Times Media Covid-19 Lockdown Flipbook - 15-09-2021

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LATEST NEWS

LOCKDOWN IN PICTURES PAGES 18-19

IN THIS ISSUE

ANOTHER WEEK AT LEVEL 4 – PAGE 3

A LOAD OF RUBBISH PAGE 5

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TE PURU UPGRADE PAGE 21

BUSINESSES DOING IT TOUGH

IN LOCKDOWN The owners of an east Auckland business are speaking out about the challenges they’ve faced caused by the Covid-19 lockdowns.

By Zoe Garden Local residents Rachel Emmanuel and her husband own and operate the family-run online children’s clothing store Paul and Paulie.

“It is a tribute to my dear father Henry Paul,” Emmanuel says of its name. “Dad encouraged me to be bold, adventurous and kind.”

Paul and Paulie is a values-driven business, she told the Times. Their cotton is organic cotton from India. It’s certified by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and grown without fertilisers and pesticides.

Emmanuel was a teacher at Howick College who specialised in food nutrition and technology. In 2014 she was diagnosed with double cancer and underwent treatment in hospital. “The staff and students at the college were amazing,” she says.

Eventually she transferred from being a teacher to the director, co-owner and designer of Paul and Paulie. “I love creating and making things,” Emmanuel says.

The first hit the business suffered was last year. Due to the widespread impact

of Covid-19 and the first lockdown, when the business was starting out, their shipment of winter clothing was delayed by seven months. It was ordered in February and arrived in October. “We got winter clothing in summer!” Emmanuel says.

The second hit was that prior to the current lockdown they put money into upcoming baby shows they were displaying their clothing in. “Now the money is held up in there,” she says. “It’s been cancelled twice now.”

Paul and Paulie is a small local business that runs an online clothing store.

Emmanuel and her husband attend markets and small and big events to sell their products. “We went to the Queen’s Birthday [public holiday weekend] event at the Cloud and often go to the markets at Devonport and Takapuna,” she says.

Most of their business is centred on building rapport and trust with their customers through their market trips, events, and word-of-mouth, as their online presence is limited as their business is new. They’re unable to do this during lockdown and cannot do

deliveries until level four. Luckily they have received the Resurgence Support Package from IRD.

The whole market and local business community has been affected, Emmanuel says. “Some have been made redundant. A friend of mine’s store just opened in Pakuranga Plaza. Another friend has a cafe in Brookby. Both were doing really well.”

The community has been incredibly supportive during lockdowns she says.

“We look after one another. Everyone is great.”

And despite the setbacks she’s positive about the future. “We have future events planned,” she says. “It’s exciting.”

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MAYOR: STAY THE COURSE

ALERT LEVEL 4 UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured) says level 4 lockdown remains the best option to contain the Delta virus.

Ardern announced on Monday Auckland is to remain at Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm next Tuesday September 21 and will then likely drop to Alert Level 3.

Mayor Phil Goff is urging Aucklanders to stay the course and stamp out Covid-19 by continuing to follow the Alert Level 4 rules and by getting vaccinated as soon as possible.

The rest of NZ will remain at Alert Level 2. Cabinet will review these settings next Monday. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health yesterday reported 15 new cases in the community – all household contacts of existing cases.

“Aucklanders have made a massive effort over the past four weeks to keep New Zealand safe from Covid-19 and I want to thank everyone for their hard work,” he says.

There were 33 cases in the community on Monday.

“Another week in lockdown will be really tough for our communities and for businesses, but it is absolutely necessary if we are to once again beat the virus and return to life with fewer restrictions.

POLICE ISSUE MOO-VE ALONG DIRECTIONS Sixty-one people have been charged with a total of 65 offences as part of Auckland Police compliance operations since Alert Level 4 was enacted. Of these, 51 were for Failing to Comply with Order (Covid-19), 11 for failure to comply with direction, one for failing to stop (Covid-19-related), and two for assaults/ threatens/hinders/obstructs enforcement officer. In the same time period, 141 people were formally warned for a range of offences.

“To date, police have received a total of 7331 105-online breach notifications relating to businesses, mass gatherings or people in Tāmaki Makaurau,” a NZ Police spokesperson said.

Around a third are in relation to businesses and 60 per cent are in relation to mass gatherings, Police said.

Police say the numbers of vehicles

passing through the checkpoints remains low, and only a small number of vehicles are continuing to be turned around.

“This shows our community is overall following the rules and ensuring they have the correct documentation ready to show our staff on the checkpoints,” the spokesperson said.

Police staff did get a surprise when some local four-legged residents decided they wanted to try to breach the strict border restrictions. Forty cattle stampeded from a paddock onto Mercer Ferry Road before Police staff managed to herd them onto Orams Road. “The cattle soon realised the grass was not greener on the other side and started to head back to their own property facilitated by Police, Defence Force staff and the farmer at the property,” Police said. “Police decided to let the cattle off with a warning on this occasion.”

“The delta variant has changed the game which means it is taking longer than it did previously for case numbers to come down, but our strategy is working so we must persevere.

“We’ve come this far, let’s finish the job. If you haven’t already done so, get vaccinated as soon as possible—this is the best way to protect everyone against Covid – 19 and reduce the likelihood of further lockdowns.

“Keep following the Level 4 rules by staying home unless accessing essential work or services and sticking to your bubble. If we all keep working together we can once again eliminate Covid – 19 and rejoin the rest of New Zealand at a lower level of restrictions.”

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TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – 3

Puzzle Page Cryptic Puzzle ACROSS

6. Corot isn’t a surrealist artist! (10).

8. It’s providence that brought him back (4).

9. Part of the money spoken of (4).

10. I don’t approve of that gold coach (5).

11. A small-time philosopher? (4).

12. When the starter’s pistol goes when one doesn’t feel well (3,6).

16. The starting price is very good (5-4).

20. Break in the game (4).

22. Ask for, from the community (5).

23. Take the boy back a soft drink (4).

24. Imprison the band the policeman caught (4).

25. Beforehand warning, as an insurance against (10).

For solutions flick through to page 23

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NO. 8027

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1. Stop and fire (3,3).

