

been upping her training efforts with Mark by going to the gym and lifting weights. To help with her journey of becoming an Olympic wrestler, Merinda is fundraising to cover travel and accommodation costs. To donate, email brabey@xtra. co.nz or phone Merinda’s father Martin on 021 238 8335. By Zoe Hunter

Gold medal wrestler Merina Bramley. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

A racing summer send-off for bike club Tauranga’s mountain bike club is enjoying one last social summer send-off this Sunday, April 6, with the return of the XC Eliminator. This year the event’s on offer to juniors and seniors and is set to be a short and sharp ride. Four riders will line up to conquer one five-minute lap, with the two fastest competitors advancing through to the next round. Mountainbike Tauranga Inc’s outgoing president Damian Pootjes says last year the inaugural event attracted 50 adults – so the club decided to open it up to juniors this year. “It went down really well last time we ran the event, so we

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thought we’d make an afternoon of it this Sunday.” Held at the jump park and down the skills track at Summerhill, the event is on from 2pm-6pm, with under 13, under 16 and men’s and women’s categories.

“We’ll probably get quite a few juniors, so we’re hoping to get up to 100 people up there,” says Damian. “Instead of the usual 10-15 minute lap, Sunday’s event offers a short lap that only takes riders two-three minutes to finish. Damian says those who don’t advance can enter a ‘B’ draw to be played out. “It’s a very social event too – we’ll have the barbecue going, spot prizes including ‘best dressed’, so hopefully we’ll get families along.” Entry costs $10 for club members and $15 for non-members. For more information, visit www.mtbtauranga.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

Phone: 07 5710376 Email: ajslimited@xtra.co.nz

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day 5km fun run/walk!

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The Weekend Sun

Lands full and rich with treasures We are delighted to have Amaan Khan, the managing director of New Zealand’s foremost Asian specialist company, host a magical evening showcasing the delights of four very special Southern Asian destinations.

Join us as we take you on a journey through these amazing Asian lands so full and rich with treasures. Southern Asia is a feast for the senses: Think of India and you think of colourful saris, delicious spicy food, sacred cows, sensual smells, rickshaws, and chaotic-yetirresistible markets packed with fantastic handmade treasures. Sri Lanka, the Emerald Isle, is all

Sun d 11 th ay Ma y

about ancient ruins, lush tea plantations, rolling hills, tropical beaches and national parks full of amazing wildlife. Nepal, the Himalayan Kingdom, is a country of amazing extremes; ethnic diversity, ornate temples and primordial villages. With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, it’s known as the roof of the world. And shadowed by snow-capped Himalayan peaks, Bhutan, the ‘land of the Thunder Dragon’ elicits visions of a Shangri-la perched on the top of the world. Explore ancient cities, temples, monu-

ments, history and architecture dating back to the colonial period. So much See romantic deserts, camels to do in sauntering across golden dunes, India. exotic men in colourful turbans, Now is the time to visit these unspoilt, princely palaces and temples. Relax on and in cases, little-visited destinations. riverboat cruises, visit local villages and We will be unveiling some very special sample the hospitality of local people trips to these areas on the night, so we’d who contribute to the ethnic diversity love to see you here for a glass of wine, of these colourful countries. a casual chat and a journey through the And uncover folk arts, regional markets, savour local cuisine and experience spectacular views and stunning vistas of these incredible Asian hotspots. the colour and excitement of By Jemma Wilson, House of Travel Papamoa fabulous festivals.

Young kayaker ready to race the globe’s waters A Tauranga kayaker is off to conquer the globe – in her kayak – as she prepares for the ICF Junior and U23 World Canoe Slalom Championships in Australia later this month. A member of New Zealand’s whitewater canoe slalom performance squad, Kaydi O’Connor Stratton needs to raise $5000 to fly the Kiwi flag across the ditch – and to help her reach her goal she’s enlisting community support. The 17-year-old earned her spot in the New Zealand Canoe Slalom Junior K1 Women’s team to compete at the world championships in Penrith from four selection races in NZ and Australia. She placed second in the first two selection races while in NZ – and 11th in the third and fourth in Australia, but was the second NZ paddler to cross the line. It was Kaydi’s first time racing on Penrith whitewater in

Sund ay 11 M ay

Join us this Mother’s Day for our annual 5km Jennian Homes fun run/ th walk. This wonderful cause supports the Heart Foundation’s Go Red for Sund Joincampaign us this Mother’s for our Women and isDay a great way ay annual 5km Jennian Homes funfamily run/ th to spend a special day with your 1 1 walk. This wonderful cause supports May or friends. This campaign celebrates the the Heart Foundation’s Go Red for energy, passion and power women have Women campaign and is a great way When Sand to band together to Day beat heart disease unda Jointousspend this Mother’s our your a special dayforwith family y women of5km all Jennian fitness levelsfun are invited to join annual Homes run/ or friends. This campaign celebrates the th 1 1 walk. This wonderful cause supports When in the fun. energy, passion and power women have May the Heart Foundation’s Go Red for

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10.00am Sunday 11th May. Check-in and on the day Where in the fun. registration from 9.00am. The fun run/walk begins and finishes at Kulim Park, Kulim Costs Avenue, Tauranga. Where When Where Costs The fun run/walk begins and finishes Kulim 10.00am Sunday 11th May. Check-in and onatthe day Park, Kulim Costs registration 9.00am. Avenue, from Tauranga. Registrations and more info • Single $20 • Where Mother/Daughter combo $15 each Costs Costs andatmore info The begins65yr+) and finishes Kulim Park, Kulim • fun run/walk Single $20 • Registrations Senior $15 (aged

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Avenue, Tauranga. • Mother/Daughter each Group (10+) $14 each combo (women$15 only event)

Registrations and more info Costs Registrations and more info • Single $20 • •

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Registrations and more info Registrations and more info

• Mother/Daughter combo $15 each Registration opens 1st April. For more information visit • Senior $15 (aged 65yr+) jennian.co.nz. • Registration Group (10+)opens $14 each only event) 1st (women April. For more information visit

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the final two selection races, and she feels nerves caught the better of her. “But I guess this was a big learning curve for me and now I have learnt to deal with my nerves,” says Kaydi. “I feel like I could have done a lot better as silly mistakes cost me a lot – it’s all experience I guess.” Since then, Kaydi spent another four weeks training on the Penrith course competing in the Oceania Championships where she placed fifth. Kaydi wants to thank Global Fitness Mount Maunganui, Phil Laurence, Damon Stewart and Mr and Mrs Blackely for their support. To get to the ICF Junior and U23 World Canoe Slalom Championships this month, Kaydi is hoping to raise $5000. She’s looking for sponsors to help her further her sporting career. Contact Kaydi at Kaydi.oconnor@gmail.com

& Southern Asia

ADVENTURE TRAVEL CLUB

We are delighted to have Amaan, the Managing Director of New Zealand’s foremost Asian specialist, host a magical evening showcasing the delights of four very special Southern Asian destinations. Think INDIA and you think colourful saris, delicious spicy food and chaotic markets packed with fantastic handmade treasures. SRI LANKA, the Emerald Isle, is lush tea plantations, rolling hills, tropical beaches & National Parks full of amazing wildlife. NEPAL, the Himalayan Kingdom, is a blend of history, culture and a grandeur that evokes eternal fascination. And shadowed by snow-capped Himalayan peaks, BHUTAN, the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, elicits visions of a Shangri-la perched on the top of the world. Now is the time to visit these unspoilt, and in cases, little visited destinations. We would love to see you here for a glass of wine, a casual chat and a journey through the spectacular views and stunning vistas of these incredible Asian hotspots. House of Travel Papamoa 07 542 9300 | jemmaw@hot.co.nz

Special Guest Presenter

ADVENTURE TRAVEL CLUB

Showcasing Southern Asia Thursday 10th April 2014

Where: House of Travel Papamoa, Domain Road, Papamoa Time: Starts 6pm & finishes at 8pm Registration is essential. Please contact Jemma on jemmaw@hot.co.nz or 07 542 9300

The Weekend Sun

AUTUMN Orchids on show Interested gardeners beware – it only comes once a year – and it’s set to be a blooming delight.

The 2014 Bay Of Plenty Orchid Show is next Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, from 10am to 4pm daily at Te Puke War Memorial Hall. “We’ll have a variety of plants on display, pot sales, bromeliads, carnivorous plant sales, speciality stalls, raffles and a Te Puke Art Society paintings display – it will be unbelievable,” says Elizabeth Bailey. The Tauranga resident, a member of the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty orchid societies, has been growing orchids for about 45 years and will display her own plants at the show. “It all started off with my sister giving me a cymbidium – and it went from there,” says Elizabeth, who is also judging at the event. “When judging, you look for quality of the plant, the texture and the ease or difficulty of growing – when you see something really beautiful that could be awarded, well that’s the process we go through.” The retiree says she grows cattleya,

oncidiums, sarcochilus – an Australian native – masdevallia and zygopetalums to keep her busy. “A lot of people when they retire have nothing to do; they might socialise and have coffees in town, but to me life’s far more about being outside and growing plants.” Elizabeth also grows bromeliads and is part of the Bromeliads Society, which will have a display at the show too. She says the show is a big event for Te Puke and offers much more than orchids. “An Auckland man is selling species, another is selling cymbidiums from China, there’s a man with the most fantastic selection of pots, hangars and baskets, and another Auckland man is selling beautiful cattleyas.” Other attractions include silk scarves, wooden jewellery and preserves for sale. The BOP Orchid Show is on April 11-12 at Te Puke War Memorial Hall. Entry is $3 and children enter for free.

By Merle Foster

Pictured: Elizabeth Bailey with some of her orchid collection ahead of this year’s Bay Of Plenty Orchid Show. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Cooler months call for power check-up As we head into the cooler months, Warren Judge at Otumoetai Cycles and Mowers says now is a good time to get all outdoor power equipment checked and serviced.

Whether it’s a small line trimmer, or large walk-behind self-powered lawnmower, Warren believes he has all of the gear and expertise to get the job done. He highly recommends getting the lawnmower serviced as he says it increases the overall quality of the mower, helps it operate smoother and can increase the life span of the machine. “Having your lawnmower serviced regularly greatly lessens the risk of mechanical failure or breakdown – very important when you rely on your mower during peak cutting periods,” says Warren. “Lawnmower servicing can reduce the chance of having to replace costly parts before a problem occurs.”

“It also increases both your safety and the safety of the machine.” The Cambridge Rd store stocks a large range of products and parts – and staff can service most makes and models of outdoor power equipment. This includes line trimmers, chainsaws, lawnmowers, blowers, blower vacs, generators, water pumps and all other small petrol powered engines. Warren is committed to offering both domestic customers and commercial-based clients the benefit of more than 30 years’ knowledge and experience. Otumoetai Cycles and Mowers is a Makita outdoor power equipment sales and service dealer. This allows the store to offer clients a range of equipment similar – and in most cases better than – other well-known brands on the market, says Warren. He is offering a free pair of Flail

blades to all readers who mention this article when bringing in their lawnmower for a service.

Pictured: Otumoetai Cycles and Mowers owner Warren Judge with a Makita chainsaw. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

The Weekend Sun

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A group of Mount Maunganui’s junior surfers can be forgiven for sneaking away and spending countless hours among the waves to precisely honing their skills – and for good reason.

This month, five Western Bay of Plenty junior surfers will eagerly arrive in Ecuador to assert themselves on the pinnacle of the junior world stage – the 2014 Vissla ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. And of the 12-strong New Zealand team, four are from Mount Maunganui College – Kehu Butler, Kea Smith, Jonas Tawharu and Elin Tawharu – alongside Tauranga Boys’ College’s Jordan Griffin in a record selection from one region. The group enter the world class field of more than 250 entrants from 30 nations with recent title success, with Jonas and Elin claiming the Under 16 girls’ and boys’, and Kehu the Under 14 boys’ national championships. For Kehu and Kea, the surfing connection and rapid rise on the national scene stems further than college, dating back to growing up and being in the same class at Te kura o Matapihi School. The pair, both aged 13, will compete

in the Under 16 division – and it’s Kehu’s second trip to the junior event. “It’s quite a high level of surfing and high performance; and there are a lot of people we have never heard of and don’t know,” says Kehu. I’m really excited and it will be cool. I have only been to Australia and that’s it; I have never been to Ecuador,” says Kea. Recently, the surfing pair paid a special visit to their former school in the lead up to the world event, where they were each presented $5000 by the Kumikumi Trust towards their trip. “It’s a huge weight off both of our shoulders. It means no more fundraising, as it covers the whole trip,” says Kehu. And with fundraising and travel costs now covered, Kehu and Kea are putting all of their spare time into training and surfing, fitting it in around their education at Mount Maunganui College. “We are trying to get out there as much as possible,” says Kea. But they’ll not be alone, with college surf coach and teacher Khan Butler travelling as the New Zealand co-coach and manager of the Ecuador-bound NZ team. The World Junior Surfing Championships is an annual event. The 2014 edition takes place at La Fae Beach, Salinas, Ecuador, April 5-13. By Luke Balvert

Relax!

Tauranga Compute rs

Ltd

Future netball captains Two keen Tauranga netballers are still buzzing after leading Waikato/Bay of Plenty Kia Magic on court before their winning match against West Coast Fever at ASB Arena. St Mary’s Catholic School student 10-year-old Lauren Kerr and Aquinas College student 11-year-old Kate Kuka won ANZ Future Captain’s competition for the chance to fly the team flags, which led Magic and Fever on court before the game. As part of their prize, Lauren and Kate got to meet Magic captain Casey Kopua

and Fever captain Natalie Medhurst. On March 30, Magic kept their winning streak by claiming a fifth consecutive win against Fever in their first Tauranga game of the season.