2. Floods of tears brought about by the writing (7).

3. The underside of the key has a strange motto on it (6).

4. Name and age of the little creature (6).

5. Is awake and sits up right through it (5).

7. Bank the gold, going off East (5).

13. Shy about having a drink. It would be incorrect (3).

14. Chatter about the Spanish minister (7).

15. Give aim and there’s a cry (5).

17. Certainly I must ave a day to go into it (6).

18. The coat’s turned up again inside, which is funny (6).

19. The twin boys combine to be very noisy (6).

21. Hock to pay off a woman (5).

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Quick Puzzle

NO. 726

ACROSS

Sudoku

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NO. 8027

DOWN

Combine (10) Way (4) Company (4) Colour (5) Tug (4) Dynamo (9) Fruit (9) Overtake (4) Italian food (5) Quote (4) African (4) Mixture (10)

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Drink (6) Plunge (7) Country (6) Wood (6) Jolly (5) Shrewd (5) Weight (3) Spot (7) Range (5) Demand (6) Paint (6) Dormant (6) Foam (5)

EE

FR

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4 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

2021 |

1

IS THIS EAST AUCKLAND’S MESSIEST STREET? ish are Large piles of illegally dumped rubb Bush.

Flat et, seen in Elevation Stre

often

Times photo Wayne Martin

By Chris Harrowell If there was an award given for the messiest street in east Auckland, Elevation Street in Flat Bush would be a strong contender to take out first place.

It runs off Thomas Road, which is itself off Murphys Road, and is in an area that’s seen rapid housing construction in recent years. Turn into Elevation Street and the first thing seen, apart from two-storey homes being built, is piles of illegally dumped rubbish by the roadside.

Council waste solutions general manager Parul Sood says Elevation Street has been a problem area for illegal dumping since before the current Covid-19 level four lockdown.

Prasad and her husband have seen men illegally dumping rubbish from a van in Elevation Street. It happened just before 6pm one night in late August.

“We have increased checks, will be putting up more signs and continue to clean up the area when we’re aware of new rubbish being dumped there.

We urge people to report this kind of activity [by phone] to 0800 NODUMP.”

“They sometimes park in a spot for a while to make sure no one is watching them and then throw it out,” she says.

One large pile comprises a large roll of carpet, cardboard boxes, full black rubbish sacks, a box of empty beer bottles, a box that once contained a new flat screen TV, children’s toys, plastic buckets, household furniture, and more. Further up the road there’s an area of grass in front of houses under construction that’s covered in dozens of empty beer bottles. Elsewhere there are more piles of illegally dumped rubbish, large car tyres, and furniture.

Ravina Prasad knows how bad the problem is as she and her husband are the only family living in the street currently.

“We moved here a few days before lockdown began,” she told the Times.

“I said to my husband we need to do something about this [rubbish dumping].”

“We shouted at them to stop throwing their rubbish. We’ve seen a few people hanging out where the beer bottles are.

There are a couple of cars that always park in that spot for an hour or two.”

Prasad says seeing so much rubbish in the street has an impact on her family and she’s reported what she’s seen to Auckland Council.

“We moved here from a clean street and we think to ourselves, ‘Did we pay top dollar to move here and be a watchdog to people [dumping rubbish]?’

We have to save the environment and the planet, not just for today but for tomorrow.”

Sood says the council is working with builders and construction companies at new developments to look at how their waste is being dealt with.

“Illegal dumping in these new build areas is an issue we’re keenly aware of.

While a very small number of people take advantage of relatively isolated areas with few residents, they need to be aware Auckland Council does investigate and track down those responsible. People caught illegally dumping [rubbish] face instant fines of $400 and on successful prosecution, up to $30,000.

“It’s not just harming the neighbourhood and the environment. There are consequences for illegal dumpers.”

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TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – 5

MORE SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS MP for Botany

Christopher Luxon

business owners are experiencing high levels of anxiety and stress, with many operating with zero revenue in Alert Levels 4 and 3 and operating at severely reduced capacity during Level 2.

There is no doubt small business is in Botany’s bloodstream. In East Tamaki alone, we have over 2000 businesses that employ 30,000 people generating $3 billion for the New Zealand economy every year.

No doubt the Wage Subsidy and also the Resurgence Support Payment have helped small businesses, but rent is the most significant cost and while some commercial landlords are cutting their tenants slack, others are not.

What’s common to all these business owners is they are exceptional people who take a risk, borrow and raise money to start a business, develop a business model and build loyal customers and employees. Most importantly, they work incredibly hard – not eight hours a day for wages, but often 24/7.

The Resurgence Support Payment doesn’t really go far when you factor in significant costs like unexpected stock wastage, insurance, rates and the fact that the one-off payment is dependent on the number of employees a business has.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are especially important to New Zealand’s economic recovery and future.

They make up 97 per cent of all Kiwi enterprises and employ more than 70 per cent of our people.

In times of maximum uncertainty, we need to build the confidence of these business owners and give them predictable and supportive government policies that will create economic growth. If we do that, they will be encouraged to invest in upgraded facilities and hire more staff.

However, small business owners need help urgently just to survive this Covid-19 lockdown and continue to play a significant role in New Zealand’s economy, as well as providing employment all over the country. Kiwi

to 50 per cent of their assessable rent and associated building operating costs being paid by the Crown, on the condition that the landlord contributes a 25 percent discount on the rental costs for the duration of the period the Rental Support Payment is provided to the small business owner. Ultimately, this leaves just 25 per cent of the rental costs to be paid by the tenant.

In order to ensure any rental disputes can be settled quickly, the Government In times would prioritise of maximum emergency uncertainty, we need arbitration to build the confidence of services when small and medium business requested by either the tenant owners and give them or landlord. predictable and supportive

government policies that will create economic growth.

National’s Shadow Treasurer, Andrew Bayly, has developed what I think is an excellent proposal for a Rental Support Package that he is urging the Government to adopt in order to take pressure off both tenants and landlords.

A majority of OECD countries have some form of Covid-19 rental support for SMEs and National wants to secure the same for Kiwis.

Under our proposed Rental Support Package, small businesses who have seen a 40 per cent drop in their revenue under either Level 4 or 3 will be entitled

The policy would draw down on any remaining unallocated balance in the Government’s Covid Response and Recovery Fund (CRRF). It clearly supports an economic response to Covid-19 with demonstrable benefits – unlike a lot of the spending that has been funded out of the CRRF to date.

Our Rental Support Package would alleviate hardship on businesses and prevent the harmful knock-on effect on the economy and society should businesses fall over. I hope the Government sees it for the constructive proposal that it is and gets to work implementing it as soon as possible.

• Christopher Luxon is MP for Botany

TIMES BACK AFTER HACKING The Times’ server was hacked into last week. The cyber attack – which coincides with attacks on several servers of large Kiwi organisations – meant Times computers were out for a day.

data was lost or compromised.

Cyber attacks – DDoS (distributed denial of service) – were targeted at ANZ, NZ Post, Kiwibank, MetService and the Ministry for Primary Industries. The Times managing director Reay Neben is thankful no

“When all the banks and big organisations were having cyber issues our system went down as well. This happened a few years ago too and we then had to pay a ransom to get our files back.

“This past month has been difficult enough trying to operate under Level 4 lockdown but last week our operation was hacked,” she said.

6 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

“Luckily this cyber-attack happened after our back-ups were completed but, nevertheless, both the cloud and server files took over 24 hours to become operational.

“We think our Times name makes the hackers think we are a huge organisation but the results are the same and that’s to cause havoc which they certainly did to us.

Our IT people, Imagetext, were amazing.”

SUPERMARKETS JOIN LIST OF COVID LOCATIONS

By Chris Harrowell Two east Auckland supermarkets have been named as locations of interest in the latest Covid-19 community outbreak.

The Ministry of Health revealed on September 7 the new locations are New World Botany, 588 Chapel Road, on Saturday September 4, 5pm6.30pm, and Pak’nSave Botany, 501 Ti Rakau Drive, on Saturday September 4, 4.40pm-5.40 pm.

The ministry says people who were at these supermarkets at these times are to self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 14 days after they were exposed at the locations.

If symptoms develop, people should get a test and stay at home until they get a negative Covid test result and until 24 hours after symptoms resolve.

New World Botany posted a message about being a location of interest on its Facebook page.

The company wrote: “Our teams have been working to Alert Level 4 protocols since Tuesday 17 August, which means the store has been cleaned multiple times throughout the day, has implemented increased sanitisation procedures and mandatory mask wearing for customers and staff.

“These are all aspects which are designed to keep our team and customers safe. It’s been a challenging time for everyone.

“We know it’s not easy shopping in Alert Level 4 and while we are running a bit lean, we remain open. We ask you to please bear with the team as they work to meet your needs.”

The New World and Pak’nSave in Botany join a growing list of local locations of interest in the latest Covid-19 outbreak.

Businesses previously announced as locations of interest include: Kwality Mini Bazaar, 5/2 Bishop Dunn Place, Flat Bush, 2.30pm-4pm on Thursday 26 August; Zone Bowling and Timezone Botany, 500A Ti Rakau Drive, on Saturday 14 August, 12.15pm12.30pm; Nandos Botany, 1 Town Centre Drive, Botany Town Centre, on Monday 16 August, 12pm-12.45pm; KFC Botany Downs, 452 Ti Rakau Drive, on Tuesday 17 August 10.30am10.40am; Countdown Botany, cnr Te Irirangi Drive and Ti Rakau Drive, on Tuesday 17 August 10.20am-10.30am; Countdown Botany, on Saturday 28 August, 9.26am-10am; Subway East Tamaki, cnr Springs Rd and Kerwyn Avenue, 1.45pm-2pm on Thursday, August 12; Z Harris Road Service Station, 142 Harris Road, East Tamaki on Monday August 16 from 12pm12.10pm; Bus #70 Pakuranga Town Centre to Botany Town Centre, Tuesday August 17, 9.38am-9.52am on Tuesday, August 17; and Botany Town Centre Bus Stop, Town Centre Drive, on Tuesday August 17, 9.52am-9.57am.

Botany’s New World, Countdown and Pak’nSave supermarkets are among new recent Covid-19 locations of interest.

Times photos Wayne Martin

News media have reported there may have been people from East Tamaki at Central Auckland Church of Christ, 52 Hepburn Street, Freemans Bay on Sunday August 15, 10.15am-12.02pm.

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – 7

LETTERBOX S R E N IN W N IO IT T E P M CO

The first lot of winners of the popular local letterbox competition have been announced.

They were judged by local artist Joel Nicholls.

Competition organiser, Howick businesswoman Bo Burns, said the lockdown creations are fantastic and brought a little fun to the community which is still facing lockdown at Alert Level 4, now running into its fifth week.

“Wow, there are so many wonderful and amazing creations!

It made me happy just seeing them all,” says Nicholls.

“Such a great job to everyone who took part. It was very hard for me to pick any because I wanted to pick them all but Bo said I have to pick, so here they are…”

• 1st Prize: Pink Sea Horse Design • 2nd Prize: Robo Box • 3rd Prize: Galaxy Astronaut • People’s Choice Award - Donkey The competition will stay open until L4 ends “On top of these prizes, we have around 100 spot prizes still up for grabs, so check out the album to see if your letterbox won a spot prize pack and fill the form in to get your prize,” says Burns.

“Thank you to local businesses who helped create some incredible prizes - The Apothecary Licensed Eatery, Daisy Chang, Liquorland Howick, Fundraise Factory, ESA Publications NZ Ltd, Cockle Bay Four Square, Paradice Ice Rink Botany, Vincent Street Auto Centre, Shop Local, Howick New World.

Queries to bo@fundraisefactory.com 8 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

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TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – 9

POLICE SEEK INFORMATION AFTER KNIFE PRESENTED Police are investigating an incident in which a man allegedly presented a knife at several people at an east Auckland beach. A spokesperson for Counties Manukau Police says police received a report about events that unfolded on the afternoon of August 30 at Eastern Beach.

“The incident related to two couples who became involved in a verbal altercation after their respective dogs had an altercation between them,” police said. “During the verbal altercation, which occurred around 5.30pm, one of the males is reported to have presented a small knife,

before then leaving the scene.

“The identity of this person isn’t known at this time, however anyone who saw this incident or has any information about the persons involved is asked to contact police on 105, quoting file 210831/2945.

HOUSE FIRE IN BEACHLANDS

By Zoe Garden A fire damaged two Beachlands properties last week. Fire and Emergency New Zealand received multiple calls to a house fire on First Avenue in Beachlands at 4.44pm on September 8.

Fire and Emergency told the Times that the fire was well-involved by the time Beachlands Volunteer Fire Brigade arrived.

that it originated from the garage.

Two private properties were involved.

The flames were in front of both houses and in the garage with locals suggesting

Fire and Emergency confirm the house next door partially caught fire.