The Weekend Sun

Appraised Used Vehicles

The Weekend Sun

Super finish for Tauranga team Tauranga-based superbike team M1 Motorsport is still fizzing over a dramatic reversal of fortunes seeing rider Linden Magee claim second place in the New Zealand Superbike Championship Series at Manfeild last weekend. It was an outcome which even the most loyal M1 supporter couldn’t have even dreamed of following Gold Coast rider Linden’s mixed season riding for the team, which saw him break a collarbone and fracture a wrist

in a horrific crash in round two at Manfeild. Team spokeswoman Jos Mason says only a week ago they’d been aiming to finish fifth among the remaining 14 riders in the five-round series, so Linden’s outstanding performance in Manfeild where he won two of the three races is an “absolute dream”. Jos says it is great to see Linden riding at his peak after his earlier rounds were hampered by mechanical issues and injuries. By Hamish Carter

Back to the beach Papamoa’s Stephen and Garth Spain were delighted with the interest in their Mini Mokes at their Whangamata ‘homecoming’.

DON’T

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They might be as British as the Union Jack, but that wasn’t going to stop them taking part in a Whangamata’s annual tribute to American automobiles. “We certainly didn’t win any trophies – they all went to American cars – but we still got plenty of attention,” says Garth Spain, who after about six years of toiling restored his second Mini Moke just in time for the Beach Hop. After falling for the cute opentopped, door-less beach buggy on a holiday eight years ago, Garth and

son Stephen eventually tracked one down to buy. Within 18 months they had bought their second Moke – Whangamata Real Estate’s promotional car – they discovered for sale at the Hop in 2008. “We bought it on the spot from Russell Hunt, the owner,” recalls Garth, who promised he’d bring it back to Whangamata when it fully reconditioned. “It went really well.” “It created far more interest than we ever expected with hundreds of people coming up talking to us about the car and getting photos,” says Garth, who talks about the enthusiasm for the Moke’s ‘home-coming’ – particularly from Whangamata locals. After eight years of weekend and

evening work to restore the Mini Mokes, which were originally designed as a prototype military vehicle and became popular as a beach buggy, Garth has no plans for more restorations. “Quite a few people have been asking me what I’m doing next, but I’m not going to do anything; I’m just going fishing,” says Garth, who admits he might eventually take on another project. Now he and Stephen are looking forward to returning to Whangamata in October for the Brits at the Beach event, when the Mokes will be among hundreds of British cars on display. Garth also pays tribute to Karl Amundsen, from Bay Panel Beaters, for help with body work and paint, along with support from Gary King and Barry Spain for the gearbox and motor rebuild. By Hamish Carter

The Weekend Sun

Egg-free addictive gourmet There have been a few changes in the neighbourhood; the chickens have been subjected to a lot lately, with new restrictions on roaming and a new ‘ball of fluff ’ puppy chasing them. As a result, egg-laying is now in decline, and is another blow to one of my essential supplies. Like my favourite brand of green tea being out of stock at the supermarket, or not making it to the farmers’ market in time to get your Flaveur breads. Life’s gourmet addictions keep you going at times and it’s only thanks to a local coffee I’m fixated enough to function in the mornings. As I mentioned, there have been a few rumblings in the neighbourhood. The council paid me another visit about my chickens crossing the road, and generally wandering, early morning then again late evening. It’s called free-ranging. Can’t they see the sign? So obviously the question was asked: Why did the chickens cross the road? The answer was simple: some long-established neighbours feed scraps to their favourite chickens, which they know by name, while other newly-arrived locals just have the council on speed dial.

Next it will be a complaint about my front berm, where I grow wild flowers and herbs mixed in the long grass. When I do mow the lawns I’m confronted with the smell of different herbs, including the underutilised dill in this week’s recipe: an eggfree, savoury green tea noodle cake.

SEAFOOD

Prawn, pork and green tea noodle cake Serves 6 Ingredients 180g green tea soba noodles 1 Tbsp of sesame oil 3 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 Tbsp kepis udang/dark prawn paste from an Asian supermarket 4-6 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce ¾ cup fresh dill, chopped ½ brown onion, chopped 250g icy partly thawed raw prawns 200g minced pork, well-chilled Sea salt and pepper Method First, cook the noodles off for three-four minutes in boiling salted water. Drain and then rinse slightly, leaving warm. Mix together the two oils and splash most of the mix on the noodles with half of the dill. Line a suitable-size baking tray with baking paper and spread the noodles out on tray. Combine all of the other ingredients, including the rest of the oils and all the dill, in a food processor and whiz to a fine paste. Microwave a small blob to check and adjust seasoning then spread over noodles and place in the oven at 160 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes until cooked. Serve cold or warm, with a relish or dark soya sauce.

The Weekend Sun

Culinary feast for connecting community A Food Fest is taking over Pahoia School this Saturday afternoon with the aim of reaching out to the wider community under the guise of coming together for a delicious smorgasbord of culinary treats.

Principal Marcus Norrish says the recurring event’s main focus is not to raise funds but to connect Pahoia’s wider community to its school. “The Food Fest is really a community event, so it’s opened up to the wider community – and the whole idea is for families to come together. “There’s music and a range of food and beverages available.” Marcus says school parents make the food to sell at the fest, which begins at 4pm Saturday, April 5. Pahoia’s community enjoy their school’s Food Fest last year. It’s on again this Saturday afternoon – and everyone is welcome to attend.

Healthy eating for the body A Tauranga couple is hosting a free community event to encourage Bay residents to eat healthy. Veronica and Alex Saccone are inviting people to attend their ‘Healthy Tasty Eating Get Together’ at Pilot Bay on Sunday, April 6. At the event, the couple will be showing participants how to cook with their gluten-free product Mila Balance – a food product that can be used as an alternative to meat. The couple say nutrients in the foods people eat support the activities of day-to-day living by giving the body energy to keep the heart beating, the brain active, and the muscles working. But it’s not only the nutrients that support this, it’s the quality and quantity a person consumes, says Veronica.

Healthy tasty eating owner Veronica Saccone. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Ph 0508 KIWIFRESH (0508 549 437)

“Let’s not forget a balanced diet is the only thing we need to keep our body full of energy. “This comes together with drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and reducing stress among other things.” Veronica says people have plenty of options when deciding what to have for dinner. “You can order online, you can go down town, you can ask food be delivered to your door.” But she says eating healthy can be an easy and tasty option if people commit to it. “Most of the foods you consume on a gluten-free diet may help promote healthy weight loss, especially if you eat a well-balanced diet containing essential protein, carbohydrates and fat. “In most cases, a well-balanced vegetarian diet is beneficial in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.” Healthy Tasty Eating is at Pilot Bay on April 6 from noon to 2pm. Participants are asked to bring their own drinks, vegetables and bread. By Zoe Hunter

“It’s a social night. The parents have meat on the spit, hot dogs, curries, nachos, sushi, waffles and a range of desserts. “There are also usual gala-type activities including a bouncy castle for the children.” Marcus says while the event has a small fundraising ability, it’s

mainly an investment in communitytogetherness. “It aims to go a bit wider than just the school community – there a lot of people that aren’t quite so attached to the school anymore who can come along, as well the rest of the By Merle Foster area’s residents.”

The Weekend Sun

Children’s 10 tonne rubbish clean-up More than 300 children will be keeping an eye on Gate Pa’s rubbish situation after helping clean up more than 10 tonnes of unwanted waste from the end of Wylie and Jones streets this week.

Pupils from Gate Pa School, Greerton Village School and Greenpark School helped to clear rubbish from about 2km of reserve track and walkways as part of the Wylie and Jones Street Reserve Clean-Up Day. Tauranga City Council pollution prevention officer Toby Barach says historically there has been a lot of dumping in the area during the last 20 years and this is the first time a clean-up day has been organised for this site.

Trash unnoticed

“Because the reserve area has always been quite well hidden and not well used, a lot of the rubbish has gone unnoticed,” says Toby. On Tuesday, the children cleared truckloads of rubbish, including three car bodies, at least 50 tyres, four washing machines, six lounge suites, old cow bones, a lawn mower and a microwave from the back of the reserve.

Pupils cleaning up the reserve on Tuesday. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

“A lot of it’s been hidden,” says Toby. “We’re finding a lot of the historical stuff all of the vegetation’s grown over, but there’s a lot of new stuff too; there are 10 TVs that would’ve only been dumped here in the last 12 months.” Toby says the key is for children to learn how to avoid continuous clean-ups of these areas and what they can do to reduce the impact.

Problem inherited

“They’re the future and the reality is they’re inheriting whatever problems we give them. The important thing is for them to know there are things they can do to ensure they have a future to move into. “We talk about New Zealand being clean and green and the message for them will be you actually need to work at making sure it stays that way.”

By Zoe Hunter

Martial arts to tackle bullying head on In a perfect world your baby would be cared for by you. For the next best thing, consider PORSE.

Bullying is done by people who need to boost their confidence by diminishing others. This generates two main issues; the first is lower self-esteem due to continuous reminders of a particular difference or a mistake of the past. The second consequence of bullying is isolation due to shame

and fear of further attacks, which turns the victim silent and perpetuates the problem. Martial arts is a great way of dealing with bullying since it treats both ends.

Achievements

Firstly, it elevates the victims’ self-esteem and confidence through personal achievements in class. It also integrates

them socially, by seeing them meet new people and make new friends. By doing this, the two big monsters created by bullying fade away, allowing the victims to realise they can deal with their problems. On the other hand, when bullies learn martial arts, the same principles eliminate the need to put others down simply because they’re

now achieving their own goals, therefore boosting their confidence. Martial art students also learn to deal with their anger and channel it into something productive. We have to remember bullies are often victims themselves and find an outlet in this type of violence.

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Last but not least, students overcome their fear; fear that can push them into being violent themselves so others won’t try anything against them. So if you know anybody – and I do mean anyone, not only children – who is on either end of bullying, suggest they try martial arts – and join them.

The Weekend Sun

Mount spa offering exclusive makeup

In a move to offer clients the best quality, non-toxic, most luxurious mineral makeup, Sanctum is introducing a new product line available from its revamped Mount Maunganui spa. From today, the client-focused team at the Victoria Rd spa will be offering consultations and a full range from one of the world’s most

innovative and eco-friendly brands – Youngblood. Sanctum is the only Tauranga salon stocking the brand, developed by an American medical aesthetician seeking to provide patients recovering from laser treatments on acne and rosacea with makeup that provides coverage, while allowing the skin to breathe. Now Youngblood has grown into an extensive fashion-focused makeup artistry range. Sanctum owner Lisa Shea has been looking at

Sanctum therapists Becky and Victoria test the new Youngblood products. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

the line for the last three years and is excited to finally be able to offer the product. “We are always looking to learn better results-driven techniques, supply the highest quality of products, and we head for nontoxic, natural or organic ingredients where possible.” For Lisa, Youngblood is the perfect choice for everyone – from a light moisture tint to wear up the Mount, to full coverage that won’t block the pores, while offering ontrend lip and eye colours. “There are lots of mineral makeups out there, but they are not all created equal, usually you have to compromise on something. Its great that we’ve found an artistry range that cares for the skin.” YB’s product line includes liquid, cream, loose and pressed powder mineral foundations, sheer tints, primers, concealers, setters, antishine balms, blushers, and every eye and lip product imaginable. All staff at Sanctum have received full training in Youngblood products and are available for colour-matches or 30-minute makeup application lessons. “Our clients have told us it’s hard

Swine flu considered seasonal With the winter months approaching, people are being warned to prepare for seasonal influenza, formerly known as swine flu.

H1N1 was first seen in New Zealand in 2009 and resulted after genetic material from bird, pig and human influenza combined. Bay of Plenty Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack says there have been no reported cases in the Bay of Plenty because swine flu is not a notifiable disease. “What’s called novel influenza, in other words completely new strains of influenza, is notifiable. “But since 2009, when swine flu first appeared, it’s become by far the most predominant influenza virus.” Swine flu now is known as seasonal flu and is responsible for 80 to 90 per cent of all flu cases each year. Phil says the Hawke’s Bay experiencing eight cases of swine flu in the last few months is a good reminder that even though it’s responsible for most cases of flu, and it’s now essentially just called seasonal

influenza, it still can cause significant illness. “Most cases of influenza are perceived by the community as being a nuisance, as opposed to being life-threatening, but influenza can always be potentially life- threatening – and every year some people die from it.” Phil says the best way for people to protect themselves is to get a flu vaccination from their local GP. “It’s always available from GPs at this time of the year.”

By Letitia Atkinson

to remember everything your therapist has taught you with full face lessons, so we tend to break it down into coverage, eyes, checks and lips – we are more than happy to tailor them to your needs.”