The firefighters “got into an offensive

The fire spread to the house next door; right, the damage can be seen at the side and front of the house. A burnt car also lies in the driveway. interior attack”. The fire was contained within about 50 minutes.

No one was injured. A fire investigator is looking into the cause.

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CCTV

ACCESS CONTROL

Molly Kelsey with her cat Frodo.

SPECIALISING IN FELINE FAMILIES

By Zoe Garden An east Aucklander has made it her goal to help families and their feline members live together in harmony.

Molly Kelsey, from Pakuranga, is a registered Feline Behavioural Consultant who’s worked with cats for more than 10 years. She’s loved animals since she was a child. After finishing school, she studied veterinary nursing and worked as a vet nurse for four years.

Sommerville Veterinary Centre has been her main work place since she started volunteering when at age 17. “I started working there when I graduated from Vet Nurse Plus,” Kelsey says.

She was inspired by her rescue cat Frodo’s various quirks to do her postgrad in feline behaviour. “He ‘mimed’ instead of making an audible ‘meow,’” Kelsey says. “He was an absolutely abysmal hunter, slept like a human does, and was always the little spoon.”

She’s registered with the Pet Professional Guild, International Society of Feline Medicine, and the International Association of Animal

Behavioural Consultants. “For many New Zealand households cats are part of the family,” Kelsey wrote on social media about the services she provides.

“They make irreplaceable companions but sometimes a simple lack of awareness for a cat’s unique needs can cause stress and anxiety which manifests in problematic behaviours such as house soiling and furniture damage.”

Kelsey offers personalised behaviour assessments and consultations, which can be defined as “offering compassionate, practical and affordable guidance”.

“To do this I gather information from owners through conversations, questionnaires, videos and photos of the problem behaviour(s) and floor plans of the home with markers of essential resources or areas of concern. After this takes place, I get to work to create an easy-to-follow behavioural modification plan.”

Her general consultations “facilitate discussing anything and everything feline behaviour related”.

Kelsey told the Times all cats have

12 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

basic needs including food and safe resting places. She says as they progress through life their needs may have to change due to factors such as age or illness. “They have preferences much like us,” Kelsey says.

She says a cat owner’s understanding of “basic body language and essential needs goes a long way to understanding why cats do the things they do and how we can help them live their happiest and healthiest lives”.

Kelsey’s favourite part of working with cats is she learns something new from them, each and every day. “I also love seeing how much joy they bring to others, simply by going through their daily lives.”

Outside of her cats and her work, she enjoys spending time with her rats and dog, embroidery, baking, reading and board games. “I’m also a sucker for continued education,” she says. “There’s just so much to learn.”

Kelsey encourages cat lovers who aren’t in a position to have a cat of their own to foster, to volunteer or donate to their local cat rescue group. “They need all the help they can get.”

RUBBISH DUMPED OUTSIDE CHARITY STORE

By Chris Harrowell Some people are taking advantage of the latest Covid-19 lockdown to declutter their homes, but not in a way that’s productive or legal.

Large piles of what appears to be rubbish and decaying household items have been piling up outside the Salvation Army Family Store in Botany since the level four lockdown began on August 17.

The Times observed a sprawling pile of dumped items outside the Botany Road charity shop on August 20. It included cardboard boxes, clothing and shoes, books, furniture, children’s toys, much of it looking dirty and stained.

At the side of the shop were more items, including a double bed mattress lying on the wet ground, more household furniture, what appeared to be a damaged TV cabinet, toilet paper, and an old and dirty glass bottle.

A sign in the store’s window that states: “Please do not leave donated goods outside of business hours. Thank you”, was either not seen or ignored by the people who created the mess.

The Salvation Army’s Louise Parry says the charity is seeing piles of donations being left outside some of its family stores since lockdown began.

“We appreciate people wanting to

donate things they no longer need, but under level four our staff are not allowed to go into the shops and can’t clear donations left outside our family stores. These items end up getting rained on and blown around, and have to be sent to the tip, not something anyone wants.

“We ask people to hold off donating until we are open and then either drop off the items during our stores’ opening hours, or phone us to find out how they can get them to us. We are urging people to wait until they know we’re open again, and it’s the local council who ends up having to clean up these piles.”

Auckland Council waste solutions general manager Parul Sood says the council has not received a complaint about rubbish dumped at the charity shop in Botany Road, but during previous Covid-19 lockdowns it’s worked with the charity and other shops on the problem.

“It’s unacceptable at any time [to illegally dump rubbish] but particularly for charities when they’re unable to operate during level four,” Sood says.

“When the dumping is on private property, we’re able to provide advice on ways to prevent this occurring, such as installation of signs, fencing and cameras. We also work with stores to investigate illegal dumping that’s caught on camera and often issue fines

A large pile of rubbish piling up outside a charity store in Botany during the level four lockdown. Times photos Wayne Martin

to people leaving items outside charity shops.”

Sood says people caught illegally dumping rubbish, including leaving items outside a shop when it’s closed, face instant fines of $400 and, if successfully prosecuted, up to $30,000.

“If people are tempted to re-organise their garage right now, they’ll have to keep any unwanted items on their property until the services that can’t take them open again. When that happens, remember charity shops only want quality goods they can re-sell. If people give a charity shop things they cannot sell, they’re burdening them with the cost of getting rid of the rubbish.

“If items are potentially re-useable, they should be stored somewhere clean and dry. When the shops start opening, then re-useable items can be taken during opening hours only to see if they are accepted for sale.”

ETHNIC COMMUNITIES GET VACCINATION HELP As the Covid-19 vaccination rollout gathers momentum, ethnic communities have been voicing their concerns about the message not reaching their people.

Language challenges, minimal use of English language media and cultural differences all conspire against the Covid-19 vaccination message reaching Auckland’s diverse ethnic communities, a spokesperson for Independent Living Charitable Trust says.

To overcome this challenge, Independent Living is partnering with the Ministry of Health to provide impartial vaccination advice and support to the Chinese, Korean, Maori and Pasifika communities, through contactless means such as calling, zoom presentations and a website.

Independent Living is a charitable trust supporting people with disabilities and mobility issues. With their existing Asian Information Service team already having strong relationships with these communities, Independent Living’s Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Maori-speaking advisors are well placed to advise and answer questions on the vaccine, testing and other Covid-19 related queries, the trust says.

The Independent Living website contains information on the vaccine rollout including local vaccination centres and frequently asked questions in a variety of languages.

For queries on the vaccination rollout in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Maori, visit www.ilsnz. org or phone the Independent Living advisory helpline on 0800 625 100.

OWAIROA MUMS HOST AUCTION EXTRAVAGANZA “It’s a great way to give back to the A small team of PTA mums, with the community while indulging in a bit support of more than 60 local of retail therapy,” says PTA businesses, are determined to deputy chair Ruth McLaren. create excitement for the “Everybody wins!” east Auckland community Join the event with the first ever and preview the Most of this year’s Owairoa Online Auction items up for auction sponsors are from Extravaganza. on the Owairoa PTA local and small familyFacebook page – owned businesses who Last year’s Owairoa facebook.com/ have donated more than school gala was another OwairoaPTA. $10,000 worth of items, casualty of Covid. services and experiences.

The auction features more than Owairoa PTA says it has been humbled 100 items and events – from a kayak, by the generosity of this year’s personalised mini figurine, kids sponsors. activities, beauty treatments and fine dining to gym memberships, electronic “This has been a challenging time goods, original artwork and even a for all of us,” says Owairoa principal vasectomy.

Alan McIntyre, “but we are excited to bring this new PTA auction fundraiser The Trade Me auction runs from initiative to the community and hope September 17-26 (providing we are at that the outcome will reflect the level 3). All funds raised will go towards positive community spirit that we building a new senior playground for certainly value and appreciate.”

Owairoa Primary School students.

14 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

MP: POLICE MINISTER’S ACTIONS “SHAMEFUL”

By Chris Harrowell Pakuranga MP and National Party police spokesman Simeon Brown is describing the actions of Police Minister Poto Williams as “shameful”.

His criticism relates to his questioning of Williams during a meeting of Parliament’s Justice select committee on August 26.

The meeting was held online due to Covid-19 level four restrictions.

Brown told the committee that only police officers working at Government managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities had been prioritised to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

That left about 60-70 per cent of police unvaccinated at the start of the most recent level four lockdown, he said.

“The Police Association has been highly critical of this.

“Other emergency services were prioritised but not police.

“This has left a huge number of our officers very vulnerable as they have to continue to work even though we are now at level four conditions with the Delta strain.”

Brown asked Williams if she raised concerns about this with Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins when the vaccine rollout programme was being set up.

“I think most New Zealanders and most police officers find it unacceptable,” he said.

Williams said that in March when Cabinet was making decisions about prioritisation and how the rollout would happen, vaccines were “quite constrained”.

“The decision was taken at that time to ensure our most vulnerable, and they were the people working at the border, particularly at MIQ facilities, were prioritised.

Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is criticising the Police Minister for low vaccination rates among frontline officers. Times file photo Wayne Martin “That included the police who are operating at those facilities as part of the border response.

“From that time as more supply has come on board we’ve been able to vaccinate more people.

“The people alongside FENZ (Fire and Emergency NZ) and others who were at the border, those groups were vaccinated first, and then as more supply has come on board that rollout has happened.”

Brown asked Williams several more times during the meeting if she had advocated to Hipkins for all police officers to be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine, but she did not answer with a yes or no.

He told the Times Williams’ “failure” to raise the issue of low vaccination rates of police officers with her Cabinet colleagues is a clear admission the safety of frontline police officers from a Covid outbreak was never a priority for her or Cabinet.

“Only a third of all frontline police officers have been fully vaccinated against Covid, meaning most officers are being put unduly at risk trying to enforce the nationwide lockdown,” Brown said.

“That the Minister and Cabinet failed to prioritise the safety of our frontline police officers is unconscionable.”

Brown says there are more than 10,000 frontline police officers across New Zealand who are needed to keep Kiwis safe during lockdown.

Low vaccination rates are not only an unjustified risk to frontline officers and their families, but also to the public, he says.

“The Police Association raised this issue with the Minister back in May, well before the outbreak of the Delta variant in New Zealand,” Brown says.

“Our police officers are right to be frustrated and angry at the way the Government has treated them.”

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – 15

Feedback ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE – NOT MITIGATION

It was pleasing to observe the responses from Jan & Yashimi Brett and Mary Kennedy (Times, September 7) to my letter (Times August 17) to confirm and reinforcing my commentary that deaths from climate catastrophes have declined by 20-fold over the past 100 years.

Greta Thunberg

I agree that mankind has and will continue to deploy science, medicine, engineering and other human endeavours to adapt and to limit the adverse impacts of unavoidable climate change.

Photo YouTube

DON’T DENOUNCE GRETA

Deanne Smart believes climate catastrophes will not threaten our existence (Times, August 17) and takes Greta Thunberg to task for warning as such.

Accepting that there has been a drop in deaths from disasters since 1920 does not mean that trend will continue though.

Between 1995 and 2017 the incidence of cyclones has increased 50 per cent and of floods, 100 per cent.

The incidence of fires (due to drier conditions) has increased and we have witnessed massive damage to habitat in Australia, the Amazon, Indonesia, the US, Canada, Siberia and parts of Europe in recent years.

Climate change will bring more floods, sea level rise, more fires, more drought and therefore more starvation.

Sir David Attenborough told COP24 (the informal name for the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), “We are facing the greatest threat to the planet for thousands of years. If we do not act now, the collapse of our civilisation and the extinction of the natural world is on the horizon.”

Let’s not denounce Greta for speaking the truth. Why are prophets always ridiculed? Let’s rather devote our energy to solving climate change.

Steve Lincoln Botany Downs

Climate has and always will change no matter the level of anthropogenic contribution to that change. In the meantime, NZ is determined to squander its capable but limited resources at the expense of its economic and social future, with its futile thrust to mitigate climate change through emissions reduction. Our focus needs to be on adaptation.

NZ emits less than 0.17 per cent of global anthropogenic greenhouse gasses while the major emitter, China, at more than 27 per cent of global emissions, is permitted to further increase emissions under the Paris Agreement by > 70 per cent by 2030.

By way of example, China has more than 1000 coal-fired power stations with more than 40 more new giant plants at the planning/build stage.

NZ can have no impact on climate change by impotent yet costly attempts at mitigating that change through reductions in its infinitesimal emissions.