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The Weekend Sun

International expert visits city An international holistic health and nutrition expert is speaking in Tauranga in a one-off event next week. Dr Libby is the best-selling author of ‘Accidentally Overweight’, ‘Rushing Woman’s Syndrome’ and ‘Beauty from The Inside Out’ as well as cookbooks: ‘The Real Food Chef ’ and ‘The Real Food Kitchen’. Her holistic approach to health – meaning she not only considers what people eat and the way they may (or not) exercise, but also a wide variety of hormones that may be playing a role in how an individual looks and feels – sees her travel the world speaking at events and hosting workshops. Dr Libby will speak in Tauranga on April 10. Ahead of the event, she spoke to The Weekend Sun about what her audience can expect to hear. “This 90-minute seminar will cover the mechanisms the body uses to burn body fat as a fuel – vital information for everyone. “It’s information that doesn’t just impact how your clothes fit you, but how well you sleep, your level of energy, and your mood.” Emotional eating will also be covered, says Dr Libby, with sustainable weight loss being the most common topic people approach her for solutions to.

Holistic nutrition and health expert Dr Libby is speaking at ASB Baypark next week. “We hear so often how people lose and gain the same weight over and over and never feel as if they have the answers to what may be driving their body to behave in this manner.” Her two top health tips for The Weekend Sun readers are: 1. Double the amount of vegetables you currently eat. 2. What you focus on is what you feel, so be in touch with what you are grateful for. Dr Libby is in Tauranga at ASB Baypark, on ThursBy Corrie Taylor day, April 10 at 6.30pm.

The Weekend Sun has a double pass to Dr Libby’s Tauranga seminar to give away to a lucky reader who can tell us what date she is speaking. Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section. Entries must be received by Tuesday, April 8. Tickets for the seminar are $29.95 each and can be purchased, along with best-selling books, at www.drlibby.com

The Weekend Sun

The silent killer that affects one in four people The human body is composed of trillions of cells and performs many complex miracles daily to keep us healthy and alive. It is also good at adjusting to the many stresses and strains we put it through in our various lifetimes. There is always a limit; and today we take a look at an easily avoided, life-threatening condition which affects one-in four – or more – people in the developed world. When we eat any meal or snack, the carbohydrate portion is turned into glucose and ends

up in our bloodstream. Our little pancreas makes a clever hormone called insulin, which helps move the glucose around the body to where it is needed for energy. If we exceed the amount we need, the excess is stored as fat. If this becomes a long-term pattern during a number of years, two things will happen. Firstly, your body will become resistant to the insulin. This means it will take more insulin to shift the same amount of glucose. Secondly, your pancreas will tire of the

continuous pressure to make lots of insulin and either be unable to provide enough or this mechanism will break down entirely. When this happens, you’ll be unable to clear the glucose out of your bloodstream, and the resulting high levels will cause inflammation in your blood vessels. You will be a type 2 diabetic and likely to need the right lifestyle changes or medication to put this right. This has been largely a silent condition – and you probably wondered why you were putting

How gut and mental health link Did you know you have two brains? Yes, you’re that smart. The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) controls almost all voluntary and involuntary activities within your body. For example, a voluntary action would be slicing your veggies, while an involuntary action would be blinking. The involuntary actions carried out by your central nervous system are constantly at work taking care of you. Now guess where your second brain lives: Your gut. It has a mind of its very own. Your gut’s ‘brain’ is known as the enteric nervous system. This system is home to 100 million neurons within your intestinal wall. These little neurons transmit important information throughout your body. They also control digestion and send status updates

to the brain, letting it know how things are going in your belly. Your two nervous systems have an intricate relationship. While the enteric nervous system initiates and sustains digestion on its own, signals from the brain, such as stress and anxiety, can have dramatic effects on how well it works. In addition, the brain receives chemical messages from the gut, which can affect your mood and emotions. In fact, the vast majority of serotonin – a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, anxiety, depression and more – is actually made in your gut, not your brain. It’s all connected – and few people consider their digestive health when they’re feeling too emotional to cope. So next time you feel foggy, depressed or emotional, it may be all about your gut health.

My initial response is cholesterol is only one risk factor and there are many others to consider. Large studies show there are many people with low cholesterol who develop heart disease. However, all other things considered, high low-density lipoproteins cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease. When I complete a cardiovascular nutritional assessment I look at all the risk factors including cholesterol, blood sugar control, weight management, homocysteine, systemic inflammation, general diet – especially antioxidant and mineral status – and family and medical history. There have been many natural compounds shown to influence cholesterol. The most common are plant sterols, high dose vitamin B3 (niacin), fish oils, red rice yeast extract, gugulipid and policosanol. The problem is these generally are only partially effective; and then only in some people. Plant sterols are the most effective of these but only influence cholesterol re-absorption from the digestive tract and not new liver cholesterol production. A clinical trial com-

pared these various natural compounds with a US-patented formula Sytrinol. The results show Sytrinol had a significantly greater impact on cholesterol balance than these other compounds as reflected in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. While most people can take Sytrinol, it will probably have the greatest application for people who have high cholesterol but are otherwise healthy but prefer not to use statin medications. Interestingly two of my clients showed their GP

Sytrinol information, who then suggested they go on a three-month trial, as both were badly affected by statin medications. To assess benefits, I recommend a three-month trial on the full dose of two capsules daily, followed by a new blood test. Give me a call if you need more information. To join my weekly newsletter go to www.johnarts.co.nz and visit www.abundant.co.nz

Leigh is the founder of Eat for Keeps and can be contacted on 027 2941980 or by emailing katlee@xtra.co.nz

GUT HEALTH FEEL FOGGY, DEPRESSED OR EMOTIONAL, IT MAY BE YOUR GUT HEALTH

Natural methods to lower cholesterol During the years many people have contacted me about ‘natural’ methods to balance cholesterol.

on weight and maybe feeling excessively thirsty and lethargic. Continued inflammation in your blood vessels will wreak havoc; and that is why you hear of type 2 diabetics becoming blind, being on dialysis, having amputations, and suffering from other life-threatening conditions. Our reluctance to eat fat, carbohydrate excesses and obvious environmental factors are providing a perfect storm for the diabetes’ epidemic. If you are unsure of where you stand, see your GP to have the relevant tests.

LET Therapy Lymphatic Enhancement Technology

Desiree De Spong 0800 4 LYMPH (0800459674)

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John Arts is a qualified nutritional therapist and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz

Taylor Burley

Kleiman

Abundant Health

The Weekend Sun

Gas leak in Omokoroa

Civil Defence volunteers test their skills

S1414saWBOPDC

A gas leak scenario in an Omokoroa subdivision, causing the evacuation of residents, will test the skills of Civil Defence welfare volunteers. The simulated exercise on Wednesday 9 April, is being run by the Western Operating Area BOP Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and will operate from the Omkoroa Coummunity Church from 6.00pm and the wider community is welcome to take part in the event. Many community and emergency response teams have been invited to attend the event including St John Ambulance, Victim Support, Work and Income and local residents. The Omokoroa situation will include volunteers from Waihi Beach and Katikati and is an excellent opportunity to put volunteers’ training into practise. Gloria encourages local residents to attend the event to witness what happens in a disaster or emergency situation. “I would like to see the community coming along so that we can spread awareness of what is involved in welfare support and to let people see that we have Civil Defence Welfare teams up-and-running to look after their communities in the event of an emergency,” says Gloria. There are about 100 welfare volunteers trained and ready to respond in the Western Bay District from Waihi Beach to Pukehina. In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, these volunteer cells are ready to go into action. However there is always room for more volunteers – and Gloria is hopeful that the Omokoroa and Te Puke exercises may inspire more local residents to join up for welfare training. For more information contact Gloria Oliver, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, email: gloria.oliver@westernbay.govt.nz or phone 571 8008

www.getthru.govt.nz

Solve real demise of our fisheries Were any of my fellow fishers watching the ‘Breakfast’ show on Tuesday morning,when the Minister for Decimated Fisheries and other mess ups held up a picture of a 30cm snapper because he couldn’t catch a real one? Would you all agree? He couldn’t catch a real one and quite possibly never will in his snapper zone, where the only place he may find one is at Bellamy’s thanks to his stewardship of our most precious national resource, our fishery. I challenge the Minister to hold up a 25cm baby snapper on national television to show the country what he deems to be takeable by commercial enterprises (most

of which is wasted). I further challenge the Minister to disclose the record of penalties and charges against commercial fishing companies compared to recreational fishermen. I suspect this would show us all how not to protect our fisheries. I have no problem with the new rules of 30cm snapper and seven per day and most fishos feel the same way. But let’s target the real cause of our declining fisheries and that is decades of destruction and waste by commercial fishing, aided and abetted by politicians who would be challenged to recognise the difference between a hook, line or sinker. K Molloy, Omokoroa.

Senior digs - just do your research Re: ‘Senior living: The horrible truth’ (The Weekend Sun, March 28). In a capitalist society products are for sale and if you like the look of the product you are free to buy it. If you are uncertain, do lots of research. Any responsible business will make a profit and shareholders rightfully expect a return. My husband and I live in a retirement village. We chose our operator very carefully. The fact the company has won Australasia Retirement Village of the Year for four years in a row was part of the decision.

We have freedom from home ownership, peace of mind, security and love, and enjoy our life. No rates, no household insurance and no household or garden maintenance. No fear of home invasion, sexual/physical assaults or financial scams here. Our home was a new build when we moved in and our energy bills are a tiny fraction of the ones we were paying. Your correspondent claims age disqualifies an individual from surgery. This is not the case. Pre-existing medical

conditions like advanced cancer, lung disease from smoking, advanced dementia, obesity, advanced heart disease, renal failure, liver damage from heavy drinking, can make the risk of surgery/anaesthetic unacceptable to the medical profession. There has to be a low risk and a clear benefit. The death rate remains at one per person. My 70-year-old husband waited six months on the public system and had a double hip replacement. The outcome was brilliant. Jennifer Sage, Katikati.

Elderly unvalued and disrespected J L Taylor's letter ‘Senior living: the horrible truth’ (The Weekend Sun, March 28) has voiced so clearly my feelings and awareness of the sad change in the way lives of senior citizens are circumscribed by politicians, local government and international companies. Sadly, the comment regarding our age disqualifying us from essential surgery and waiting lists is true. We are disposable and surplus to

requirements in a society focused on wealth, image and possessions. I’m saddened by the fact we seniors are unvalued and disrespected and, like J L Taylor abhors, abuse those employed to care for us. Its a national shame and it’s time we had politicians and leaders with the courage to stand up and challenge the greedy multi-nationals profiting. P Drysdale, Brookfield.

When blood’s worth bottling My husband suffered a health issue near the top of Mount Maunganui last Sunday. I’d like to give my heartfelt thanks to the people who came to our assistance. In particular a blonde young lady who spent a good deal of time ensuring we were okay and also directed St John’s to us. Two other young ladies also assisted us, by contacting St John’s and then waiting at the top until they arrived. Also thank you to two paramedics

who came to our assistance. St John medical staff were very professional and gave my husband a very thorough check-over. Two young men from the surf club drove the four-wheel vehicle up to get us. Also all the people out for the afternoon who offered their assistance. Thank you to them all your blood’s worth bottling. We are visitors to the area, currently staying at Fairway Lodge. J and B Simmonds, Bay of Plenty visitors.

The Weekend Sun welcomes letters and photographs. Preference will be given to letters that are short (200 words) and supplied with the writer’s full name and contact details. Photographs are best in high resolution and jpeg format. Email: letters@thesun.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

A tread-ful money-waster Why did councillors allow council staff to blindside them on a public relations disaster, like having Tauranga City Council parking wardens impose instant fines for bald tyres. Unbelievable, and the TCC staff involved need to be severely rapped over the knuckles and taken to task with any repetition resulting in DCM (Don’t Come Monday) action. Certainly car owners/motorists with bald tyres need heavy fines and cars ordered off the road, but that is something for traffic police to enforce – not people employed by TCC ratepayers at significant cost and in increasing

numbers. TCC’s transportation ‘nerve centre’ seems to have an agenda and a mind of its own – I assume this outfit was responsible for the recent expensive Elizabeth St upgrade and almost certainly for Girven Rd/Grenada St, Hawea St and Paterson St realignments barriers and islands just completed – an arrant waste of TCC ratepayers’ money to meet March 31 deadlines. Tauranga people – go take a drive around town and see what TCC ratepayers’ money is still wasted on. The above is just a fraction of it.

I understand the Tauranga City Council is now instructing city parking wardens to fine those whose cars they detect have worn tyres, broken windscreen wipers or mirrors etc. Why is the council taking on this role? If a car has a Warrant of Fitness it is deemed roadworthy. My car has a WOF however my mechanic did tell me I would need new tyres for my next warrant.

It doesn’t seem fair I could park in town and possibly get a fine for these tyres. If the council is concerned for road safety, and not using this TWIRL fining system as a money making scheme, why don’t the wardens just issue a warning to the driver? I agree with TCC councillor Catherine Stewart - I rarely venture into the CBD because it is not user friendly when it comes to parking. A Ace, Tauranga.

Dangerous tyre fines delayed EDITOR’S NOTE: Tauranga City Council announced Monday evening it was holding off plans for parking wardens to fine motorists for dangerous tyres, as part of the TWIRL campaign. A decision with what is happening

long term with the matter will be released soon. The parking wardens were only ever to take part in the tyre checks component of TWIRL, with police proceeding with the campaign by checking vehicles’ tyres, windscreen, wipers, mirrors, indicators, rust and lights.