What NZ can do is to shift our limited resources and strategic focus from mitigation to adaptation to anticipate and reduce the impact of climate change and its adverse flow into our economy and societal wellbeing. The scope of such adaptions might include, but not be limited to, practical initiatives such as: • Introduction of diverse horticultural varieties and animal breeds that can sustain and thrive in higher temperatures.

• Urban and rural planning to accommodate the challenges that will come from climate change – flooding,

16 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

sea levels, water management, shade requirements etc • Building Code scope to include insulation and ventilation for warmer rather than cooler climes, treatment of timber to resist termite and other infestation, etc.

• Disease management and control including malaria, bilharzia and the like.

Sadly, it will take a yet-to-be-born generation to wake up and realise the folly of this generation perusing a futile mitigation strategy.

Interestingly the correspondents above imply that the ‘science is settled’. That is a ‘group think’ myth. Climate change science is not settled. That is the very nature of the scientific method. In fact, the Royal Society of London and the National Academy of Science of USA have many Fellow members who do not endorse their societies’ public position on climate change.

May the younger generation be led by curiosity, facts, open minds but not by emotional ideologies – unlike Greta Thunberg.

Deane Smart, Farm Cove

FIGHTING WORDS

Judith Collins, and the National Party, just doesn’t seem to get the picture. The removal of the Sir Winston Churchill painting has nothing to do with “Nazis” and the Greens are informed about history. However, they want nothing to do with Western cultural history.

They are cleaning the slate. This is the same as Nazis burning books, Stalin removing imperial icons, Mao prosecuting the abolition of the “Four Olds” (old ideas, culture, habits, traditions and customs), Pol-Pot resetting Kampuchean history to April 1975, North Korea disestablishing all mementos of their past back to the beginning of the reign of their “Glorious Leader” (Kim Il-Sung) and the Taliban blowing up revered statues of Buddha.

Whether the political agenda be Fascist, Socialist, Communist, Totalitarian, plain barking mad or Theocratic – in all cases the objective is to disestablish, discredit or (preferably) reframe the past – to establish your version of history (the new education agenda), your icons, your ideology. To constantly demoralise and delegitimise the opposition.

Feedback It doesn’t help that Judith (and I lump the whole of the National Party into this ‘collective’) uses the language of the Socialist Left. Fighting the fight on their linguistic battlefield.

National seems stuck in the 90s. Wake up – politics is downstream from culture and you guys are losing the cultural battle. If the best you can do is “…not fight the Greens on the beaches”, then look on the removal of the painting as ‘National’s Normandy’; save what you can, regroup and re-invent yourselves – and please, don’t say ‘re-imagine’.

Dr Mike Schmidt, Sunnyhills

OWNERS NOT PICKING UP AFTER THEIR DOGS

I am a resident in Howick and live off Somerville Road. I use the Mangemangeroa Reserve daily to take my dog for a walk however I am getting more and more frustrated about the number of poos I see that dog owners have not picked up.

This makes non-dog owners annoyed and frustrated with dog owners and I feel it’s just a matter of time before they complain and dogs will be banned from the reserve. I’m asking dog owners to do the right thing.

Gillian Jones, Howick

UVC A TOOL TO FIGHT COVID-19

A recent study in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), investigating using UVC light (UVC refers to ultraviolet light at certain wavelengths) to kill large amounts of the coronavirus in liquid culture found that UVC light exposure completely inactivated the virus in nine minutes.

Another study also published in the AJIC looking at using a specific type of light to kill SARS-COV 2 on laboratory surfaces found that the UVC light reduced the live coronavirus’s effectiveness by 99.7 per cent in 30 seconds.

exposure applied to infected persons and even the sun tanning beds of yesteryear might become new weapons in fighting the virus.

Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay

IPCC REPORT – POSITIVE POINTS THE MEDIA MISSED

Apparently, the media – except the Times – is only interested in proclaiming the negative elements of climate change, not the favourable points.

Much of the Fourth Estate projects its own alarmist and ideological agenda, never a transparent and balanced perspective the public readership, through unwitting patronage, anoints it to. A case in point is the reporting on the latest IPCC 6th Assessment Climate Change Report – 2021. It is a significant 3949-page tome which would be a challenge for most to read cover-tocover.

It does, however, contain some very positive elements that the media has no interest in broadcasting. Some examples: WE ARE NOW SEEING A GREENING OF THE PLANET Changes (favourable) in vegetation productivity have also been observed as well as longer growing seasons.’ (Results in fewer famines.)

ON FLOODS – Confidence is, in general, low in attributing changes in the probability of the magnitude of flood events due to human influence.

Confidence about peak flow trends over past decades on the global scale are low, but there are regions experiencing decreases including countries such as Australia.’

ON DROUGHTS – There is low confidence that human influence has affected trends in meteorological droughts in most regions but medium confidence that they have contributed to the severity of some single events.’

Based on these results, researchers estimated that when applied to current regulatory standards for UVC, UVC could kill 99.9 per cent of airborne coronaviruses in about 25 minutes.

ON EXTREME WINDS – The observed intensity of extreme winds is becoming less severe in the lower to mid – latitudes. There is little evidence for more tornados.’

So as a different approach, hospitals might investigate the use of UVC light

Those with the time and inclination to go beyond the report summary will

discover other positive gems. It’s the responsibility of the media to do this and to bring balance to their columns rather than alarmism.

Deane Smart, Farm Cove

HAVE WE FORGOTTEN ABOUT GOD?

Covid-19 is a manmade evil spread to all nations of the world. It has caused mayhem to all societies cultures and economies. But that is not all we are experiencing at this file in time, earthquakes volcanisms, floods, fires and huge landslides.

The planet is groaning and everything that can be shaken is being shaken.

Now we can add to that wars and rumours of wars. Afghanistan is turning ugly as is the Middle East surrounding Israel. International leadership is at its weakest I’ve ever seen with self-seeking of power rather than the pursuit of freedoms.

Our trusted Western institutions are being revealed as corrupt deep in their core. Godly virtues have been systematically removed and replaced with man’s moral laxity and we are suffering. The world is in a much more dangerous place with terrorism rising and the threat of nuclear war growing as a consequence. It is a call for us to return to our maker’s safety and put Him back as the head of our nations.

Ian George, Howick

NO VACCINE FOR THE IGNORANT

Whatever difficulties lie ahead in decarbonising the economy, with a bit of effort and brain power we could manage it.

The IPCC report, written by 234 of the world’s leading scientists in the field, from 60 countries, after evaluating 14,000 scientific papers and 73,000 review comments, and signed off by 195 governments, makes it clear we are running out of time to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

But, as the late Nobel physicist Max Planck said, science advances one funeral at a time. So the young might just have to wait a while. Even now we have no vaccine for invincible ignorance.

Dennis N Horne, Howick

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – 17

LOCKDOWN IN PICTURES

18 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

Award-winning Times photographer Wayne Martin has been capturing images in and around our area during lockdown.

View photos online to buy www.times.co.nz

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – 19

GAME CHANGERS: A VERY SPECIAL NETBALL TEAM

By Zoe Garden An east Auckland teacher has started a netball team for special needs children.

Kelly Simpson has been teaching for eight years. She used to work at Sommerville School in Panmure and now teaches at Chapel Downs Primary.

Simpson, who used to work with special needs students, told the Times that the idea for forming a sports team came from conversations with her class at Sommerville School. “They wanted to start a sport outside of school. I’ve played netball most of my life so it was a natural progression.”

The team, dubbed Game Changers, meets twice a week – on Thursday for practice and Saturday for their weekly game. It has recently expanded to include kids outside the school. “We have adapted the game rules to suit the team so managing time on court and players moving positions can get complicated,” Simpson says.

“We rely on our amazing on-court helpers Adele Adams and Anel Kieser, our manager Yumiko Suzuki and our empire Natasha Reynolds to help our game run smoothly and we are so lucky to have them.”

Simpson says that her favourite part of the team is seeing the kids have the confidence to get out and play, a thought echoed by the parents.

Rachel Price’s daughter Eden, 14, plays for the side. “It has given her something to do every Saturday,” Price says. “Eden absolutely loves it.”

One side benefit Eden has gained from the team, Price says, is an increase in her fitness. “We were away recently,” Price says, “and for the first time we were able to go for walks as a family.”

Additionally, Eden has formed great friendships with other kids on Game Changers. “They all have a lovely rapport,” Price says.

Adele Carran says her daughter Sammy, 13, has had a similar experience. “She absolutely loves it,” Carran says. “She has something to look forward to throughout the week.”

Being a part of a team has helped Sammy socially. “She’s learnt to put the team’s needs before her own.” It’s also boosted her confidence as it’s pushed her out of her comfort zone, Price says, a factor that their coach Simpson has noticed as well.

“My favourite part of the team is seeing the kids have their confidence to get out and play,” Simpson says.

Sammy, like Eden, has bonded and forged relationships within the closeknit squad.

Tracey Elder’s daughter Hannah, 13, has always held an interest in sports.

“She loves netball and basketball,” Elder says. Being a part of a netball team has strengthened her friendships with kids outside her own school. “She loves going to the practices,” Elder says.

Carran told the Times that that there is a “definite lack of special needs teams in sports”. “There are things like the Paralympics,” Carran says. “But a lot of our kids don’t always fit the criteria.”

Elder says that there are opportunities such as the Special Olympics for special needs children. “It’s not as mainstream,” she says. “For Hannah it’s more her being able to go down to the court and play alongside all the other schools in Howick. She would not get that opportunity at the Special Olympics.” “(Special Olympics) is wonderful, but you don’t really see as many children going

20 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

to play alongside their peers in Saturday sports.”

Game Changers is a recently-formed netball team for special needs.

Price says there are “a fair few things around” but what’s lovely about Game Changers is it “takes the kids outside of just the disability world”. “The kids play against regular teams. There’s not very many spaces where people with disabilities step into the mainstream world. It’s quite unique in that way.

That’s part of the magic of it.”

The opportunity extends to those who don’t often meet people with disabilities as well. “You can tell the change in the opposition,” Price says. “At first they’re a bit unsure about what this is about. By the end they embrace it fully.” “(Game Changers) is just not about our children,” Carran says. “It’s a benefit to society and the community for the opposition players because this might be their first experience with meeting people with disabilities.

Carran says that “watching the barriers neurotypical kids and our special needs kids just falls away with sport. Seeing the opposition’s care and friendship and seeing their skills with playing with our kids have just been remarkable.”

Because of Covid-19, Game Changers have missed their last two games and don’t get to play again until next year.

“We are hoping to play during the summer league season to keep our team together,” Simpson says.

TE PURU PARK TO GET VITAL UPGRADE Te Puru Park at Beachlands will be see improved facilities in the next year.

Auckland Council says that growing player numbers have put pressure on the area’s sports grounds. The new project will increase usable hours by improving lighting Te Puru.

secured, we are able to revive the project. That will see physical works for the lighting taking place in the near future and that will be very welcome news for the park users in the area.”

The increase in floodlit areas will take some pressure off other facilities, such as the Beachlands and Whitford domains.

Fellow representative Malcolm Bell says the exact dates haven’t been confirmed but all work will be done outside the marked playing fields.

“The upgrade went on hold in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Franklin Local Board deputy chair Angela Fulljames says.

“All site works will be fully-fenced and some car parking will be used for storage but, because the lighting poles will also have amenity lights for the footpath and carpark, safety will be improved,” Bell says.

“It was projected not to begin until the 2024 financial year. But some great work from our people meant work to progress the design, consents and tender docs was done, and with budget

A new transformer will be futureproofed to allow for more growth. New LED lights for the existing poles and

Photo Te Puru Community Centre

netball courts will be investigated but will be dependent on tender pricing.

It is envisaged that all the work will be completed by May. Board chair Andy Baker says Covid-19 significantly impacted city and local communities and funding fell dramatically.

“But a lot of people have worked hard to secure funding to make improvements at Te Puru possible and we are pleased the work will go ahead because the park is the sporting heart of the area.

“We want a healthy community that gets out there and stays fit and active.

For that to happen we have to make sure we have good facilities.”

BUTCHER SHUTS AFTER COMPLAINT Wholesale Meats Direct Pakuranga received a complaint from a member of the public for staying open during alert Level 4. Under level 4 rules, butcheries cannot be open to customers.

They agreed to close their doors

for the remainder of lockdown after a visit from police.

They are awaiting further clarification of the alert 4 rules from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – 21

Summer league is all about getting out and enjoying the longer evenings playing netball with your friends and whanau.

HPNC READY FOR

NETBALL SEASON Junior, college and senior summer league netball at Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre (HPNC) is starting soon.