We’ve got right to use roads Unbelievable - K Morland of Katikati - to condemn people who “ditch their cars” (‘Cyclists should pay too’, The Weekend Sun, March 28) in order to pursue a healthier, fitter lifestyle. What a crime - to keep one’s car off the road - in this day and age when pollution and traffic congestion are huge problems - and heaven forbid cyclists require a measure of safety. It must not have occurred to you most cyclists do drive a motor vehicle as well, and therefore like myself do pay full Road User Charges. Obviously there are times when it’s more practical to use the car, but as

much as possible we like to get out there for health, fitness and convenience sake, burn some energy or maybe just to see the sights. Everyone has the right to use roads, but what’s essential is mutual respect and consideration among all road users. Perhaps you should reduce your own carbon footprint and try it. I’ve just had the most marvellous trailriding holiday in the South Island, and recommend more people get off their butts and onto a bike - who knows, they might actually find they enjoy it. G MacBrayne, Brookfield.

Cyclists pay registrations on cars I’d like to respond to K Morland’s rant about ‘Cyclists should pay too’ (The Weekend Sun, March 28). I ride my bicycle every day to work. I chose this mode of transport as I get regular exercise, lots of fresh air and heaps of other reasons, like better health.

I choose a route reasonably clear of cars. I pay licensing fees (of more than $1300) for my ute, my motorcycle and my wife’s car, every year. So I figure I pay more than my fair share of expenses mentioned by K Morland. I also create virtually no wear and tear on the roads, since I do

150km per week by commuting by bicycle, while people like K Morland no doubt drive to work. I would imagine most cyclists also own cars and since they also would use them less than noncyclists, they, like me, should pay less for our registrations. R Rund, Te Puna.

Showing great versatility in knowledge I must commend you for publishing such an enthusiastic correspondent, such as Mr Ernest Izett. He’s shown his versatility by commenting on subjects as diverse as theology and cricket, parental discipline, dangerous dogs and horse racing.

Thanks for keeping us informed about the fines that the traffic wardens intend to issue drivers of cars with bald tyres. Not that I have bald tyres, but the fear of a fine will give me a reason not to risk parking in town. Cheers for that. C Meredith, Greerton. The Weekend Sun welcomes letters and photographs from readers. Preference will be given to letters that are short (200 words) and supplied with full name and contact details. Photos are best in high resolution, jpeg format. Email: letters@thesun.co.nz

R Paterson, Matapihi.

Tyres not TCC business

When will his cornucopia of knowledge empty? Thank you for allowing two verbose geriatrics like him and myself a few ‘last hurrahs’ before 'the final trump’. Bryan Johnson, Omokoroa.

Another reason not to park in the city

River Cruising Information Evening Tuesday 15 April

5.30pm $100 Duty Free voucher per APT booking^ You are invited to our fabulous information evening featuring APT River Cruises. Find out more about cruising in Europe, Vietnam & China. Where: United Travel at the Mount RSVP by 11 April, to secure your place

United Travel at the Mount 325 Maunganui Rd (07) 575 3068 ^ Terms & Conditions: $100 Duty Free voucher is one per APT River Cruise booking. Not redeemable, non-transferrable and cannot be exchanged

for cash. Ask in store for further conditions.

34 Do you have an issue or concern you think is worth raising? The Weekend Sun welcomes letters and photographs. You are also welcome to offer your take or opinion on already published letters. Preference will be given to letters that are short (200 words) and supplied with the writer’s full name and contact details. Photographs are best in high resolution and jpeg format.

The Weekend Sun

We have to save mobile library

Email: letters@thesun.co.nz

as their problem, when it’s every citizens. Why this reluctance? Is it failure to instruct staff to initiate a shared approach to challenges; wanting to keep power and control; thinking that traditionally it’s not the thing to do; failing to recognise that for citizens it’s our city and not just their’s; or the result of failings existing in the general process of developing adults?

It’s interesting that we have examples of people we elect to lead our Tauranga City Council seemingly hesitant to call on fellow citizens of the city for assistance. One is their Draft Annual Plan proposal to cease the library bus service to six schools, five rest homes and 34 public stops around the city for a saving of $86,000 part of the city’s debt being treated

Whatever, spontaneous responses of citizens in times of emergency (Rena recovery and student army in Christchurch) show is there’s an inherent desire existing in humans to help others. Surely within Tauranga there’s enough caring citizens prepared to donate a small amount to ensure the library bus service continues - if asked. I hope this happens. H Hughes, Mount Maunganui.

City’s book bus must remain Friends of the Tauranga City Libraries Inc’s campaign on Tauranga City Council Draft Annual Plan covers five concepts. The Mobile Library must remain as the value of this service to the community outweighs any cost savings. No additional cost to ratepayers. The Housebound service must be restarted at a cost of $40,000 per year to ratepayers. The new Greerton Library must have its additional running costs funded. Through the submissions we will show this to be a $60,000 per year cost to ratepayers.

The community stated, in 2010, the book stocks are to be 2.6 per capita not 2.4. Therefore no further cuts. No cost to ratepayers. The large sum of money to be deleted from the book stock budget is due to the city having a lower population, as shown by the 2013 Census. We believe it should be deducted but over a three-year period, enabling the collection to remain up-to-date and appropriate. This is a total of $100,000 per year from ratepayers, not $1 million. Kate Clark, Friends of Tauranga City Libraries.

Racing community has strict whip rules In response to E Izett’s letter ‘Ban horse race whips’ (The Weekend Sun, March 28). His comments are obviously by someone who knows absolutely nothing about thoroughbred and standardbred racing. The New Zealand Racing Authority has strict guidelines on whip use. If it is deemed to be excessive, the jockey can be fined, suspended, or both.

On the other hand, if a jockey does not ride their mount out to its full potential - ie use of whip if needed, he or she can face the same disciplinary action. Jockeys, trainers and owners have an absolute love for these animals. If they were to be harmed in any way it would be totally unthinkable . If the SPCA thought whip use was in anyway harmful they

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I’m responding to any negative responses that Tauranga City councillor Steve Morris is getting in making the most of an opportunity in standing for central government. Specifically, comments being made that councillor Morris has used Tauranga City Council as a stepping stone to greater things - and how this seems somehow to be shameful. While councillor Morris has indicated he has not done this, my response is: so what if he has? When an unforeseen opportunity presents itself Carpe Diem - seize the day. So good on you Steve Morris - you go for it. Tony Ryall did a good job, you’ve got substantial boots to fill, however anyone who stands for politics must have testosterone - so I’ll be interested to see what your campaign strategy and policies will be. S Trim, Papamoa Beach.

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would have stepped in decades ago. As far as short stirrups go, it places the jockeys weight more to the horse’s front legs, which gives it more comfort and balance when racing. Please Mr Izett, my advice to you is do your research before you comment on something you know little about. T Wilson, Katikati.

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Check out more letters, blogs and news stories on local issues and events on the Bay’s best online news website: sunlive.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

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

Friday 4 April

Lions Lunch Join with members of Mount Lions Club for a community lunch in Phoenix carpark from 12-2pm. Bring your own lunch or enjoy a free sausage from the BBQ.

Saturday 5 April

2nd Hand Shoe Sale Only at Hikoi Mt

Maunganui, 195a Maunganui Rd. Doors open 9am. Buy quality 2nd hnd shoes for a donation of your shoes. All proceeds to Waipuna Hospice. 574 3492 27th Easter Book Sale Rotary Club of Tauranga April 19-21 at 6 Triton Ave, Mt Maunganui (old Mount Action Centre). Deliver your unwanted books, magazines, records, CD’s, videos, DVDs & jigsaw puzzles to Caltex Welcome Bay, Bayfair, Greerton, 14th Ave. Z (Shell) Omokoroa, Bethlehem, Hewletts Rd. Ross 544 0817 or ross.prestidge@ihug.co.nz 60s Up Social Group Promoting enjoyment of life for the older person. First Sat of month at Papamoa Sports & Recreation Centre, Parton Rd, Papamoa from 12pm. $2pp. Guest speaker &/or activity arranged each meeting. Bring small plate of finger food for shared lunch. www.60supmovement.org.nz or Barbara 542 1185 Alcoholics Anonymous Women’s meeting at Mt Maunganui Primary School, Orkney Rd 10-11am. Children welcome. 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. Bay Association Sea Kayakers Mayor Island Trip. Bevan 576 8885 Being - A Self Empowerment Workshop At Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Mt Maunganui 11am - 4pm. Meditation 11am, positive thinking 12pm, homeopathy 1pm, vegetarian cooking 2pm. Come for 1 talk or the whole day. Free. Register: discoverbeing@gmail.com www.bkwsu.org Come Dance the Night Away Sequence & old time dancing Greerton Hll 7.3011pm. Great music & supper. $5 entry. Run by Tauranga Social Dance. Garry 543 0051

Exhibition of Contemporary Maori Art At Multicultural Festival in the Old

School Hall & Chapel, Historic Village.

Ford Trophy Final - Cricket Bay

Oval, Blake Park, Mt Maunganui Northern Knights vs TBC. Healing Expo April 12 at Welcome Bay Community Centre 1-4pm. Multicultural healing group. Fundraiser, $10 entry includes healing session. Bernie 544 5557 Juliet Te Rangipiktia Remeka Te Whanau Whetu Star Family at Chapel, Historic Village.

Lite Supper with Light Minds Evening Maitland St Hall, Maitland St. Doors open 7pm txt/ph Linda 021 0223 1388

News, reviews and opinionated raving on the music scene.

Melanoma Friends Group Meeting Da Vinci Clinic, 727 Cameron Rd, Tauranga 2pm. Speaker: Ben Tallon. Messianic Weekly Meetings The Way meet in the Kingfisher Room, Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Mt Maunganui 10am. 570 1438 National Longboard Competition

April 5 & 6 at Papamoa Domain. Longboard surfers & stand up paddleboarders from throughout NZ competing. Opus Orchestra April 12 Graham Young Youth Theatre 7.30pm. A sizzling, expressive performance of Haydn, Mozart, Berlioz, Ravel. Tickets at www.opusorchestra.org.nz Baycourt office/door sales. $40 – 15/children free. Pahoia School Food Fest At Pahoia School 4pm. Culinary treats, music & children’s entertainment.

Tauranga’s Worldwide Peaceful Protest Against child abuse. Meet at

Tauranga Police Station, Monmouth St 12pm. The Little Big Market Cnr Matai St & Maunganui Rd 9am – 2pm. www.thelittlebigmarkets.co.nz 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 Teddy Bears Picnic Tour Joint fundraiser Avon Breast Cancer crusade & Tamariki Ora. Come along & enjoy the fun, bouncy castle, games, stories, facepainting & more. April 5 at Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. April 6 at Memorial Park, Tauranga. Both 10am - 2pm.

15th Tauranga Multicultural Festival

Postponement date. At Historic Village on 17th Ave West, Tauranga 10am – 4.30pm. Watch ethnic dances, listen to many music genres & try authentic ethnic food from a variety of ethnic food stalls. Activities for children. Adults $6, door sales only. 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 Welcome Bay Markets First Sat of month at Welcome Bay Hall car park 9am - 12pm. Stalls $5. 544 9774

Sunday 6 April

Bay Bible Fellowship Welcome Bay

Primary School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Rd 10am start. Lord’s day, Praise & worship. Tom Griffiths preaching from 1 John 3:1-24 “Who’s child are you?” www. baybiblefellowship.co.nz Bethlehem Lions Market 1st & 3rd Sun of month at Bethlehem Town Centre 8am - 12pm. Bible Seminars Sundays at Greerton Senior Citizen’s Hall, Maitland St 1.45pm. Title: God’s Kingdom - what

DVD MOVIES Reviews of DVDs, old and new, as well as other bits and bobs. does the Bible say? Interactive, Q&A. Refreshments provided. Vic 543 0504 Clothing Sale Quality pre-loved clothes at Tauranga Waldorf School, R364 Welcome Bay Road 10am 3pm. Lots of well known labels & lots of items new or nearly new. All items are $5. School fundraiser. Croquet Tauranga Domain Sun, Tues, Fri 12.45pm. Peter 571 0633 Mountain Bike Tauranga Inc XC Eliminator event. Open to juniors & seniors. Races at Summerhill mountain bike tracks 2-6pm. Entry $10 club members, $15 non members. www.mtbtauranga.co.nz

Mount Mainstreet Farmers Market

Every Sun in Phoenix car park 9am - 1pm. Fresh fruit & veges, breads, cheese, oils, plants & more. All home grown & home made. 575 9911 mountmaunganui.org.nz Prestige Singles 50+ Coffee afternoon 2.30pm. Mix & mingle with other likeminded individuals. Email: mixandmingle@xtra.co.nz or 027 439 3267 Produce Share Gathering April 13 at The Arty House, 372 Wairoa Rd, Te Puna 10am - 12pm. Bring along anything for the share table - seeds, seedlings, produce, plants & a plate to share for morning tea. Carina 021 064 9814 www.ooooby.ning.com/group/tauranga Radio Controlled Model Yachts Meet Sun 1.30pm & Thurs 5.30pm at pond behind 24 Montego Drive, Papamoa to race electron & similar 3ft long yachts. Graham 572 5419 Reiki Development Day April 13 at Olive Tree Cottage, Pyes Pa 10am 4.30pm. Workshops to suit everyone. Introducing, experiencing & sharing Reiki until 2pm. From 2pm Reiki 2 Revision. Lynn 022 0918 466 or karen@innerwise.co.nz Tauranga Historical Soc Meet in Brain Watkins Hall 2pm. Secrets from the Grumpy Mole presented by archeologist Brigid Gallagher, formerly of the Time Team. Visitors welcome. 574 4965

Tauranga Rainbow Social Network

For gay, bi, lesbian, trans & intersex. Meet 2nd Sun of month 3pm. Kaye 021 239 7142 or 07 218 1411 Tauranga Rainbow Youth For gay, bi, lesbian, trans & intersex 25 yrs & under. Kaye 021 239 7142 or 07 218 1411

Tauranga Spiritual Society

Senior Citizen’s Hall, 14 Norris St. Doors open 6.30pm for 7pm. Speaker: Carl Petersen, healer. $3 members, $5 non. 022 067 0467

Tauranga Theatre Organ Society Meet at Baycourt Theatre 1.30pm. Hear & play the mighty wurlitzer. 533 4339

Tauriko School PTA Car Boot Sale

April 13 at Tauriko School back field 10am - 1pm. Cake, coffee & bbq available. $10 per site. PTA Fundraiser. To book email: foodbydesign@ slingshot.co.nz

GUIDE Stories, snippets, strangeness, and general entertainment.

Te Puke Spiritual Discussion Group 1st, 3rd & 5th Sun of month at Hair Linez Hair Salon, old railway station, Jellicoe St 10.30-11.30am. Meeting of spiritual minds, learning & growing from each other. Door entry $3. Elaine 573 5361

Monday 7 April

Achieve Toastmasters Feeling anxious about that forthcoming presentation. Learn to speak with confidence. 1st, 3rd Mon at St Stephens Hall, Otumoetai 7.30pm. Fraser 544 4579 Badminton Tauranga Badminton Club every Mon & Weds at Bethlehem College Events Centre 7.30pm. All players welcome. Sue 021 194 4335 or www.taurangabadmintonclub.co.nz Bethlehem Bowls Every Mon at 7.15pm. First 3 nights free. Wendy 578 2585 BOP Tree Society Inc AGM At McLarens Falls Park, Upper Hostel 1.30pm. Election of officers & general business. 543 2152 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Martial art which teaches self defence techniques & boost self-confidence. Classes Mon, Weds, Thurs 7-9pm & Sat 10am-12pm. Kids classes Tues & Thurs 4.30-5.20pm. At 22/3 Macdonald St, Mt Maunganui. 021 264 3211 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 6-11pm Noel 579 5412 Citizens Advice Bureau Free, confidential info & advice about anything call in Mon - Fri at 38 Hamilton St, Tauranga 9am - 5pm or freephone 0800 367 222 or 578 1592. JP service every 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. No appointment necessary. Diabetes Tauranga Offering education, support & advocacy for anyone living with diabetes. 571 3422 or info@diabeteshelp.org.nz Fire Brigade Bowling Club Club night at Greerton Hall, Cameron Rd 7.30pm. Complete Singles. Sharon 543 3929 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 Friends of the Libraries Monthly meeting, Tauranga Library 7.30pm. Speaker: Isobel Weenick – on the countries she has visited & the books she has read which are linked to her travels. Supper provided. Harmony a Plenty Barbershop Chorus Every Mon at Bethlehem

Community Church, Moffat Rd 7pm. New members welcome. 572 3345 or www.harmonyaplenty.co.nz

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

Hello Monday Healthy happy hour. Free healthy meal. Free wellness & weight management info. Svetlana 027 616 2124 Junction Mental Health Peer support & advocacy. Coffee & chat 10am – 12pm. 579 9890 Learn to Dance Te Puke

Sequence dance lessons for beginners & improvers. More male dancers required. New program for April. $3pp. Gordon 572 0060 Mandarin Learning For adults only. Non-profit but contribution of $80 for 8 sessions to cover cost of rentals. Ian 578 9668 Meditation Free classes Mon 10am & Weds 7.30pm. Find peace, spiritual awareness & the meaning of your life. David 576 9764 Mount RSA Indoor Bowls Mon & Thurs. Names in by 6.45pm. New members welcome. Joy 574 8003 NZ First Tauranga April Meeting St Peters Church Lounge, Victoria Rd, Mount 10am. Speaker: Andrew Williams, NZ First MP. Otumoetai Indoor Bowls Box Drawn Rinks (Ken Laurie Trophy) Matua Primary School Hall, Clivedene St 7.15pm. New members welcome. Karen 576 0443 Parkinsons Society Exercise class weekly Tauranga, Te Puke & Whakatane. Red Tulip support meetings monthly Tauranga, Katikati & Whakatane. www. parkinsons.org.nz or Kylie 07 218 0620 Recycled Teenagers Gentle exercise for 50’s forwards, & injury or illness rehabilitation. Mon & Weds, 14 Norris St, Tauranga Senior Citizens Club, behind Pak n Save. Tues at St Mary’s Church Hall, Girven Rd. All 9 - 10.30am. Classes taken by qualified instructor. First class free. Jennifer 571 1411 Taekwon Do The Silla Club train Mon & Thurs at Te Puna School Hall. All ages welcome. Gwyn 0274 587 871 Taoist Tai Chi Pioneer Room, Community Hall, Te Puke 9.30-11am. 573 5560 or 027 575 3272 Tauranga Bridge Club Sessions Mon, Weds, Thurs 7.30pm. Tues & Fri 1pm. Social bridge Thurs 1pm. 252 Ngatai Rd. 576 5022 Tauranga Civic Choir New members welcome to join & rehearse every Mon 7.30-9.30pm. 574 6366 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 Rock n Roll Club Monday club nights 8-9.30pm. Lessons 7-8pm. Tauranga RSA Cameron Rd. Website: Taurangarocknrollclub.org Colleen 544 4676

Continued...

The Weekend Sun

...Continued Tauranga RSA Indoor Bowls Mon report

12.45pm for 1pm start. Weds 3.45 for 4pm start. Leanne 570 0154

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club

Cards, 500 & Bridge Mon & Thurs. Indoor Bowls Tues, Weds & Sat at 14 Norris St, behind Pak n Save 1-4pm. Register by 12.45pm. $2 includes afternoon tea. Tauranga Senior Citizens Club Indoor Bowls Every Mon at St Columba Church Hall, 502 Otumoetai Rd 1-4pm. Names in by 12.45pm. $3 entry includes afternoon tea. New members welcome. 571 6663 Tauranga UFO & Paranormal Soc Meet in hall behind Historic House cnr Cameron Rd & Elizabeth St 7.30pm. Door $3 includes light supper. Visitors welcome. Ian 578 5373 Te Puna Indoor Bowls Every Mon at Te Puna Hall 7.15pm. Norma 552 5563 The Writing Project For people working on a piece of writing or wanting to. 021 239 7142 or 07 218 1411

Toughlove Parent Support Group

Every Mon at Totara House, 1428 Cameron Rd, Greerton 7-9pm. No need to register. 543 3194 YMCA - ALFS (Active lifestyle for seniors). Smooth Movers class Mon 9-10am & 10.1511.15am at Matua Community Hall, Levers Rd. Also 9-9.55am & 10-10.55am at Arataki Hall, Zambuk Way (off Grenada St). Tues 9.15-10.15am & 10.30-11.30am at Papamoa Community Centre, Gravatt Rd. Weds 9.15-10.15am Welcome Bay Hall, Welcome Bay Rd. First class free. Thurs 9-10am at Otumoetai Action Centre, Windsor Rd. Also 10.30-11.30am at Bethlehem Hall, Bethlehem Rd. Fri 9.15-10.15am at Papamoa Community Centre, Gravatt Rd. Also Fri at Papamoa Library 10.20am. 578 9272

Tuesday 8 April

16 Sqn Air Training Corps (ATC) Every Tues (during school term), Tauranga Army Hall 6.30-9pm. Lynn 027 291 6150 or email: atc16sqntauranga@yahoo.co.nz

2014 Face2Face Coffee Group

36d McDonald St, Mt Maunganui, opp Nosh Cafe 10am - 12pm. $2 for refreshments, biscuits provided. Plus cheap pre-loved clothing available. All welcome. 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 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. Lorraine 579 3229 Bayfair Petanque Club Every Tues & Thurs at Bayfair Reserve, Russley Drive 1pm. Tuition & boules available for learners & visitors. Margaret 572 3173 Bethlehem Pottery Club Tues & Thurs at 13 Bethlehem Rd 10am - 3pm. Call in for info or ph Jane 552 0046

Free ESOL Christian Conversation Classes For all levels of English every Tues during school term at Holy Trinity Church cnr 4th Ave & Devonport Rd 7.30-9.15pm. Janice 576 7839

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

Mount Maunganui Scottish Soc

AGM at 57 Wairoa Rd 6pm. Following the AGM, dessert & coffee will be served. Elizabeth 544 5633 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. Maxene 575 0162

Orange City Square & Round Dance Club

Tues morning class 10am - 12pm. Weds plus,

Thurs club night & new dancers. Frontiersmen’s Hall 7.30pm. 543 1063 Otumoetai Toastmasters Leadership skills, speaking skills. At Lyceum Club rooms, 68 1st Ave 7.15-9.30pm. Allan 544 5989 Sequence Dancing Tauranga Social & Leisure Club. St John’s Anglican Church Hall, 94 Bureta Rd, Otumoetai 7-9pm. Second Tues of month 3-5.30pm. Visitors welcome. John 578 9716

South City Indoor Bowls Club

Championship Singles (McKinley Cup) – markers please. At Greerton Hall, Tauranga 7pm. Mary 541 0687

Tauranga Acoustic Music Club

McSwiggan’s Irish Pub, 158 Cambridge Rd 7.30pm. Friendly jam sessions. Sing, play or just listen. Paul 579 2346 or www.tamc.org.nz Tauranga BMX Club Club nights every Tues. Registration 5.15-5.50pm. Racing starts 6pm at Tauranga MTB & BMX Park, 280 Cambridge Rd, Tauranga. $2 per club member. First 3 nights free to new riders.

Tauranga Morning Badminton Club

Meet every Tues & Thurs at QEII Youth Centre, Memorial Park, Tauranga 9-11.30am. New players & visitors welcome. Heather 574 0976 Tauranga Toastmasters Tga Lyceum Club 7.15-9.30pm. Confidence building, speaking skills, leadership skills. Alan 544 5989 Treasure Box Songs & stories for under 5’s every Tues at Changepoint, 131 Poike Rd, Ohauiti 9.30am. Morning tea provided. 544 2713

Wednesday 9 April

Age Concern Walking Group Meet

outside Mt Maunganui Hot Pools 10am. 578 2631 An Evening with Tom Scott Wesley Centre, 100 13th Ave, 7pm. Multimedia presentation covering “politicians I have known”; Edmund Hilary in Nepal; Inequality in NZ. Auction of Tom Scott’s original, signed cartoons. Entry; gold coin donation. Organised by “Closing the Gap, Tauranga.” Badminton Mt Maunganui Club night Weds at Mount Sports Centre, Maunganui Rd 7-9pm. All past & new players welcome. Janice 575 2438 or 027 201 0529

Bay EXTRAudiology Show

A medley of songs & surprises from two of NZ’s best loved entertainers - Helen Medlyn & Grant Bridger. After the show, a light lunch is served & the opportunity to meet the entertainers. Held at Baycourt X Space 11am. 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

Baywide Community Law Service

Drop in clinic every Weds at 63 Willow St 5-6.30pm. No appointment necessary. Free legal assistance. 571 6812. Every Tues morning at Te Puke Clinic. For appointment 573 5614. Every Thurs morning at Katikati Clinic. For appointment 549 0399 Bromeliad Club Meeting Yacht Club Sulphur Pt 12.30-2.30pm. Speaker:

Gordon Narin - “Bees”. Plant of the month: Best red bromeliad. Good sales table. Visitors welcome. Lynley 576 7711 Civil Defence Welfare Volunteers Gas leak scenario at Omokoroa Community Church from 6pm. Volunteers will put into practice welfare training, public invited to attend.

Cribbage Club Tauranga RSA Greerton New members wanted for this long established club, all ages. Every Weds 1-3.30pm. Entrance $3. Robert 579 1342

Fernlands Spa Water Exercise Class

Weds 10.45-11.45am. Held rain or shine, but not during school holidays. New participants planning to attend, ph Jennifer 571 1411. Gate Pa Indoor Bowls Greerton Lotto Shop Open Tournament (9 Bowl Triples) at Greerton Hall 7.30pm. Names in book. Plate for supper please. Kevin 543 4044 Global Hearts Exercise Group Weds 2-3pm & Fri 11am - 12pm. Provides group activities combined with health education that encourages members to live a healthy & active lifestyle. Proudly supported by NZ Heart Foundation. Mark 0274 444 945

Greerton Gold Leisure Marching Team Ladies 50+ invited to

join Weds at Morland Fox Park 8-9.30am. No experience required. Marion 578 1108 Healing Rooms Prayer for your healing. Come anytime between 1-3pm. Faye 579 2636 ME/CFS Support BOP Meet at Tauranga Office, 14b Hocking St, Mt Maunganui 1pm. Speaker: David Walpole - selenium & iodine. Tina 281 1480 Movie Night Fund-raiser Hosted by Diabetes help Tauranga Youth, designed to raise funds for local children & youth with type 1 & type 2 diabetes. Rialto Tauranga, Devonport Rd. 7.45pm nibbles, 8.15pm movie – Noah. Cost $25. Spot prizes during the evening. For tickets, Debbie 571 3422

Otumoetai Care & Craft Group

Every Weds during school term at St Columba Church, Cherrywood 9am 12.30pm. Dawn 576 7783 Scottish Country Dancing Weds at Senior Citizens Hall, Maunganui Rd Beginners class 6pm, regular class 7.30pm. Fri at Papamoa Primary School Hall, Dickson Rd 7.30pm. 573 5055 Table Tennis Tauranga Weds 1-3pm & 7-9pm, Fri 7-9pm at Memorial Hall, QEYC. www.sportsground.co.nz/tabletennistauranga or Bill 578 1662 Tauranga Opera Forum The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s wonderful farce at Tauranga Club 5.45pm. Complimentary wine, finger foods, lucky ticket draw & opera screen. Tickets from Creative Tauranga. 928 5270 or 577 0583 Te Puke Meditation & Development Group 2nd Weds of month at Constables Gallery, Commerce Lane 7.15pm. $5 entry. Te Puke Toy Library 248 Jellicoe St, opp Atuaroa Ave, Te Puke Weds to Sat 9.30am - 12pm. 021 130 6476

Toastmasters - City Early Start

Armazem Saturday 5 – B-Side Band 10pm – 1am. Crown and Badger Friday 4 – PO3. Saturday 5 – Piston Broke. Sunday 6 – Josh Pow. McSwiggans Irish Pub Friday 4 – British singer/songwriter Ken Nicol (Former member of Steeleye Span) 7.30pm. Tickets $15 at the door. Tuesday 8 – Tauranga Acoustic Music Club jam night 7.30-9.30pm. Mount RSA Friday 4 – Helen Riley 7.30pm. Saturday 5 – Big John (Brown) 7.30pm. Sunday 6 – Tauranga Big Band 4.30pm. The Matua Sunday 6 – Classic jazz with Trevor Braunias Trio 3-6pm. Wednesday 9 – A Taste of Country Night 7.30-10pm.