Juniors will play on Tuesdays beginning on October 19. Game times will be 4pm, 4:50pm and 5:40pm for grades Year 3 - 8*.

Fees for Year 3 & 4 are $175 per team, Year 5 & 6 $210 per team and Year 7 & 8, $245 per team.

Registrations close on October 12.

College and seniors play on Wednesdays beginning October 20 with game times at 5:30pm, 6:20pm and 7:10pm.

Grades comprise College Girls, College Mixed*, College Boys, Ladies and Senior Mixed*. Fees are $350 per team. Registrations close on October 13.

It is an eight week season and teams provide their own umpires (*a maximum of three boys can take the court at any

22 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

one time, one in each third).

“Summer league is all about getting out – after being contained to our houses for so long – and enjoying the longer evenings playing netball with your friends and whanau,” said HPNC netball administrator Tracey Limond.

“We’re particularly pleased about offering a college boys grade this year which provides a pathway for boys to continue developing their skills in the game.

“HPNC’s focus is to open up the sport of netball to more and more people who wouldn’t traditionally have had the opportunity.

“Examples are our Game Changers (Sommerville Special School) invitational team, a growing walking netball competition and having all boys teams in our Wednesday schools competition and summer league.

• Competition enquiries to games@hpnc.org.nz, general enquiries to info@hpnc.org.nz. Phone 534 7571 (post lockdown)

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ALL BLACKS ROAST PUMAS Agnew’s Angle

with Ivan Agnew Having roasted Puma 39-0 on the Gold Coast rugby barbeque on Sunday night, the All Blacks selectors still cannot figure out their best team.

It’s not a shortage of talent that has them risking splinters and scratching their heads but a surplus of it.

Among stars not chosen for the Gold Coast massacre against Argentina were Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Sam Whitelock, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga and Will Jordan.

Whereas fans once dreaded their absence, they now welcome the chance it offers others.

In their historic win against New Zealand last year, the muscular Pumas dominated much of the forward battle and tackled like demons. Not this time against a black pack that binded tightly, drove hard and low and ruled ruck and rolling maul.

Just when Asafo Aumua must have thought he was the forgotten hooker, he produced a stunning 40-minute cannon ball rampage before Samisoni Taukei’aho replaced him to confirm his ability.

All eight gave their all with No 8 Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papalii enhancing their workaholic reputation and Akira Ioane happy to do the hard yards after Man of the Match performances in his previous two tests.

Best of all Beauden Barrett was sharp

Beauden Barrett was sharp and inventive, all but reaping two tries with astute kicks for fullback brother Jordie and succeeding in setting up two others. Photo Rugby Addict

and inventive, all but reaping two tries with astute kicks for fullback brother Jordie and succeeding in setting up two others. The best was pure Beaudy magic when he sidestepped three defenders.

Inside, TJ Perenara was at his busy best offering a smart service and strong kicking game.

The David Havili and Rieko Ioane midfield combination continues to shine with Havili performing like a test veteran who times his passes to the speedy Ioane beautifully.

George Bridge remains a complete wing with no obvious weakness and Sevu Reece is a tough, elusive player who spells danger.

Fears that the All Blacks forwards lacked the strength of England in the 2019 World Cup semi-final were realistic though New Zealand were still the only team to beat champions South Africa.

24 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

The improvement this year is pleasing and it was good to see Joe Moody get a late run off the bench after missing so much through injury.

Although injuries have taken a toll, they have opened the door for a talented group who are up for the dance.

All Blacks 39 (Luke Jacobson 2, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Dalton Papalii tries; Beauden Barrett con, pen. Jordie Barrett 3 cons, pen.).

Meanwhile the world champion Springboks suffered a shock 28-26 loss on Sunday night against the Wallabies, falling at the last to a penalty by in-form Quade Cooper some 40m out.

The next three weekends will decide if they retain their number one ranking but they’d need to beat the Wallabies then the All Blacks twice.

• Ivan Agnew is an award-winning sports writer

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E K A B Y L I M A F Y S A E IE N W O R B E T A L O C O CH

We love it when restaurants and cafes share some of their favourite recipes and this one from Annabelle’s Restaurant on the waterfront at St Heliers Bay is sure to be a winner with readers.

Remember you can support your favourite eateries by purchasing vouchers online to be used when dining out (or rather, in) is available again.

CHOCOLATE BROWNIE INGREDIENTS: • • • • • • •

250g butter 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1 1/2 white sugar 4 eggs 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 cup standard grade flour 1 tsp baking powder

METHOD: Preheat oven to 180c bake. Line 18 x 28cm sponge roll tin with baking paper.

Melt butter in a saucepan large enough in which to mix all ingredients. Mix in cocoa, remove from heat and stir in white sugar. Add eggs and mix well, then add vanilla essence.

Sift in standard grade flour and baking powder and mix to combine. Pour into the prepared tin. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until brownie springs back when touched lightly.

GOOD Reads

LONELY PLANET’S ARMCHAIR EXPLORER Remember when we used to have the whole, wide world in our hands? Lockdowns and travel restrictions have kept us from exploring, however we can still plan great. Compiled by travel writers who, collectively, have travelled paths well-trod and off the beaten track, this handy guide also features inspirational lists of books to read, films to watch and songs to listen to from more than 120 countries.

Available from bookstores, Lonely Planet’s Armchair Explorer can also be ordered via www. shop.lonelyplanet.com.

Lonely Planet’s Armchair Explorer | RRP $34.99 | Lonely Planet

BIG DOG, SMALL DOG Whether big, bouncy and boisterous, or quiet, cute and diminutive, no two dogs are the same. While canines make great pets, ensuring they become happy members of one’s family pack requires that we know how to communicate with them, Selina McIntyre contends. In this book, the Waikato-based dog behaviouralist (from Dogs Best Friend) shares some of her secrets to help people guide dogs through everything from fear to change and anxiety.

Selina McIntyre: Big Dog, Small Dog - Make Your Dog Happier By Being Understood | RRP $37.99 | HarperCollins NZ

20 22 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

THE MAGICIAN

An epic novel set during one of most turbulent times in history, The Magician is a fictional portrayal of the life of writer, Thomas Mann. From the enthusiastic nationalism at the outset of the Great War, this book sees its protagonist struggling to come to terms with immense change and bloody conflict.

Colm Toibin: The Magician | RRP $37.99 | Macmillan