Improve communication, leadership & teamwork skills. Every Weds at Classic Flyers Avgas Cafe 6.45-8.15am. Toastmasters if the answer for building confidence & leadership skills. To find a club near you email: LaniDTM@kol. co.nz or 571 1545. http://cityearlystart. toastmastersclubs.org

Thursday 10 April

Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Salvation Army, Eversham Rd, Bayfair 7.30-8.30pm.

Army Cadets (WBOP Cadet Unit)

Every Thurs at Tauranga Army Hall 6-9.30pm. Ages 13-17 youth development with a military flavour. Email: admin@wbopcu.org.nz Club 55 Tenpin New members welcome to join a fun seniors tenpin bowling league. Meet Thurs at 13th Ave Tenpin 10.30am. Jenny 543 0539 “What’s On” is a FREE service for non-proﬁt clubs & organisations.

Community Bible Study International

At 14th Ave Gospel Centre 10am - 12pm for a non denominational in depth 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 French Connection For lovers of all things French. Meet like-minded people over a relaxed drink. Meet every second Thurs at Brooklyn Eatery, the Strand 4.30-6.30pm. Andrea: agohns@yahoo.co.nz Junction Mental Health Peer support & advocacy. Addiction support group 1-2pm. 579 9890 Keynote 4 Part Harmony Women’s Chorus Meet every Thurs at Wesley Church Hall, 13th Ave Tauranga 6.45pm. Sing for fun & health. Nora 544 2714 Mainly Music Every Thurs at St Enoch’s Church, 16th Ave 9.30am. $3 per family. New members welcome. 578 3040 Mount Art Group Every Thurs at St Peter’s Church Hall, 11 Victoria Rd, Mt Maunganui 9am - 1pm. Visitors welcome. Merilynn 575 6777 Mt Maunganui Creative Fibre Meet every Thurs at Arataki Community Centre 9am - 1pm. Share & learn spinning, weaving, crochet, knitting, felting & other creative crafts. Visitors & new members welcome. Jan 574 1265 Tauranga Mixed Probus Club Meet monthly at Carmel Country Estate Social Centre, Hollister Lane 10am. Guest speaker, visitors welcome. Maureen 544 5013 Tauranga Model Railway Club Meet every Thurs evening. Ed 543 1108 Tauranga Storytellers’ Group Meet last Thurs of month. Learn how to develop your storytelling skills. Claire 577 7220 Toastmasters - Kickstart Club Have fun while learning to speak confidently. Breakfast meeting at Alimento Cafe, 1st Ave, Tauranga 7-8.15am. Guests welcome. Helen 571 6181

Friday 11 April

Alcoholics Anonymous Open meeting

every Fri at Hamner Clinic, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton (behind Tyremaster) 7.30pm. 0800 229 6757 for more meetings or assistance. Antiques and Collectables Fair April 11, 12 & 13 at Bethlehem Town Centre, 19 Bethlehem Road. Fri & Sat 10am – 5pm. Sun 10am – 4pm. Admission $3. Organised by Otumoetai Rotary Club. All proceeds collected will go to Homes of Hope. BOP Orchid Show April 11 & 12 at Te Puke War Memorial Hall 10am - 4pm. A variety of plants, pot sales, speciality stalls, raffles & art. Entry $3, children enter for free. Chess Tauranga Every Fri at Tauranga RSA, Greerton 6pm onwards for the whole family. Noel 579 5412 http:// www.westernbopchess.weebly.com/ Documentary Nights Every 2nd Fri 7pm. Many interesting & thought provoking subjects covered. Kim 576 9427 or 027 285 9611

Free Immigration Assessment

By Licenced Immigration Adviser. Tauranga Multicultural Ethnic Council, Historic Village, 17th Ave. For appointment ph Iryna Stewart 543 9125 Free Immigration Clinic Every Fri - legal advice & information on immigration issues. For appointment, Baywide Community Law 571 6812

Friday Friends 10 Pin Bowling League Join our friendly league playing

every Fri at 13th Ave 10 Pin 1pm (3 games). We play in pairs. New members welcome. Barry/Loris 571 5492 Scrap/Card Retreat Otumoetai April 11-12. $20. Ph Deborah 0274 303 781 or deborah@cropnshop.co.nz

Email julie@thesun.co.nz or Fax 571 1116 or post to PO Box 240, Tauranga.

Deadline 3pm Tuesdays. Contributions should be less than 20 words.

The Weekend Sun M U S I C

P L U S

By Winston Watusi

Tauranga gigs happening all over the show It's all on next week – gigs, gigs, gigs. I've got four of them here, see what pops your musical cork... First up, on Thursday (April 10) there's another show at the Art Gallery, which is doing a fine line in interesting acts and, if you haven't yet been to a gig there, is a great spot for a bit of music. Thursday sees the return of fantastic high-flying violinist Fiona Pears. For some years now Fiona has been dividing her time between London and New Zealand. She has recorded a series of albums ranging from full orchestra outings (2008's Fire and Light, recorded with the Prague Philharmonic) to her most recent, the selfexplanatory Swing Driven Thing. It's fitting that she return with some good old swing as the first many people heard of her in Tauranga was during her years playing with Hot Club Sandwich whom she left to start her international career.

Sean Bodley - Balance

Sean’s new album was officially released on-line earlier this week. It’s on iTunes and Amazon, and the first two singles ‘Catalonia’ and ‘One In The Chamber’ are out there. I’ve had it on the stereo for a couple of weeks now and it’s a simply astounding piece of work. Of course that comes with a slight proviso. You do need to like the electric guitars and not be too hung up on singing. Balance is an instrumental rock guitar outing

To support the new album she will be accompanied by her husband Ian Tilley on piano and keyboard, and Christchurch guitar duo, La Petite Manouche ('The little gypsy'). Together they promise bluesy duets interspersed with Celtic folk, jazz, Jewish and classical compositions, many nodding to Gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt. Doors open at 7pm, the show starts at 7.30pm and is likely to be amazing. I think there are still tickets left ($25, or $20 for students/ friends of the gallery): call 578-5933. Next day (Friday, April 11) there's an album launch from Nine Mile Stone's Derek Toner. Derek's debut solo album is called The Importance of YAR and is being released under the moniker 'Tuner'. It's happening at Drivers Bar on 11 Avenue on which you can find the dedication ‘Thankyou just isn’t enough’ to ‘Joe, Steve and John’. They are Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Dream Theatre’s John Petrucci and that gives a pretty fair idea of the album’s direction. But an instrumental album is a tricky beast and Sean beautifully balances melody and structure with astonishing guitar chops – some tracks wild shredding, some intense harmony workouts, all varied and accessible and remarkably individual after a few

along with a full band that includes Brian Franks (bass), Tim Julian (keyboards), James Bos (drums), and Lewis Martin (sax). Special guests will help with the vocals. Things kick off at 8pm with tickets limited to 100 and costing $15. The new album will be available on the night and I'll have a review not long afterwards. Also that night is the Katikati Folk Club Twentieth Anniversary Concert at Katikati's Balcony Café. It's a free event, a chance to hear some great music and to reminisce after so many years

as the club continues to go from strength to strength. The concert starts at 7.30pm, but you can arrive from 5.30pm onwards to get a good seat. More details on the website: www.katikatifolkclub.co.nz. Then on Sunday (13 April) there's jazz both old and new at The Entertainers Club. They'll be gathering at the Citz Club on 13 Ave, 5pm. The old jazz is a little Dixie courtesy of Bay Dixie, while the more modern incarnation comes from the Alan Harbourne Quartet featuring both Alan on piano and his wife Ione Harbourne (who a few decades back started Sydney's first all-woman jazz band) on keyboards. Tickets are $10 on the door.

Fiona Pears performs on Thursday. listens. As someone who’s dabbled with guitar for years I still frequently had no idea of exactly how Sean was doing what he’s doing: it’s jaw-dropping stuff. That Sean was also responsible for all bass, drum programming and keyboards is even more impressive. In fact the only music not played by him is the virtuoso flourish of acoustic guitar on the opening track, ably supplied by Mark Wright. All guitarists should check this out – start at www. facebook.com/seanbodleymusic

Celebration of cultures set to be ‘best yet’ Bay of Plenty residents are invited to join in on a celebration of cultures at this weekend’s Multicultural Festival – an event organisers are describing as the “best yet”.

A Scottish piper will be leading the Parade of Nations at midday. Photo by Bill Hodges.

By Zoe Hunter

Postponed from its original date in March due to former Tropical Cyclone Lusi, Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council’s 15th annual festival is at Historical Village this Saturday from 10am. Council president Ewa Fenn says the festival is an opportunity for Bay of Plenty residents and migrants to get to know each other and to celebrate together with a day of family fun. The festival will feature 16 different ethnic groups performing 23 performances, including singing, dancing, instrumental and opera pieces. Other musical acts include a performance on stage from the New Zealand Youth Steel-

pan Band, including workshops inside the Village Hall. Tauranga band 6TB will be playing reggae and a Scottish piper will be leading the Parade of Nations at midday. And don’t forget about the variety of ethnic food stalls, which Ewa says are always a major drawcard for the festival. New to the festival, Tauranga Moana Weavers and Carvers group exhibition will be presenting Maori weaving art in the chapel, and carving and painting in the school house. This large-scale festival would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors, says Ewa, who would like to thank TECT for its substantial financial contribution. Plus, ANZ is giving away a $1000 spot prize for one lucky winner. With traffic always being a major concern at large-scale events, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council are contributing free bus rides for festival-goers.

@ THE HISTORIC VILLAGE, 17TH AVE 10AM - 4 PM, ADULTS $6, UNDER 12 FREE EVERYBODY WELCOME!

Across 6. Governor General 1957-1962 (4,6) 8. Uncertain (4) 9. Friend (4) 10. Skinflint (5) 11. Sharp (4) 12. Notable (9) 16. Impoverished (9) 20. Slant (4) 22. Penny-pincher (5) 23. Native timber (4) 24. Musical instrument (4) 25. Tart (10) Down 1. Yellow (Maori) (6) 2. Determined (7) 3. Perform (6) 4. Drink (inf) (6)

No. 1365

5. Sneer (5) 7. Propose (5) 13. Donkey (3) 14. Small town (SI) (7) 15. Less (5) 17. Christian festival (6) 18. Bird (6) 19. River (SI) (6) 21. Thump (5) P A I H I A Y E C L A I R

E F N E M B A X H R S M O

T R A M P C D E A D P A N

E O P C A A M D N M E L G

R O T O I T I E C A R G O

M O C K R S T I E D S E W

C A L F G G G G G M E S H

I M U L S T A E M S N A A

N I G H T I B E A T N I K

T R G V A J O A T I I E A

Solution 1364

Y E A R N E D K U L T R A

R N G P C E E L K L R V T

E L E V E N O K U M E R A

38 D V D

M O V I E S

CARRIE

The Weekend Sun

With Winston Watusi

Starring: Chloe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Gabriella Wilde - Dir: Kimberly Peirce and religious subtext, the quirky cast (an early outing for John Travolta and turns from Amy Irving and Nancy Allen) or the “final shock” ending that was copied by every horror film for the next two decades. Even Julianne Moore – excellent as always – can do little to live up to Piper Laurie’s gloriously deranged take on Carrie’s mother. But the biggest problem is more central. I think Chloe Grace Moretz is fantastic, but it’s hard not to notice that she’s totally miscast here. The original’s Sissy Spacek was heartbreakingly vulnerable and subtly odd. Moretz is...well she’s Hit Girl for a start and it’s just impossible not to think that she could just beat the crap out of anyone here annoying her.

Even after nearly every horror film from the seventies has been remade – generally in mediocre fashion – the bar for Carrie is a bit higher, in part due to the (relatively) superior source material and in part because director Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry) is at the helm, suggesting a serious and different treatment from Brian De Palma’s luridly impressive original. And, while undoubtedly enjoyable, what’s surprising then is that this remake does so little to make the film anything other than a competent retread. The only new thing brought to the party is that kids now have cellphones, not exactly a ground-breaking reveal. Other than that this never matches the original’s many strengths, be it De Palma’s superb choreography of mayhem, the blood

Fantastic Not bad at all Dreadful

Damn fine Dubious

Thanks to Video Ezy Brookfield for the DVDs

Since the success of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh books have proved tricky to realise on the big screen. partly balances the ledger by Filth plunging wildly over the top and, in its crooked central cop – a man who would give Harvey Keitel’s Bad Lieutenant a run for his money – finally shows that James McAvoy can play a grown-up role without resorting to cuteness. He plays corrupt and bigoted Bruce Robertson, working on a murder case, trying to ruin his colleagues to gain promotion, and struggling with a drug habit and his sanity. An ending involving tears is not unpredictable.

Enders Game is a tricky proposition – space action but based on books with considerable moral complexity. It sits in the same general territory as Starship Troopers: there are giant bugs out there in space and we’ve got to train our young folk to kill them before they kill us. But the young folk are younger this time, 14-ish, since at that age they have better reactions and can be more easily trained. It’s a good effort – there’s some cool sci-fi stuff on display – and while it pulls back from the more difficult issues raised, at least they’re raised.

Writer (Juno) and now director Diablo Cody brings her unique sense of off-kilter humour to Paradise . Trapped in ultra-small town Montana, Lamb Mannerheim suffers terrible burns in an accident and then uses the insurance money to head to Vegas – having scandalised town with her “progressive” views – and wallow in life’s previously unavailable temptations. Luckily, Russell Brand and Octavia Spencer are on hand to help. Like its heroine the film is alternately sassy and sweet and occasionally overly sentimental. But it’s likeable enough – a fish out of water coming of age tale. I found the recent Prisoners, in which a father abducts and tortures the man who might have kidnapped his daughter to be pretty depressing stuff. But that at least contained broader social comment on intergenerational damage. Daddy’s Little Girl is Australian, similarly-themed, leaner, meaner and even bleaker, and only engaged with the “what would you do?” aspect of things as likeable everyman Derek finds himself in a position to exact revenge on his daughter’s abductor. Do you call the police or, you know, slowly torture someone to death? Clue: there’s an R18 warning for “torture and sadistic violence”.

M O V I E S

With Rialto

The Brats (TBC) - 1hr 35mins

Friday April 4 to Wed Apr 9 131 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke. PLAYING THIS WEEK

THE MONUMENTS MEN

Capitol Cinema 4

(M) Violence.

NEW THIS WEEK

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (2D) (M) Violence.

Matt Damon, George Clooney. True Story. Fri 12:45, 6:00pm. Sat 8:30pm. Sun 6:00 on MEGAscreen! Set two years after we Mon 6:20. Tue 12:30, 6:00. Wed 8:15pm last saw Captain America in The Avengers. MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (2D) Fri 12:50, 5:55. Sat 11:15, (PG) Violence. Fri 3:45. Sat 10:45. Sun 1:00. 8:00pm. Sun 11:00, 5:00. Mon 4:00pm. Tue 3:45pm. Wed 3:45pm. Mon 3:10pm. Tue 12:30, 6:00pm. Wed 8:45pm.

WADJDA

(PG)

DRAMA. With Subtitles.

Info line 573 8055 www.tepukecinema.co.nz

movies PLAYING THIS WEEK IN 3D

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER (M) Violence. SOLDIER (3D) Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson. Steve Rogers struggles to

embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat. Fri 3:15, 8:40. Sat 2:55, 5:45. Sun 2:55, 8:00. Mon 6:00. Tue 3:00, 8:35. Wed 3:10, 6:00pm.

A Saudi Arabian girl, tries to get the funds TRACKS (M) Offensive Language. True Story. to buy a bicycle. Fri 6:05. Sat 3:45. Sun Mia Wasikowska leads this Australian true MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (3D) 5:40. Mon 3:30. Tue 6:05pm. Wed 8:25. story of a young woman who traversed 2,700km of desert on foot. Fri 1:00, 8:00. (PG) Viol. The time-travelling adventures FINAL DAYS of a canine and his adopted son. Sat 11:15, 5:45pm. Sun 1:10, NEED FOR SPEED (2D) (M) Adult Themes 7:40pm. Mon 6:10. Tue 3:20, Sat 12:50. Sun 10:30am. Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots 8:00pm. Wed 3:30, 6:10pm. Fri 3:10. Sat 5:35. Sun 3:10. Tue 8:25pm. POMPEII (3D) (M) Violence. PLAYING THIS WEEK A young slave races to save the woman he loves. FROZEN (G) $10. Sat 10:35. Sun 12:35. NOAH (M) Violence. ADVENTURE, DRAMA. Fri 8:25. Sat 3:15. Sun 8:25. Tue 1:00. Wed 6:05 DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (R16) Sex Scenes, Russell Crowe, Emma Watson. FINAL WEEK (2D) Viol, Drug Use & Off Lang. Based on the True Story. Fri 12:35, 6:00, 8:45pm. 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (2D) (R16) Graphic Viol, Sat 8:00pm. Sun 3:20pm. Tue 1:00pm. Sat 2:15, 5:10, 8:35pm. Sex Scenes & Off Lang. Sun 5:45pm. Wed 8:45pm. THE RAILWAY MAN (M) Viol. True Story Sun 2:00, 7:50. Mon 3:10, VAMPIRE ACADEMY (M) Viol & Sexual References. Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman. BIO, DRAMA. 6:10. Tue 3:15, 5:50, 8:45. Sat 1:00pm. Sun 10:45am. Fri 3:30pm. Sat 1:30pm. Sun 11:00am. Wed 3:15, 6:00pm.

French comedy following Thomas (YouTube sensation Max Boublil) as he meets his future father-inlaw, Gilbert (Alain Chabat), who – disillusioned with his own marriage – persuades the groomto-be not to marry his daughter. Instead, he is encouraged to start a new life of parties and loose women. Soon the bride and her mother have had enough, and the lads realise the price of their newly-won freedom.

The Weekend Sun has two double passes to The Brats for lucky readers who can tell us who is disillusioned with their marriage. Enter online at www.sunlive. co.nz under the competitions section. Entries must be received before Wednesday, April 9. This giveaway is for Rialto Tauranga.

The Weekend Sun

Marathon with added meaning Tauranga runner Brett Willis hopes competitors in the upcoming annual Tauranga Half Marathon will tackle more than a stock-standard 21km race.

Former Heart Racer Brett Willis. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Brett is encouraging participants – when they sign up for the April 13 event – to go the ‘extra mile’ and sign up as Heart Racers. Heart Racers tackle the challenge just as everyone else does, but raise money for the Heart Foundation as they go. Brett – a football referee – signed up as a Heart Racer for the Auckland Marathon last Novem-

ber after three fellow refs suffered heart trouble. “It was my fourth marathon, and during the last two seasons we had two referees who had minor heart problems. One actually had a minor heart attack during a game in Whakatane. “Then last year we had a ref go out with a triple bypass. “I’ve never actually raised money for something before, so I thought it was a great cause.” Brett managed to raise $1450 for the Heart Foundation and is now encouraging all Tauranga racers sign up as Heart Racers for the city’s April 13 half marathon. “It gives you a little extra motivation to get out and do it; and it

Live music to tug at the heartstrings Bay of Plenty residents of all ages are invited to experience the professional sound of live music at Opus Orchestra’s Tauranga concert which will feature “one of New Zealand’s most outstanding emerging opera stars”. On Saturday, April 12, the richly expressive and emotional sound of Opus Orchestra is collaborating with mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew in a one night only performance at Graham Young Youth Theatre. As a prelude to Bianca’s performance, the concert Divine Endings opens with Ravel’s beautiful composition for a deceased princess. Bianca and Opus Orchestra will tug at the heartstrings with the glorious song cycle ‘Summer Nights’ (Nuits d’Eté) by 19th Century French composer Hector Berlioz.

After a successful For Bianca, these songs have a opening concert at the personal significance Hamilton Gardens Fesas she first performed tival, Opus Orchestra the sequence after is launching its 2014 falling in love for the concerts in Hamilfirst time. ton, Tauranga and Adoring French Rotorua. repertoire, Bianca Opus music director visited Paris to study Peter Walls says he French vocal style after can’t wait for the completing her Bachelor concerts to begin. of Music degree at the o n “These songs are NZ School of Music. ra op -s zo Mez w. among my all-time re d n A ca n ia B favourites and it is a thrill to be performing them with a singer who is so at home with the idiom.” The powerful compositions The Weeken Mozart’s ‘K477’and the ‘Haydn to Divine E d Sun has six passes Symphony No 44’ complete a ndings for lu ers who can cky readmemorable programme. te mezzo-sopra ll us the name of the The Tauranga concert is at no Opus O rchestra wil be performin Graham Young Youth Theatre on l g with. Enter onlin April 12 at 7.30pm. Tickets are under the co e at www.sunlive.co.nz available at www.opusorchestra. mpetitions se ction. Entries must org.nz, 0800ticketek and Wednesday, be received before Baycourt. Door sales 6.30pm. April 9. By Zoe Hunter

Footwear sale trading shoes for charity Quality second-hand shoes are available for just a donation at Hikoi Mount Maunganui’s weekend sale. Hikoi, quality outdoor footwear stores, have completed their 11th annual Shoe Trade-In Promotion – and this weekend April 5-6 the Mount store is selling all re-usable second-hand shoes for a donation to charity. All proceeds will this year be given to the Waipuna Hospice. The Shoe Trade-In Promotion sees generous Hikoi customers donate and trade their shoes during March

every year which leaves the Maunganui Road store with re-usable footwear from, high heels to gumboots. In the past, Hikoi – along with customers’ donations – have helped the Kid’s Ark Foundation providing support for under privileged children in East Timor. Hikoi is proud to be involved with promotions like these which show people can get more use out of items they tend to throw away. The weekend sale is at Hikoi Mount Maunganui, doors open 9am. By Zoe Hunter

gives you more determination to get to the end. I can well recommend it, it’s a great cause.” Heart Foundation heart health advocate for Tauranga Sandy Ritchie says the foundation relies on the community’s support to fund its lifesaving work. “Being a Heart Racer provides a fantastic opportunity to combine the challenge of completing an event, with a challenge to raise funds.”

On average, one New Zealander dies every 90 minutes from heart disease, and many of the deaths are premature and preventable, says Sandy. “No one knows when their family might be affected. Signing up as a Heart Racer can help save lives.” To sign up, visit www.heartfoundation.org.nz The Tauranga Half Marathon is on By Corrie Taylor April 13.

The Weekend Sun

trades & services

No more trips to the dump

Bay Comp Garden Bags director Colin Watson.

Tired of spending the weekends cleaning up the backyard? Or cleaning the car after being to the dump? Bay Comp Garden Bags has the answer.

Established in 1989, Colin Watson has owned Bay Comp Garden Bags since 1994 and would like to thank all of his loyal customers. Bay Comp installs a 300 litre or 600 litre garden bag in customers’ backyards and offers a four-weekly pick-up of garden waste, which frees up time going to the dump, he says. Being 100 per cent locally owned and operated, they service Waihi, Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and surrounding districts.

Moving earth RD Digger owner Lance Hare says now is the time to get the lawns sowed and ready for autumn – and he has the tools to help. Lance’s Mount Maunganui-based company specialises in earth moving, levelling, trenching, site clearing and soak holes. He can also remove an existing lawn and replace it with top soil. Deliveries are also available with Lance able to pick-up, deliver and spread sand or dirt onto the required site with his dingo and tip truck.

broken window handle? • • • •

Lance Hare, owner of RD Digger. Narrow spaces are not a problem, as Lance’s machinery can access places bigger machines can have difficulty reaching. With everything now in full bloom after summer, Lance says now is the time to get the lawns tidied and sowed ready for autumn. Lance can also clear calf sheds in Te Puke, and as far as Katikati, by removing and replacing old sawdust. Starting off as a one-man band, Lance developed the business with his wife Sharon last year. By Zoe Hunter

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Simon Bridges MP will meet with constituents most Fridays at 184 Devonport Rd, Tauranga. Appointments necessary

P: 07 579 9016 | E: taurangamp@parliament.govt.nz

www.national.org.nz

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THIS WEEKS THIS WEEKS GARAGE SALES!

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10B BORONIA PLACE. This Saturday from 9am. Artist gear, reasonably priced canvas, brushes, oil & acrylic paints, paintings, power tools, computer & electronic gear, camping gear, heaps of quality stuff.

PAPAMOA 50 KEEPA CLOSE. This Saturday, 8am start. Paint Garage Sale. Interior, exterior, decks, fences, pools, roofs. Dulux, Resene, Wattle. $5/litre. JUST $19 with FREE signs & price stickers!

art sale ART SALE April 4, 5 & 6 from 10am - 6pm. Large variety of paintings and drawings by established professional artist Garry Osborn. Garry’s Gallery 44 Westminster Drv, off Cambridge Rd. Ph 578 6496

arts & crafts SCHOOL HOLIDAYS are coming! Our timetable is out now. Call in or email us for your copy. 2 weeks of creative fun. Come and be inspired with kiln ﬁred glass jewellery, mosaic and ceramic painting classes at Clay Art Studio, Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga. Ph 571 3726 clayartstudionz@gmail.com

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trades & services ROOFING new roofs re-roofs spouting and repairs. Free quotes. Ph Chris 027 276 6348 or 572 3237

25% OFF SALE Gifts, pots, perinials, shrubs, at Craigs Garden Centre 1603 SH29, Tauranga, beside Kaimai Café. Open 9-4, closed Tuesdays. Ph 578 6403

72 SHERWOOD ST, Saturday 5th April from 8.30am. Moving houses! Items of all nature, both big and small for sale.

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dancing BALLROOM DANCE PARTNERS required, aged between 10-18 years. No experience needed. Ph 07 544 2337

DO NOT CONFORM any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

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, some conditions apply. 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 HOLDEN COMMODORE wagon 1996, 188,000 kms, automatic, WOF/rego, needs a little TLC. $2,100 ONO. Ph 027 699 8356

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

gardening GARDEN MAINTENANCE tree pruning, hedge trimming, rubbish removal, section tidy ups, odd jobs, WINZ quotes, affordable prices. Ph Philip 0800 334 453 or 544 5591 after 7pm. GARDENER, efﬁcient, experienced, knowledgable; maintenance, pruning, hedges, disease/pest control, rubbish removal, garden renovations. Ph Tita 027 654 8781 or a/h 542 0120

health & beauty MOBILE HAIRCUTS - we come to you! All ages. Group discounts. Ph 543 3284 or 021 037 5704 or book online www.cutsandstyles.co.nz NATURAL NEW ZEALAND Health Products. Something for everyone. NZ Registered Natural Therapies & Natural Medicine Practitioners. Opposite BP Te Puke. Ph 573 5533 www.naturaltherapiesnz.com and www.kiwikitz.com

lifestyle coaching FEELING LOST? Want to reconnect with self. Regain purpose, clarity and joy each day. Ph Chris at Balanced Success Coaching 027 548 2548 chris@balancedsuccess.co.nz www.balancedsuccess.co.nz

livestock AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses. Ph 0800 369 6269

lost & found HELP - Has anyone seen our Amber? Tabby/white, female, 3 year old cat. She has been missing since 26 February from Bethlehem (Mayﬁeld). Her family (and dog) are really missing her. Ph 579 3118 or 0274 898 035. PURPLE RIMMED prescription spectacles in Bayfair. Reward offered. Ph 07 218 8879 SPCA FOUND Kittens, Various Colours, Various Locations, Greerton, Tabby & White Male Cat, ref# 19971, Judea, Tabby Male Cat, ref# 19960, Oropi, Grey/ Torti Female Cat, ref# 19966, Gate Pa, Ginger Tabby Female Cat, ref# 19993, Paengaroa, Staffy x Puppies, ref# 19982-19984. Ph SPCA 07 578 0245

mobility MOBILITY SCOOTERS wheelchairs walkers & more. Visit or showroom 29 Burrows St, Tauranga. Ph 578 1213 MES ‘Supporting your independence’ STAIRLIFTS – Make life easy with a stairlift enjoy the home you love by installing an Acorn Stairlift. Ph us now TOLL FREE 0800 782 475 or www.acornstairlifts.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 BUILDING / ROOFING Repairs, maintenance, spouting, cleaning, gutters, decks, fences & more! From alterations to new work. Registered Builder. Ph 575 8869 or 022 121 3356 ELECTRICIAN No hot water? Need surge protection? Heatpump installations. Plus 8kW single phase generator for hire. Ph today 0274 494 166 pete.res@xtra.co.nz GARDENING SECTION CLEAN ups, weeding, light pruning, plants planted, pebble gardens made, painting etc. Semi retired active gent. Ph Eric 577 1988 GUTTERING CLEAN and repairs moss removal. Experienced Certiﬁed Roofer. Free quotes. Ph Peter now 542 4291 or 0274 367 740 HANDYMAN - AVAILABLE to paint your house. Experienced and reliable. Ph Tony 027 418 1515 or 218 0229. Enquire about any other odd jobs too. HANDYMAN BUILDING and section maintenance, decks, fencing, pergolas, painting, water blasting, odd jobs. Free quotes Ph Rossco 027 270 3313 or 544 5911 INSECT SCREENS Measure. Make. Mend. Ph Rob at Magic Seal 543 4940 PAINTER A1/ DECORATOR available. All interior & exterior work. Prompt, reliable, excellent references. Ph Paul 576 4793 or 027 689 6252 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 ROOF PAINTING and maintenance. Roofs rescrewed. Waterblasting, moss removal. Free quotes! Ph Mark 543 3670 or 021 0273 8840 ROOF REPAIRS metal or onduline gutters & down pipes clean or replacement chimney repairs. Certiﬁed Roofer over 30yrs experience Free quote. Ph Peter 542 4291 or 027 436 7740 PAINTER prompt reliable service at reasonable rates, 12 years experience. Ph Richard 576 9964 or 027 621 9993 Free quotes

STUMPINATOR STUMP Grinding free quotes & prompt service. Narrow machine to access rear yards. Ph 576 4245 or 022 076 4245 TAURANGA Tandem Skydiving Best Buzz in the Bay, Gift Vouchers. Ph 574 8533 TILER QUALIFIED TILER references available free quotes all types of work done from kitchen splashbacks to full tiled bathrooms. Ph Nelson 021 609 289 TIMBER RETAINING WALLS decks and all types of fencing. Excellent work at a competitive price. Ph Clive 021 048 2833 or 552 6510 TREE SHRUB and hedges trimming, topping removal, rubbish removal, satisfaction guaranteed free quote. Ph Steve Hockly 571 5958 or 027 498 1857

transport DRIVING MISS DAISY relief for busy families. Let us take care of the transportation of your parents to appointments or outings. Safe, friendly, reliable service. Ph Jackie from Driving Miss Daisy 552 6614

travel & tours A DAY TRIP to see “ANNIE” the international musical direct from U.K. “A” reserve seats for two matinees still available, others fully booked. John’s Trips & Tours, ph 576 9305 AWE - INSPIRING: - THE LION KING SHOW, SYDNEY in August. Contact us about our many inspiring tours. Door to door service. Free newsletters. Ph The Hinterland Team of Hinterland Tours 07 575 8118 NO.8 TOURS receive your free Newsletter, enjoy VIP pricing for great day and overnight tours throughout NZ. Ph 579 3981

wanted ANTIQUES, COINS, medals, china, glass, Kiwiana, Australiana, militaria, toys, anything old and interesting. 021 392 913 or 07 549 0139 mark.holwerda@vodafone.co.nz RETIRED CARPENTER/ JOINER to share skills to a mature novice. Willing to pay for tuition from 2 hrs to 1 day/wk. Please ph Alison 022 102 5157

wanted to rent 2 BDRM urgently required in Papamoa by young couple expecting ﬁrst child shortly. Ph 021 071 0958 or 022 317 4785 FULL TIME WORKING 24yr woman looking for a room in Tauranga/ Mount/ Papamoa area. Has a very well behaved medium sized dog. Please ph or text Molly 027 959 3002

The Weekend Sun

Learning from history a fascinating experience This month we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gate Pa. A significant event in the history of Tauranga, it will have more meaning for some, depending perhaps on our heritage and ancestry.

Sunday Gatherings 10:00 am Mount Sports Club 51 Miro Street Blake Park The Mount

www.stlukeschurch.org.nz

History is a fascinating thing. The older we get, (at least for me) it seems to take on a greater intrigue. Our children may not have a passion for learning history, but it can be a great teacher. For example, when we visited two of my favourite places, Paihia and Russell, in the Far North, we learn it was there the first book was printed in New Zealand. It was the New Testament of the Bible, and in Maori. In a place where there was so much debauchery and immorality in the early days of English settlement, a Bible was produced. I wonder if the general population of good old Aotearoa know just how much of the history of both Maori and Pakeha is intertwined? And owes such a heritage to the Gospel and the work of the early Missionaries? In the Far North you can’t go far without knowing Missionaries were there faithfully serving and preaching the Gospel, and prominent local tribesmen and chiefs, who had become Christians, became peacemakers and

proponents of the Gospel. Even in our own Gate Pa story, there are acts which can only be described as motivated by a change of heart, brought about by the conversion of Maori. A code of conduct, or rules of warfare, was drawn up which both sides agreed to. One of which comes directly from the Bible. Proverbs 25:21: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink”. I hope New Zealanders get to know more and more of the true heritage of the Gospel in our land. We should remember and celebrate that history. The tenants of faith set out in the Bible and preached faithfully, and at great cost by our missionaries became the foundation stones for our modern world. Despite our beliefs, our school curriculums and our children need to know what really happened. They need to know our missionary fathers were true Kiwi heroes. By Pastor Stephen Whitwell, Elim Christian Centre Tauranga

Life’s hard, but God is our refuge God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. So say the opening words of Psalm 46.

Time and time again I have experienced the truth of those words in my own life, and seen it in the lives of many other people. Life is not all easy when one gives his heart to Jesus, however the Christian does find and experience the peace of the Lord when we call upon Him to help in those troubling times we all suffer. I encourage all who read this column today to dust off your Bible and read this Psalm of great hope. Hope for me is having a confident expectation that God will deliver on His promises. In page after page the Bible i.e. The Word of God, speaks of the promises available to us as believers in Jesus Christ. As we read His amazing words our hope and faith will rise, assisting us to overcome today’s problems – whether they be health, financial, family or whatever. The Christian Church is still a place of great hope and the love is still as great as it was 2000 years ago. By Grand Hynds, The Well

The human factor of implementing God’s solutions Often in God, criticism of Him only embitters and distances us from the one who is able to best comfort us in our pains. Resolute Bible Conference 2014 shall look more closely at how we humans naturally respond to God when suffering, looking at the many provisions the Lord has set in place ready for us to utilise when life gets difficult. Whether it’s health, relationships or financial problems, God has an intimate knowledge of them as “nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight” (Hebrews 4:13), and He seeks to use these very pains to bring us into a closer, more dependent relationship with Himself. One where we see our circumstances from His perspective, where we grow to understand the purpose behind the difficulties, and where we can identify the specific remedies He has provided. We shall turn to God’s Word, the Bible. There we shall find the answers to age-old questions that well up from within us when we suffer. In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 the apostle Paul explained their hardships and that they: “…were under great pressure, far beyond their ability to endure, so that they despaired even of life...”. Paul continued that: “…this happened that they might not rely on themselves but on God…”. You are invited to join us as were explore how to rely on God during the seemingly unbearable pains of life. Check it out at www.resolute.org.nz By Lincoln Forlong, Bay Bible Fellowship

www. www.

.org.nz .org.nz

Sunday Services 9:30am & 6:00pm Come along!

07 576 5387 252 Otumoetai Road www.citychurchtauranga.org.nz

High calibre cricket The Northern Knights are aiming to add a second domestic trophy to their cabinet this summer when they take on the Wellington Firebirds in the Ford Trophy final at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval. After dispatching the Canterbury Wizards by four wickets in their preliminary final at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the side has won the advantageous right to host tomorrow’s final. The Knights have already tasted success this summer, lifting the HRV Cup T20 trophy for the first time and booking their ticket to the lucrative Champions League Twenty20 later this year. And the Black Caps early exit from the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh may also mean the side is bolstered by the return of some national players, including Kane Williamson, Anton Devcich and Trent Boult. Already this summer the Bay Oval has taken centre stage as an international cricket venue hosting HRV Cup T20 matches, ICC World Cup qualifiers and the last two games of the T20 Women’s International series, between the White Ferns and the West Indies. And the final stanza of the Ford Trophy, in effect the NZ Cricket one-day championship, will bring home a number of players who have travelled the Bay of Plenty Cricket pathway. Northern Knights skipper Daniel Flynn along with Graeme Aldridge, Jono Boult, Joe Carter, Brett Hampton and Bharat Popli are all Bay products while Kane, Trent and Cory Anderson have all worn the Knights strip this season. The Firebirds get the chance to challenge the Knights for the title after beating the Canterbury Wizards in Wednesday’s preliminary final. The Ford Trophy final starts at 10am tomorrow, finishing about 7pm at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

By Luke Balvert

RENTALS

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The Weekend Sun

Northern Knights batsman Daryl Mitchell. Photo by Photosport

REAL ESTATE

You can have your cake and eat it too The 2013 census shows a further slide in the rate of home ownership, which has fallen from 73.7 per cent in 1986 to 64.8 per cent last year. While it’s easy to blame lack of affordability for the increasing number of renters, another significant influence is the preference among Gen X and Gen Y to settle and start families later in life. One of the issues this raises is the sooner you start saving, the longer you have interest compounding for you – and a delay of 10 years can substantially reduce the value of your retirement nest egg. Youngsters may think owning a house ties you down and makes it hard to move for work or a relationship. However those restrictions don’t apply to owning rental property. Getting into the habit of putting some money each payday into a growth asset is a good way to build a long-term asset and avoid the risk of wasting money on fripperies. And a rental property can provide a roof over your head if your circumstances change – even though it may not be your perfect home. There is a reasonable supply of affordable rental properties in Tauranga. If you can raise a 20 per cent deposit then for as little as a $5 per week “top up” after tax benefits you could cover the costs of

owning a house costing $250,000. This can rent for $300 per week, including the cost of having the property professionally managed, so you don’t have to worry about collecting rents and fixing blocked toilets. Allowing for capital growth of only 3 per cent per year – which is pretty conservative and a lot less than the 5.5 per cent annual increase house prices in Tauranga have shown during the last 20 years – then 10 years down the track your $50,000 deposit will have grown to more than $136,000. This will ensure

you’re well on the way to building a useful passive income.

By John Foot,

Action Real Estate

The Weekend Sun

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